GTCC to starts study-abroad program

Leaving the U.S. Meeting new people. Immersing himself in a different culture.

Entering his final semester at GTCC, Repsher had the chance to visit Bordeaux, France, for two weeks, June 15-29, through the school’s collaboration with Davidson-Davie Community College. He pounced on the opportunity.

“Studying abroad is an invaluable experience for how you live,” he said. “And you will undoubtedly come home with at least one thing different about you.”

Now, GTCC will be able to create its own study-abroad program and offer similar experiences to more students.

The U.S. Department of State announced last month that GTCC was among 37 colleges, including 10 community colleges, to receive grants from the Increase and Diversify Education Abroad for U.S. Student program. The grant was created to allow institutions to create or expand their study-abroad programs and provide international experiences for students. GTCC received the maximum amount of money, $35,000.

For students like Repsher, previous study-abroad opportunities were organized through another higher education institution. However, slots available to outside students are limited and priority is given to those enrolled at the particular school hosting the trip.

To go on the France trip, 20 GTCC students applied, but only two students were accepted, according to Tiffany Overby, one of GTCC’s study-abroad coordinators. On average, eight to 12 students from the school are studying abroad per year.

With the grant, GTCC can finally develop its own program and bring even more people on board.

“It’s an opportunity for [students] to get outside their comfort zone, to try new things and to gain that sense of adventure and independence that they may not be able to at home,” said Lindley Swift, another coordinator of the program.

Overby said the grant money will go towards faculty training and planning for future trips. The program will not only bring along full-time GTCC students, but leaders also hope to offer spots to high school students, ages 16 and over, who are taking community college courses.

In 2026, GTCC will host its first excursions to Ireland over spring break and Mendoza, Argentina, over the summer for STEM and CTE-related opportunities. For example, the Argentina trip will hone in on environmental science and climate change.

While most study-abroad programs are focused on humanities or cultural studies, Overby said GTCC wants to create trips that are geared toward the interests of technical school students.

“We really wanted to make the trip more accessible to students in those areas because a lot of times they tend to get left out of the study-abroad experience,” she said.

Both Overby and Swift know the value of international experiences. They’ve seen it firsthand. In 2017, Overby traveled to South Africa to immerse herself in the county’s education system for two weeks. Since then, it’s become a goal of hers to share global, life-changing experiences.

“I think it’s really important to do it at the community-college level because, a lot of times, people feel like that’s only something that university students can do,” Overby said. “One of the things that we know at GTCC is that everyone’s goal isn’t to go to university. Everyone’s career path isn’t going to lead them there, so that doesn’t mean that they don’t deserve to have those opportunities as well.”

Swift traveled to Croatia, Slovenia and Bosnia in 2013 but also studied abroad as a college student. Her passion now centers around encouraging global education and tolerance in order to create a peaceful, prosperous world.

Repsher said the impact of the trip became apparent the first time he stepped foot back home. He realized how much he would miss the people he met. But, he said, that’s why he went.

“If you have the chance to experience that shock,” he said, “take it.”