Bearcats in the Wild

Galway and Dublin, Ireland

A trip to the European Union took Bearcats to the country of Ireland. Visiting both Dublin and Galway, this study abroad trip was a two-for-one deal for the students.

Aligning with the teachings of their class “Folklore in Irish Childhood,” the trip allowed students to broaden their understanding of teachings in Irish classrooms, specifically the various literature and folklore the children learn.

“We traveled to Ireland to immerse ourselves in the Irish culture and collect our own folklore through the locals,” said Cera Hissem, a senior majoring in criminology, law, and society and minoring in legal studies and psychology.

With the kindness of the Irish, the students jumped right in and immediately felt welcomed. “All the locals had no problem sharing their stories; they were some of the nicest people I have ever met,” said Hissem.

Diving right into the culture of Ireland, the Bearcats experienced the vibrant social life of both Galway and Dublin while visiting some historical landmarks.

“Some of my favorite moments were the pub life we got to experience and the Cliffs of Moher in County Clare,” said Hissem. “This is something I had on my bucket list to visit, and it was such an amazing experience.”

The trip served as an exceptional opportunity for Hissem to experience travel and learn all about the country she hopes to travel back to.

“This was my first flight—I had to get over my fear, and I’m so glad I did,” said Hissem. “I have been looking at master’s programs [in Ireland] to study international human rights law.”

London, United Kingdom

Students in one of the most popular classes in the English Department, “Shakespeare in London,” boarded their plane to London, UK, during spring break to explore the city and its profound history.

“It was an English major’s dream,” said Angel Scalamogna, a May 2023 graduate who also earned a minor in music. “There is so much history of the English language engulfed in the city of London, and it was incredible to see how literature has developed.”

Studying numerous Shakespearean plays and English literature, the Bearcats found themselves in the middle of a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. “[During class], we studied Titus Andronicus and were actually able to watch it at the famous Shakespeare’s Globe Theatre,” recalled Scalamonga.

“Our group spent a lot of time on Shakespeare Walking Tours throughout London, as well as getting to spend a day in Shakespeare’s hometown of Stratford-Upon-Avon,” said Scalamogna.

The Bearcats were all over the map in London, touring museums, walking down Abbey Road, visiting the Churchill War Rooms, and more.

“One of my favorite experiences [was visiting] the Tower of London and learning about some of the most famous prisoners there,” shared Scalamogna. “Visiting Westminster Abbey and the final resting places of famous individuals such as Stephen Hawking, Charles Dickens, Plato, and more was a moment I will never forget.

“From a backstage tour of the Royal Shakespeare Theatre to viewing hundreds of years’ worth of official Crown Jewels and seeing King Charles leave Buckingham Palace, [the trip] was unforgettable.”

Munich, Germany

The McKenna School of Business, Economics, and Government hosted a study abroad trip to Germany. In line with some of the current curriculum and course offerings of the McKenna School, the trip to Germany gave students a new perspective into the world of business while exploring a new country.

“We got to experience new culture, build connections and relationships with professors and other students,” said Julie Zhu, a senior business economics and international business double major. “We visited the Operational Excellence Lean Lab at Kufstein University in the Alps and Matthews International to see how businesses operate in other countries.

“My favorite experience was standing in the Neuschwanstein Castle looking out and admiring the world we live in,” expressed Zhu. She was ecstatic over the opportunity to travel abroad and brought home some memories to last a lifetime. “I got to see the world from a different perspective, and it inspires me to be more of a global citizen and to appreciate the opportunities I have.”

She even brought home memories that tickled the mind. “I learned that you have to pay to use the bathroom. And it’s crazy to me that water is more expensive than beer in Germany!”

Zhu loved the trip, expressing how rewarding the experience was for her to be overseas with her classmates and professors. “It truly is an experience you wouldn’t want to miss out on.”

Antigua, Guatemala

Travel south of the border affords rich cultural experiences to those who venture there. The countries that make up Central America also provide exceptional learning opportunities, especially around the topic of nutrition.

As part of their anthropology course, “Culture and Health in Guatemala,” many Bearcats boarded the plane headed for Antigua. They were fully engrossed in the culture, trying unique foods, engaging with the locals, and developing a deeper understanding of nourishment in the country.

“The class traveled to Guatemala to learn about malnutrition from a holistic perspective,” said Madilyn Thompson, a May 2023 graduate of the Anthropology and Communication Departments.

“I learned how malnutrition is a result of far more than just biology and poor eating habits. It’s the result of many intertwined social, cultural, economic, and political factors.”

The students in the class fully immersed themselves in the ethos of Antigua, from ziplining and taking a lancha (a light sailing ship) across Lake Atitlán to trying new foods. “One of my favorite experiences was visiting a second-grade class and participating in a cultural exchange,” said Thompson.

Thompson shared her gratitude for the knowledge and ability to participate in the educational journey. “One of my biggest goals in life is to be able to help people,” said Thompson. “This trip showed me the small, everyday ways you can do that.”

Rome, Italy

An annual trek into the country of Italy offers seniors in the Benedictine Leadership Studies (BLS) program the chance to visit Rome at the conclusion of their studies. The four-year program covers leaders and their leadership styles that helped shape Western civilization, originating from the visionaries who contributed to the construction of Rome.

“It was a cultural, historical, and religious experience tied up in one,” shared Genevieve LaFosse, a May 2023 graduate of the communication and BLS programs.

This trip had special importance for LaFosse, whose education has allowed her to come full circle after having an interest in Italian culture from a young age. “From Michelangelo and things that I’ve learned about since middle school, to Caesar and Saint Benedict, whom I learned about at SVC, and the Vatican, which connects to Catholicism, it was great to finally connect the dots between what I have learned.”

During their time in Rome, the students explored the history of the city and its connection to Catholicism. “We got to go into the catacombs under the Basilica of San Sebastiano,” said LaFosse. “We saw the places where early Christians worshiped, buried the dead, and hid as they were persecuted by the Romans. It was incredible to see the tombs and mausoleums where some of the saints were buried.”

Visiting unique landmarks of Rome, such as Monte Cassino, the first Benedictine Monastery, and the Vatican, the students were exposed to some of the deepest parts of history revolving around the Catholic faith and Roman traditions. “My favorite experience on this trip was walking up to the top of the Dome of Saint Peter’s Basilica,” said Andrew Kunz, a May 2023 graduate of the finance program. “[We] could take in the view of the whole city.”

Traveling to Rome served as more than just a spiritual journey: it was one that strengthened passions for the future. “I feel more comfortable traveling outside the United States,” said Kunz. “With a career in finance, I hope to have the opportunity to travel internationally in the future.”

After the coursework of the previous years, the trip served as a final opportunity for students to dive deeper into their faith while still at Saint Vincent.

“This trip really enriched my faith and even gave me a perspective on the history of Roman culture,” said LaFosse. “It’s a once-in-a-lifetime experience.”

Dakar, Senegal

One of the most unique study abroad opportunities came through the monastic connections of Saint Vincent. The monks of Keur Moussa Monastery welcomed a few administrators, including Father Paul Taylor, O.S.B., president; Dr. Jeff Mallory, executive vice president; Father François Diouf, O.S.B.; Dr. Dana Winters, assistant vice president for student success and retention, and five Fred Rogers Scholars, into their guest house for the week.

The trip served as an opportunity to create and foster relationships between Saint Vincent College and the Keur Moussa Monastery, of which Father François is a member. While in Senegal, the group appreciated many aspects of the culture, including the monastery’s use of the kora, a string instrument common in West Africa, in Catholic Mass.

“We learned about how Keur Moussa implements the kora, how they live, the culture of Dakar, and especially how the monastery has taken on Laudato Si, the second encyclical of Pope Francis,” said Gina Beneccio, a junior early childhood education major with a minor in children’s studies.

From riding camels to visiting the Museum of Black Civilization, the group participated in many cultural activities. “One of the most memorable parts of the trip was ‘Strings Time,’ where one of the monks played the kora for us while sitting in a beautiful hut outside the church,” said Beneccio. “My favorite part was visiting Gorée Island, a beautiful place to walk around.”

This study abroad trip to Senegal also fostered a greater sense of appreciation for some things that we often take for granted in many of the students. “I am more grateful than ever for even the smallest things, like a hot shower,” said Isaiah McElroy, a May 2023 graduate of the Communication Department.

McElroy and Beneccio shared such enthusiasm for the chance to spread their wings. “If you can travel to another country, then you should take the opportunity to. I believe this is the best thing that happened to me during my life so far,” said McElroy.

“It was a once-in-a-lifetime experience that I sometimes still can’t believe I had,” said Beneccio. “I loved every minute that I was there.”

Into the wild the Bearcats went, with excitement and eagerness to experience something new. Educated and exhilarated, they returned home with new stories to tell, photos to share, and memories to take with them forever.

Each travel experience brought unique opportunities for our students to explore the world, create connections, and deepen their faith. Their flights brought them home with new perspectives on the world, showing once again that at Saint Vincent College, learning doesn’t end within the walls of Placid, Alfred, or Prep Hall. Instead, it is just the beginning of a transformative journey, partaken by Bearcats bound together for life and across continents.   ♦