MCCC’s short-term study abroad program will take on Eastern Europe with a business and culture focused trip in May of 2022.
The estimated travel dates are May 16-27, 2022 and are subject to change, said Wendy Wysocki, professor of business and economics and Global Studies Coordinator.
Students in the program will travel to Budapest, Hungary; Kraków, Poland; Prague, Czech Republic; and Vienna, Austria.
Like past trips, MCCC is partnering with Education First College Study, a tour company for faculty-led study abroad programs, Wysocki said.
Participants will visit attractions like Fisherman’s Bastion, Castle Hill and the Auschwitz-Birkenau concentration camp site, according to the trip’s itinerary.
“I’ve never been to Eastern Europe,” Wysocki said. “I’ve been to a lot of these other places that we’ve traveled, so I’m pretty excited.”
Wysocki and Terri Kovach, professor emeritus of Sociology, are leading the trip.
Kovach is most interested in going to the Kraków Ghetto and Aushwitz-Birkenau, having spent much time studying the Holocaust and teaching about genocide.
“I have no doubt that it will be an extraordinary, and difficult, experience for me and for our students,” Kovach said. “There is something about walking the grounds of a world-changing phenomenon that creates a new perspective.”
MCCC students, alumni and community members 18 and older can apply for the program.
Younger individuals have gone on past trips, Wysocki said. Middle College students under 18 can apply with special permission.
MCCC students need a 2.0 or higher GPA to apply.
All applicants must pass a criminal background check and obtain two professional or personal reference letters, Wysocki said.
Reference letters for MCCC students should be from educators or employers.
Being a study-based trip, all applicants have to enroll in one of three course pathways offered for the program.
It’s recommended to take SOC 161 or BMGT 220 in the winter semester and a one credit study abroad course in the summer, Wysocki said. The third option is to take a two credit study abroad summer course.
“Any of the courses can be audited,” Wysocki said.
Those interested have until February to apply, Wysocki said. 15 have already signed up.
MCCC student Presley Bergmooser is going and looks forward to Kovach’s Death, Loss and Grief class.
“I am so excited to be immersed in the different cultures and be exposed to so many new people,” Bergmooser said. “I have never been overseas, so my first time will definitely be memorable.”
MCCC Alumni David Larkins and his spouse Laura are going, this being their third trip with the program.
“Our love to travel, see the culture, food, art, museums and history of other countries is what really inspires us to travel,” Larkins said. “I am an artist, and many of my paintings were inspired from the trips.”
Informational meetings are being scheduled for later in November, Wysocki said.
Wysocki encourages those interested to contact her or attend a meeting before applying, but copies of applications and meeting notes are available on an easel in Founder’s Hall, Wysocki said.
To fully enroll, an application must be filled and sent to Wysocki along with the letters of recommendation.
Applicants will receive a written approval from Wysocki and should promptly enroll with EF College Study Tours after.
Wysocki can be reached via email at wwysocki@monroecccc.edu or phone at 734-384-4294.
