For alumnus Greg Kolodziej, ’01, Stevens Point, his semester abroad in Poland through UWSP was the best experience of his college career.
“I saw the coolest places all over Eastern Europe… castles, cathedrals, old town squares, hills, mountains, rivers and people,” he said. “I found my roots, and lost my narrow definition of who people are supposed to be. I made close personal friendships that went beyond culture and societal pre-dispositions…This was the best education on the human condition.”
Take Greg’s experience and multiply it by more than 13,000 and you might be able to realize the magnitude of life changing experiences of all of the students who have traveled abroad for a semester, summer or school break through UWSP International Programs (IP) since the first trip to Great Britain in 1969 (pictured, 1969 trip students visit the Coliseum in Rome).
Now celebrating 40 years of study abroad, IP is inviting all of its former students, leaders and friends to a reunion to be held on Saturday, October 10, in conjunction with the 2009 Homecoming festivities.
Kicking off the day’s events is a coffee on the “Front Porch” of Collins Classroom Center at 9:30 a.m., followed by participation in the all campus picnic on the front lawn of Old Main at 11 a.m.
A celebratory reception will be held in The Encore in the Dreyfus University Center at 4 p.m., with both study abroad alumni and faculty gathered to remember their trips, share stories and look at photo albums and memory books from trips of the past 40 years.
All of these events are offered free of charge, but those attending the 4 p.m. reception are asked to register online at www.uwsp.edu/alumni by clicking on the “Homecoming” link.
“We are so excited to welcome back our International Programs family and celebrate all that study abroad has meant to all of us,” said Eric Yonke, IP director.