Alia Nearpass
Staff Writer
Are you a student looking to travel abroad? If so, consider the travel program here at FSC, where students get the unique opportunity to embark on a Junior Journey. The program has been ongoing for more than 20 years, and sees outstanding interest each year. Coordinated by the Student Travel Office, there are many trips across the globe available for the students to go on.
Unlike other institutions, FSC offers a lower price, known as the Junior Journey price, to students who are juniors and have completed four semesters. In other words, the program is open to all FSC students but in order to become eligible for the Junior Journey price, students must complete four semesters before the trip departs and transfer students must complete three.
Beth Moran, Director of Student Travel, addresses the overall goals and outcomes of the program.
“They’re all educational experiences. All students are learning how to navigate traveling whether that be domestically or internationally,” Moran said.
Though each group of students are accompanied by a trip director and an approved chaperone.
“They learn to be a little bit more independent, but they also have the support and the guidance of the trip director and the chaperone. So I think that’s a wonderful thing,” Moran said.
Academically, the Junior Journey program offers students structured learning opportunities. According to Moran, students follow a syllabus created by the trip director and earn college credit while completing the educational objectives established for the trip.
“Educationally, they’re learning whatever the trip director has set forth in their syllabus. So there is a syllabus and students earn college credit, they’re learning those goals that the trip director set out the student learning objectives,” said Moran.
In addition to becoming independent, they gain confidence and learn about other cultures outside of the classroom setting.
“It’s endless what they learn. And I think they can definitely take this back,” said Moran.
Trip directors, often professors, choose a destination as well as a syllabus and agenda which is then pitched to a committee for review. There is a lot of work that goes into planning on the trip directors behalf, they work so hard to put together an experience for students.
Once approved, it is available for the students to decide where they would like to travel.
To spread the word, each semester there is a travel showcase that displays the different destinations along with informational materials.
Once the student has committed to a junior journey, they attend a set of meetings for preparation purposes. The first meeting is with the office of student travel.
“Here we talk to them about the culture and so forth, and other requirements, the effects of a long flight, and culture shock,” Moran said.
The meetings following this are with the trip director where they discuss destination specific details to ensure safety and a good time.
The destinations are all very different in their own ways and span from Europe to Asia and even Africa.
“One student will be interested in absolutely everything, and then another student will be really focused and zoned in on one specific area, because that’s just somewhere that intrigues them,” said Moran. “So right now we have spring and May that are being offered, the registration application process opens up in November,” Moran said.
Seniors can register on the student portal Nov. 3, juniors on Nov. 5 and all other students on Nov. 7.
“A big key point that I’ve never heard of anywhere else, is that the college helps the students with one of the junior journeys, the other part is the dedication, commitment and enthusiasm on behalf of the trip directors, to put these experiences together and try to keep them at the lowest cost possible,” Moran said when asked what sets FSC Junior Journey program apart from other travel abroad programs.
It is highly encouraged for all students to attend a Junior Journey during their time at FSC. Not only do these trips provide unforgettable experiences and lifelong memories, but the cost is included in your tuition, meaning you’re essentially paying for it whether you go or not. By choosing not to participate, students are missing out on an incredible opportunity that’s already covered in their education so it’s a chance to travel, learn, and grow without spending extra money.
