Study Abroad Expanded How CACC Students Learn and See the World

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In 2025, a group of CACC students earned academic credit while studying abroad in London and Paris through an Interdisciplinary Studies course. The program combined coursework with guided site visits that placed students in the settings connected to the material they were studying.

Students navigated unfamiliar cities, relied on one another, and experienced daily life in cultures different from their own. For several participants, the trip marked their first time traveling outside the United States.

Mia McDaniel said being in cities connected to the literature she studies strengthened her academic focus and future goals.

“I understand now that I am capable of doing things bigger than me, bigger than Alabama, bigger than America,” McDaniel said. “When I become a teacher or professor, I want my students to understand how important traveling is and how much it can shape the way you see the world.”

Joseph Mason said the experience reshaped how he thinks about culture and community.

“Living in London and Paris showed me how people interact with their environment and with each other,” Mason said. “I want to encourage others to experience different cultures and see how that changes their perspective.”

For Jenny Joiner, the experience required stepping outside her comfort zone.

“At the beginning of the trip, I was anxious about being in a different country with people I didn’t know,” Joiner said. “By the end, I felt more independent and more confident in myself.”

Emily Hancock said the experience encouraged her to slow down and pay attention to her surroundings.

“Not being able to take photos inside Windsor Castle made me focus on what I was seeing,” Hancock said. “I’ve carried that habit of observation back into my daily life.”

Laysa Hernandez said the trip influenced how she thinks about her future.

“This experience gave me confidence and helped me grow in ways I didn’t expect,” Hernandez said. “It gave me ideas for what I want my life to look like moving forward.”

Wes Talton, who advised and coordinated students throughout the program, said the change in students was evident throughout the trip.

“Students gain confidence as they learn how to navigate new environments and rely on themselves,” Talton said. “That confidence carries back into the classroom.”

As CACC closes out 2025, the study abroad program stands as one of the year’s defining academic experiences. Students returned with a broader frame of reference and a clearer understanding of their own capabilities.
 

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