In the spring of 2023, a group of students in English Professor Kim Gaffney’s course World Literature (ENGL 2051) had the incredible opportunity to visit Paris, France as part of Century’s study abroad program. In Paris, they saw the Notre Dame Cathedral, the Arc de Triomphe, and even the Eiffel Tower. “I don’t think I would have gone to Paris if it wasn’t for this trip,” said Sydney Withrop, a student in Gaffney’s class. “It gave me an opportunity I wouldn’t have had otherwise.”
Century is one of very few two-year colleges to offer study abroad opportunities like the Paris trip, or the trip students in English Professor Brian Lewis’s Comics: Introduction to Literary Studies (ENGL 2072) took to Tokyo, Japan over the summer. According to English Professor Larry Sklaney, study abroad used to be something that was only available at expensive, four-year schools. Century is creating opportunities students might not otherwise have. “I want our students to have opportunities like they might if they went to an expensive university,” Sklaney said. “That’s one of the reasons we’re trying to promote this and I think it’s a great opportunity for students.”
Next spring, Century students will have another chance to visit Japan. Both Sklaney and English Professor Yanmei Jiang will take their classes, Comics: Introduction to Literary Studies (ENGL 2072) and Asian American Literature (ENGL 2019), to Tokyo for eight days.
Enrolling in one of these courses will give students the chance to see a different country and immerse themselves in Japanese culture. According to Gaffney, who is also the chair of the study abroad committee, these trips are excellent opportunities for Century students to broaden their experiences and learn more about other cultures. “People tend to strengthen their sense of empathy after spending time in a different country and culture,” Gaffney said. “This is a benefit that should be talked about more in my opinion.”
Sklaney also emphasized the importance of in-person study: “There’s nothing wrong with reading about places, and nothing wrong with watching movies or talking to people when they’re from another place, but there’s nothing that can replace going there.”

Sklaney and Withrop both highlighted the excitement of getting to travel to a different country, a country most have only read about. “I think the fact that this is tied in with courses, and we have the whole spring semester to read things and talk and build up our expertise and our anticipation, makes this program even more satisfying than just going on a vacation somewhere,” Sklaney said.
Logistically, the study abroad trip is made possible by a partnership with a company, Education First, or EF, that facilitates study abroad courses.

Students interested in joining the spring 2024 trip to Tokyo must enroll with EF register for either Comics: Introduction to Literary Studies (ENGL 2072) and Asian American Literature (ENGL 2019). To go on the study abroad trip, students must be taking one of the classes; students cannot go without taking a class and must go if they are in the course. The maximum number of students that can be on the trip is 20 per class. It is important for students to sign up early because a lack of students enrolled could result in the trip being canceled. Students may contact either Larry Sklaney ([email protected]) or Yanmei Jiang ([email protected]) with questions.
Scholarships are available for students who wish to apply. If a student wishes to apply for a scholarship, they will need to write a letter to the committee for study abroad and they will determine if the student will receive a scholarship and if so, how much aid they will receive. There are many scholarships available, so it’s important for students to apply for one if they need help funding their trip.
Study abroad provides unique opportunities students may not have gotten at a different community college. In addition to the academic benefits, these trips have lasting positive effects on student’s lives. “Students often see growth in their self-confidence and resilience,” said Gaffney.

Check out the study abroad website on EF at this link.

Email Larry Sklaney or Yanmei Jiang for more information at: [email protected] or [email protected].