Clifton Forge, VA (Oct. 24, 2025)— Embarking on a "Study Abroad" adventure is a dream for many students and locals alike. This spring, Mountain Gateway Community College (MGCC) is turning that dream into an accessible reality for the second time. MGCC's program has now made it possible to explore the iconic streets of London and Paris, immerse oneself in rich history, enjoy vibrant culture, enjoy delicious food, and view world-renowned art for eight whole days with a price of under $4,000.
The Journal sat down to speak with one of the organizers, Dr. Matt McGraw, on Wednesday, October 23, to learn a bit more about the exciting "Study Abroad" program set to take off this May. Perhaps the most interesting part is that it is not just open to students, but the community as a whole.
"The idea was to create a 'Study Abroad/Travel Abroad' program that was appropriate for our student body here," Dr. McGraw said. "We wanted it to be useful for the experienced travelers, but also useful for people who had never been abroad before." As such, Mountain Gateway's Chief Workforce Officer (McGraw) said it was important to MGCC that they not only focus on building the program, but making it affordable, meaningful, and applicable to students, no matter what program they were in.
When it comes to affordability, Dr. McGraw noted a few ways they managed to shave some of the costs such as partaking in free tours as opposed to ones that'd have to be paid for. The cost for the trip is just $3,800 and includes airfare, hotel, the welcome dinner, and all breakfasts. The best part is that the $3,800 does not have to be paid in full. Rather, the deposit is just $500 and payment plans are available from now until May.
Speaking of May, the trip will run from May 18, 2026 — May 25, 2026. After the first trip concluded, McGraw and Tina Dressler —associate professor and co-organizer— took note of the feedback and worked to make this trip even better! Two of the major recommendations from students were that (a) they would have rather "eaten at a pub" than partake in a fancy meal and (b) they would have loved to have spent an entire day in the gardens of Versailles as opposed to having a brief visit there.
As the good book says, "Ask and you shall receive." This year, with the exception of the welcome dinner and breakfasts, participants in the "Study Abroad" program have more freedom to visit the restaurants of their choosing for lunch and dinner. Additionally, they have added what's called "Structured Free Time." In the pamphlet, there are several recommendations each day for participants to get an idea of how they could spend their time and can, essentially, customize their own experience to suit their personal preferences.
For more information on the "Study Abroad" program, pay a visit to Dr. Matt McGraw in McCarthy Hall or you can visit the "Study Abroad Association" at www.studyabroadassociation.com. |  | Photo courtesy of Dr. Matt McGraw
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