FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: September 2, 2016

For More Information:
Glenville State College
Public Relations Department
(304) 462-4115

GLENVILLE, WV - In summer 2016, several Glenville State College students and professors took part in a criminal justice focused trip to London. The five day visit saw the students take tours of some of the most iconic sites in the city. Additionally, they were able to go to the Inns of Court, the Royal Courts of Justice, the Old Bailey, the Houses of Parliament, the Tower of London, and on a Jack the Ripper-themed tour.

GSC criminal justice professors Kelly Treece and Mark Mills accompanied the students on the trip.

Kelly Treece, Stephanie Giffin, Mackenzie Smith, Carly Ford, Mackenzie Plehn, Olivia Garrett, Gabriela Bonazzo, Allison Bryant, Brandon Peck, Mamie Rogers, and Mark Mills

Here’s what some of the students who went had to say:

“The study abroad trip in London definitely gave me knowledge. You know the old saying that knowledge is power, well I firmly believe that. This trip furthered my knowledge of the criminal justice system because I got to witness first-hand the way England, another country, views their justice system compared to the United States. Even though the United States roots are in the England, the two are entirely different,” said senior criminal justice major Brandon Peck of Pineville (Wyoming County), West Virginia. “I truly believe that every student should study abroad when granted with the opportunity. Not only did I get a different outlook on criminal justice, I was culturally diverse for a week, and I became more educated. Which is exactly what studying abroad means,” he continued.

“I think that studying abroad is an important aspect to learning. It shows diversity and important history and knowledge that needs to be absorbed and passed on. It was neat to see how different our justice systems is. I would tell any of my fellow students that studying abroad is such a fun, rewarding experience and that they should definitely do it if presented with the opportunity. Coming from a small college like Glenville I think it is so important that students see diversity and how other countries live and work,” said Mackenzie Smith.

“I advise students to study abroad when they get a chance. They will never know when they will get a chance to go study in a different part of the world again. I highly recommend other students to study abroad. It will help them understand why other countries work the way they do, or understand a certain subject like criminal justice better. It’s the experience that they will get out of the trip that will benefit them when they come back,” said junior criminal justice major Allison Bryant of Walkersville (Lewis County), West Virginia.

“If anyone is considering studying abroad my advice for them would be definitely do it. Go into studying abroad with an open mind, be willing to try and do new things because it’s all part of the learning experience. Don’t be shy to get out of your comfort zone and experience what the country has to offer you. Always be willing to learn new things and pay attention to how that country runs their everyday life. Most of all, just have fun and soak up the new experience,” said senior criminal justice major Mamie Rogers of Maysel (Clay County), West Virginia.

“Getting to go to London was one of those once-in-a-lifetime opportunities to experience something I may never get a chance to do again,” said junior criminal justice major Stephanie Giffin of Mineral Wells (Wood County), West Virginia.

“I believe studying abroad is an important aspect of academic learning. It is one thing to sit in classrooms and listen to lectures, but is a whole other learning environment to be surrounded by students like myself and take in these lectures by visiting historical places and touring the locations which contributed to so much of our history. Being able to absorb everything in person adds so much to learning experiences,” said senior criminal justice major Carly Ford of Indian Head, Maryland. “If I had to give a student who was considering studying abroad any advice it would be to take every opportunity you can to broaden your cultural experiences and learn life lessons you might not learn while staying in America. Realizing there is a bigger world out there and other ways of life is humbling and makes you gain respect for people from all walks of life. I have come back with so many stories to tell and memories to hold onto. Every student should, at some point, travel abroad and experience a culture outside of their comfort zone to not only grow as a person but also to witness how people grow together no matter where they are from,” she continued.

For more information about study abroad opportunities at GSC, contact Director of International Programs Dr. Megan Gibbons at Megan.Gibbons@glenville.edu or (304) 462-6328.