Study Abroad
The Office of International Education and Study Abroad Programs provides a wide variety of opportunities for all MassBay Community College students who are interested in travel and study abroad for faculty and student exchanges.
The Office of International Education and Study Abroad Programs have organized programs in Costa Rica, Romania, and Taipei. Under the leadership of Professor McCourt and Professor Marco Mena, students have traveled and engaged in service learning for three consecutive years to Costa Rica. This is a program where students live with families, which enriches their experience along with the study tours.
Romania 2009
Dr. David Hadaller, former Fulbright Professor to Romania and former Interim Director of Grants Development at MassBay Community College, has developed a long standing relationship with Ovidius University in Romania. That relationship, coupled with the guidance of Dr. Adina Ciugureanu, Dean of Faculty of Letters and noted scholar of American literature enabled seven MassBay students from the Student Government Association to participate in a three-week service learning program overseas. While living in the dormitories and attending activities with Ovidius students and professors, students worked in a hospital and an orphanage in Constanta. Students from the Rotaract Club were able to participate in Rotary activities in Europe as well. Marie Lourdes Elgirus, Director of International Education and Study Abroad Programs and Nurys Camargo, former Special Assistant to the President, accompanied the students in this memorable trip. The Rotaract Club, The Wellesley Rotary Club, The MassBay Foundation, the Career Club Services, President’s Office, and the
Office of International Education and Study Abroad Programs committed financially to the success of this program.
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Taipei 2010
MassBay had its first Asian study abroad experience at the beginning of this year when 12 students spent two weeks at Aletheia University studying Mandarin and Chinese culture. The students were accompanied by Dr. Jane O’Brien Friederichs, Dean of Social Sciences and Professional Studies and an expert on Chinese culture; and Claudia Ortiz, Program Associate in the Office of International Education and Study Abroad Programs.
The program involved a strong academic component: 12 hours of instruction at MassBay in Taiwanese culture and history, followed by 27 hours of Mandarin instruction by a professor at Aletheia University. The students’ cultural experiences were also remarkable. In addition to visiting many important Taiwanese historical buildings and landmarks, MassBay students were partnered with students from Aletheia who supported them with their language learning and cultural understanding. Our students were outstanding ambassadors for MassBay.
This program was made possible by Dr. Derrick Manns, who went initially to Taipei; Dr. Angela Yao of the Taipei Economic and Cultural Office in Boston (TECO); the MassBay Diversity Council; the One Book project; the Communications Department; Corporate and Community Education and the Office of Student Development.
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Students Reflect on their International Experience...
Romania trip reflection by student Hashim Ismail
“An individual has not started living,” declared the Reverend, Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., “until he can rise above the narrow confines of his individualistic concerns to the broader concerns of all humanity.”
On May 31st, 2009, along with six of my college affiliated Rotary peers, I traveled nearly five thousand miles from the Massachusetts Bay Community College campus in Wellesley Hills, Massachusetts, to the Constanta campus of Ovidius University in Romania. Marking the beginning of a three-week international service trip of which I had only begun to understand the significance, this was the first of its kind at either college, and it was the beginning of the legacy I had realized I must leave behind.
This was an eye-opening experience. Part of our group worked in the Constanta General Hospital and the other in ARCA, a center that helps people with disabilities. Having the opportunity to participate in both endeavors was unforgettable. My first image, still held clear in my mind, was of five year old Mario, a boy that held a ball and who keenly looked at me with an innocent smile. When I approached, he blushed and ran to the other end of the room. Deaf, mute and with some mental disabilities, Mario’s parents, like most others there, could not afford the cost of his medications.
Working closely with other volunteers, I helped provide companionship, lessons in computer use and participated in daily activities like painting and dancing. Most children there loved dancing, and I participated in group cultural dances and taught them some dances from my culture. No kindness was left unreturned. With the excellent education I was obtaining at MassBay, and with many different cultural experiences under my belt, I was naive to think I alone would teach. Instead, I ended up being taught to appreciate the smallest things in life, to embrace happiness and love.
This trip demonstrated our commitment to the kind of global community two year college students can create. We went to Romania as goodwill ambassadors to serve and build understanding between our institution and our university partners in Romania. We left enriched with the knowledge of how our capacity to give, even in the smallest way, can impact those in need, and strengthen the thread that binds us all. This experience reminded me of how much impact we can each have through altruism and in sharing our basic humanity.
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Taipei trip reflection by student James Tabares
“It was through the word of mouth of my fellow students that I learned about the Study Abroad Programs offered at MassBay Community College. As a result, I chose to transfer to the College.
My study abroad experience to Taiwan was mind-shattering, and holds some of the most satisfying times of my life – memories that I will never forget.
I traveled more than sixteen thousand miles over the Pacific Ocean halfway around the world, escaped a snow storm at Logan airport on the third of January, and arrived eighteen hours later to a warm tropical island off the coast of China. Taiwan was my destination. I had no expectations as I ventured off to find out what the world had to offer. Arriving after a layover in Japan, our group landed in the capital of Taiwan, Taipei City. We were welcomed with open arms into a new society we knew a little about. From the first second we met our exchange partners, all of us started exploring one another’s cultures, thoughts, beliefs and found out how our lives were very similar and yet so very different at the same time. The language barrier had its moments, but as we learned together that wall came crumbling down.
Throughout the time we spent there, we saw and shared so many unforgettable sights and cherished memories. We visited Taipei 101, the second tallest building in the world. We were amazed at the breathtaking view of the ocean to the north and the city all around us. I have visited the Prudential Building in Boston and the Empire State Building in New York City. Yet I never in my life would have imagined this sight and was so impressed. One of the most cultural shocking moments was visiting the majestic temples of Taiwan. Each building, no matter the size, from a small temple on the side of the street to the impressive sized stadium, each one was full of wonder and history of the this culture. Traveling four hours south from the capital we vanished from the city’s eyes and disappeared into the mountains of Yilan. We climbed two miles up to the peak of the mountain and to our astonishment we saw through the tropical trees the ocean waves crashing along the beaches. A picture perfect memory as if time stood still.
This opportunity that I was so fortunate to be able to participate has affected my life in so many ways. I had no idea it would show me the vast world out there. I had a first hand look into someone else’s culture and I have made so many friendships because of it. I can say I have become a better- rounded person because of this trip. I will remember Taiwan.
The Office of International Education and Study Abroad Programs is located on the 1st floor in Room 138, Wellesley Hills campus.
For information, please contact :
Marie Lourdes Elgirus
Director
International Education and Study Abroad programs
781-239-3140
(fax) 781-239-2707
melgirus@massbay.edu
Claudia Ortiz
Program Associate
International Education and Study Abroad programs
781-239-2641
(fax) 781-239-2707
cortiz@massbay.edu
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