Five Illinois Valley Community College students immersed themselves in new cultures, made new friends, toured breathtaking scenery and conquered new heights while studying in Europe and Central America this summer.

In the largest group ever to study internationally as part of IVCC’s International Education program were Clara Cartwright of Marseilles who studied in France; Zoey Dearth of Streator who visited Austria; Indyana Hernandez of Streator who traveled to Spain; Margret Morse of Henry who studied in Ireland, and McKinzie Tarbox of Ottawa who traveled to Costa Rica. They took classes in language and culture, toured historic and cultural sites, and many said the dream they thought was impossible came true.

They all echoed Cartwright’s summation of her visit to the land of Vincent Van Gogh: "Not only did I get to see unimaginable works of architecture and artistic genius, but I made some of the best friends I have ever had. I will hold on to the feelings and memories for the rest of my life.”

Cartwright joined European soccer fans in avidly following FIFA World Cup action and celebrating their victories. She said no dream of traveling to France could compare with actually living in and experiencing the country, where she had the opportunity to practice the new language she was learning every day.

Dearth, who works full-time and takes online classes at home, enjoyed attending college in person. “I never thought it would be possible to study abroad, but through IVCC, I had the opportunity to go and earn college credit.”

She enjoyed the local lifestyle, swimming in a canal, shopping for and cooking local foods, and attending Salzburg fairs and events. Public transportation, though, she noted, “is a learning curve in a foreign country.”

Hernandez also explored nearby Portugal, France and Morocco, but oppressive heat often limited her activities. Knowing Spanish and developing personal and study routines helped her adapt to her new environment and she is proud of herself for “taking classes, making friends, exploring new cities and learning a language all at once.”

In her second visit to Ireland, at 40, Morse blended in easily with younger travel companions and realized “I am never too old to learn new things. We were just people learning together and learning from each other. We cheered each other on.”

That enthusiasm carried Morse past her fear of heights and up to the top of the 100-foot Round Tower at the medieval St. Canice’s Cathedral, which offered a stunning view of the countryside. “The funny part is, I was not even reluctant to do it! I had that adrenaline rush of excitement to go ahead!”

She discovered that two countries can have small things in common that make visitors feel at home. She pulled up a phone app to record birds outside her window and "found out we both have house sparrows! It was soothing for me to listen to life outside.”

Tarbox cherished the hours spent with her housemother and roommates around the dinner table, talking. "Everyone gave me a home when I was so far away from mine. It was a long time to be away from home, but time went by fast.”

"There is a growing interest on the IVCC campus in studying abroad, and more scholarship opportunities to defray costs are becoming available,” said International Education Coordinator Amanda Cook Fesperman. Fesperman is successfully spreading the message across campus and enlisting the help of other departments to promote the opportunities.

Tarbox received three scholarships, and Hernandez and Cartwright each received one. "I always thought traveling was out of reach, but now I realize everything is possible!” Hernandez said.

Summer study abroad programs are 3-5 weeks long. IVCC also offers programs in Japan, South Korea, Italy, Ghana and Canada, and full semester programs in Austria, England, Ireland and Spain.

The program is open to IVCC students, graduating high school seniors, and community members. Participants must be over 18 and meet some academic requirements.