QCC Launches First Ever Study Abroad Program

WORCESER, Mass. – On Saturday, March 10 at 3 p.m., a group of Quinsigamond Community College students will depart on the College’s first ever Study Abroad Program.

The Alex Drapos Study Abroad Program was initiated by QCC Professors of English Karl Anderson and Amy Beaudry. Anderson approached the College with the idea to set up at study abroad program to Greece. The project was well received and the College’s Executive Board made an initial gift of $1,500 toward the program. Shortly thereafter, the Foundation mourned the passing of one of its members, Alexander Drapos, and thus began a plan to honor his memory and name the inaugural study abroad trip in his honor.

The support of Pat Toney, Interim Vice President of Academic Affairs, and Maura Stickles, Interim Dean of Instruction for Humanities, was instrumental in getting the program off the ground. With their backing and some initial planning completed, Anderson proposed the idea to his students.

On Saturday the 10th, nine QCC students will board a bus and embark a week-long study opportunity in Greece. The week is largely paid for by the program, with students and staff also helping to raise money for the trip. The trip will augment students’ course material, with highlights based on the readings of Ancient Greece studied in class on campus.

“Part of a liberal education is gaining an understanding of the world,” Professor Anderson stated in his proposal to QCC. “This program fits in well with the College’s ‘multiple perspectives’ goal. An overseas trip would give students a world view.”

Robin Hounslow, a second year student at Quinsigamond, said she thought the idea of a study abroad program was “terrific and insightful.” She immediately applied upon hearing of the opportunity, by submitting an essay explaining what it would mean to have the opportunity to learn beyond the walls of QCC.

“I’m really looking forward to Greece and spending time with the other study abroad students. It will allow us to relate our new-found classroom knowledge to the region that is the basis of our studies,” Robin said.