Study abroad gives Citrus College students once-in-a-lifetime opportunity

By Cheryl Alexander, Ed.D., Citrus College Governing Board Member

When Citrus College student Terra James looks back on the events leading up to her study abroad experience in Prague, it feels as if everything was meant to be.

First, there was the passport. Terra only had it because her family was supposed to go on a trip, which ended up not happening.

And then there was the moment when she mentioned studying abroad to her mother. After Terra expressed interest, her mother told her about a family friend who had studied in Prague. Soon after, Terra's mother connected the two.

"It felt like such a crazy coincidence or a sign," Terra, a Duarte resident, said. "From there, I heard only good things about Prague. This was when I became dead set on joining the program."

Terra is one of several dozen Citrus College students who have recently participated in study abroad experiences to destinations including Prague, Czechia; Osaka, Japan; Seville, Spain; Paris, France; London, England; and Barcelona, Spain.

To be eligible for the program, students must have completed at least 12 units and have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5. First-semester college students may also qualify. Additionally, all applicants must be at least 18 by the program's start date.

In addition to seeing new parts of the world, study abroad program participants like Terra earn transferable college credits while overseas. To help pay for the experience, students often fundraise and apply for scholarship awards.

While in Prague in summer 2024, Terra took a sociology course with Citrus College instructor Dr. Gailynn White.

"We got to speak to locals face-to-face and learn about their lives and perspectives on major events within the country," Terra said. "It was very hands-on and helped us to learn so much more about Czechia and its citizens."

Beyond shaping her view of the world, the experience also led to some personal growth for Terra.

"I had always been scared to travel or to be outside of my comfort zone," she said. "Being with others from home, even though I didn't know them, helped a lot. It opened my eyes to traveling more in the future, which is something I had truly never thought of before."

Throughout her time in Europe, Terra also made new friends and got to experience some of the basics of life, like grocery shopping. The experience was the first time she had ever lived away from home.

"The student housing situation was far better than I could've hoped for," she said. "With the shared amenities, it helped me get used to living with my classmates, and I got to know them better."

Looking to the future, Terra hopes to attend Cal Poly Pomona and ultimately earn an MBA in marketing. She also wants to travel internationally again in the next two years.

As the Citrus Community College District Board of Trustees representative for Duarte and portions of Azusa, Monrovia, Arcadia, Covina and Irwindale, I am amazed by the incredible study abroad opportunities afforded to our students. For those looking for an affordable education with outstanding international study opportunities, I encourage you to consider Citrus College. To learn more about study abroad, visit www.citruscollege.edu/studyabroad.