Six Pike County Schools students had an opportunity to take a study abroad trip to Greece. 

Jodi Jefcoat, CA3L director, said six students and two chaperones participated in a spring Study Abroad Program with Troy University. Paige Roddy, Reese Sleasman, Carson King, Jose Ramirez, Maddie Sneed and Abby Franklin were the Pike County Schools students that participated in the study abroad trip. Jefcoat said the students were dual-enrolled at Troy University, which made them eligible for the trip.  

“Since the students are dual enrolled with Troy University, they were able to take advantage of the Chancellor’s Scholarship,” Jefcoat said. “Students were only asked to raise $500 each and bring money for meals, which were not included. The majority of the funding was provided by the Pike County Board of Education.  It was a significant investment for our board to make, which affirms their commitment to providing opportunities for our students well beyond the classroom walls.  It was a once in a lifetime opportunity. Greece is a beautiful country, and I know everyone will be forever grateful for the experience.”

The students left for a nine-day trip to Greece on May 27. The program included four days in Athens where students took a walking tour of the city and visited the Plaka District, the temple of Olympian Seus, the Acropolis and Acropolis Museum, the Olympic Stadium, Syntagma Square, the Parthenon, the Temple of Athena Nike. They also toured the nearby Saronic Islands and visited Aegina, Poros and Hydra. 

The last day in Athens, the students were allowed to explore on their own before the group traveled by boat on the Corinth Canal to the Argolida Region. There they visited Epidaurus, Mycenae and Olympia. The students also visited the Oracle at Delphi and the Delphi Archaeological Museum.

The Pike County Schools students were part of a larger group of 33 students in the Troy University Study Abroad Program. 

Dee Bennett, Troy University assistant professor of instructional leadership and administration, said the study abroad program offered unique opportunities for dual enrolled students. 

“This was a unique opportunity for our dual enrollment students to travel with us on the study abroad trip to Greece,” Bennett said. “These students were a valuable asset to the trip with their knowledge and curiosity while they took advantage of the exposure to a variety of history and culture. The opportunity to include the PCS dual enrollment students offered real world experiences to support and enrich their international studies program.”

Dr. Mark Bazzell, superintendent of Pike County Schools, said it was important to continue to seek ways to provide students with educational opportunities.

“We are proud to partner with Troy University and offer our students the opportunity to study abroad,” Bazzell said. “This program not only broadens their academic horizons, but also fosters cultural awareness, independence and global citizenship.”

The students said the trip would have a lasting impact on them. 

“Honestly, it was an amazing trip! I’m so glad that I was able to experience being around another culture and getting to learn about everything there for myself,” Roddy said. “It was such an eye-opening opportunity, and it makes me excited to explore many more countries in the future! I’m so glad that I got to do this through Pike County Schools and Troy University”

Ramirez said the trip helped him learn more about himself and his fellow students. 

“’We’re going to get to know each other so well that by the end of this trip, we’ll be a family,’” Ramirez said. “That quote couldn’t have been more true. Our study abroad in Greece made me discover many things about myself, build lasting friendships, and bonds with teachers I’ll always treasure.”

King said the trip was something he may never get to do again. 

“This was truly the experience of a lifetime, we got to see many historic monuments and sights, meet new friends, and learn about the foundations of leadership which started in the great country of Greece,” King said. “I’m so thankful for anyone who worked to give us this opportunity, and I wouldn’t have traded it for anything.”

Gina Franklin traveled with her daughter, Abby, and said, as a parent, she was grateful for the opportunity presented to her daughter. 

“I had the pleasure of accompanying my daughter, Abby, on her study abroad trip to Greece through the Troy University Study Abroad Program since she is a dual enrollment academy student with Goshen High School,” Franklin said.  “This provided her with an amazing opportunity to learn about the rich history, culture and way of life in Greece. We navigated ancient ruins, immersed ourselves in the local communities, and came back with much more than souvenirs. This trip was our first international one, and certainly won’t be the last. As a parent, I am very grateful for the opportunity this trip provided for my daughter and what she learned and experienced during her time there.”