In May, 31 students, faculty and guests from Elizabethtown Community and Technical College travelled to Japan on a cultural tour.
The study abroad trip, led by ECTC Chair of Global Studies & International Partnerships Kevin Parrett, included visits to several shrines, temples, mountains, cities and villages, according to a press release from the college.
“I have taken literally hundreds of students to 40 different countries around the world over the past decade at ECTC,” Parrett said in the release. “This was truly one of the most impactful trips I have led with ECTC. The group came together to focus on the culture of Japan, and many of the historical sites we saw were thousands of years old.”
ECTC leads the Kentucky Community and Technical College System in study abroad, according to the release. Parrett has led more than 50 group trips, including trips to Iceland, England, India, Poland, Austria and New Zealand.
Participants on this trip included 15 students, 13 of whom are ECTC Honours students, six faculty members and 10 community members. They visited the cities of Tokyo, Hakone, Takayama, Kyoto, Osaka and Hiroshima.
“This trip to Japan was one of the best experiences I have ever had,” said ECTC student Joey Dunn in the release. “I don’t think the trip could have gone any better and I look forward to going on more trips in the future.”
The group visited Tokyo landmarks, including the Imperial Palace Gardens and the Meiji Shrine. They also visited villages and markets, and travelled to Hiroshima on a bullet train travelling at more than 200 miles per hour.
“This was the cultural experience of a lifetime,” said tour member Felicia Darensbourg in the release. “I learned more in just a few days than I could ever have from any history book, and I’ve gained a new respect for the people of Japan. Their history, their pride in their culture, their pride in themselves and their unsurpassed work ethic were all overwhelming.
Parrett will lead upcoming tours to Spain and Morocco in May 2024, Ireland, Scotland, England and France in October 2024 and Israel in November 2024. Scholarships are available for students.
