Study Abroad Programs
State Center Community College District (SCCCD) offers various study abroad opportunities through the Fresno City College, Reedley College, Clovis Community College, Madera Community College, and Oakhurst campus. These programs are developed, coordinated, and led by the district Coordinator of International Education, Dr. Margaret Hiebert, and faculty at the campuses, and cover various areas of study and different locations throughout the world. Approximately 600 students have participated in study abroad programs since 2001.
Resources are available to help you pay for your study abroad program!
If you wish to speak to someone about any of the programs, or receive a Study Abroad application, please contact:
Dr. Margaret Hiebert, Coordinator of International Education at margaret.hiebert@scccd.edu.
Insurance Required: Students must purchase trip cancellation and interruption insurance that includes "cancel for any reason" coverage, as well as Covid coverage for things like quarantine costs, flight change fees, etc.. There are many companies that offer this. SCCCD International Education Program recommends you check with your current insurance or other top national brands at www.insuremytrip.com. If your study abroad provider program fees cover health insurance, you may be able to add this additional travel coverage to that policy.
State Center Community College District International Education Program recommends the COVID-19 vaccine for all students and faculty participating on study abroad programs as many countries now require vaccination (and sometimes also a negative test) for entry. For each program, an official decision will be made before the final registration date (usually 90 days before departure) if a program will be offered or not based on minimum number of students required (10 for most programs to cover all costs) and safety factors which include, but are not limited to:
Study Abroad Locations
Pending state and federal travel guidelines as well as campus and district administrator approval, SCCCD will offer the following study abroad programs:
Honors Program Study in Ireland

Summer 2023
You are invited to join a study-abroad program to Ireland! This is a program for any students from Fresno City College, Reedley College, Clovis Community College, and Madera Community College. Though the courses offered are Honors courses, students needn't be in the Honors program to participate.
This tour is based in Donegal, Ireland, a town on the Atlantic coast near to Glenveigh Castle and National Park. Venture to Yeats’s Country to see the landscapes that inspired W.B. Yeats. Experience Irish culture and museums in Dublin. Listen to stories of “The Troubles” in Derry City, Northern Ireland. Classes are taught by honors faculty at SCCCD and expert guest lecturers from the Institute of Study Abroad Ireland. Guided field trips are led by faculty and expert guides. All outdoor and adventure activities are led by qualified instructors.
Honors 4 - International Cultural Exploration (2 Units) provides a framework for students to visit, examine, and analyze a country outside the United States to learn about the place and people. There will also be one content course--TBA.
Cost is approximately $2,500-$2,900 based on the number of participants. Various forms of student financial aid are available.
To receive additional information on the program as it becomes available please fill in this form.
For more information, you many also contact: Julio Trevino
Costa Rica / Panama

Summer 2023
Experience the culture and diverse ecosystems of Costa Rica, spot wildlife, tour rural vs. urban healthcare centers, and cross into Panama to enjoy a Caribbean beach. This 14-day study abroad program will allow students to experience the culture of these tropical countries and identify ways environment and culture impact application, acceptance, and availability of healthcare practices. We will begin in the busy, urban city of San Jose, touring hospitals, and universities, shadowing public health nurses, and spending a day at The Costa Rican Humanitarian Foundation working with Nicaraguan refugees. We will travel to the cloud forest of Monteverde, take a boat up a river and through canals to the isolated village of Tortuguero, and enjoy some time at the beach in Panama. For more information, please contact Dr. Margaret Hiebert at margaret.hiebert@scccd.edu.
Florence

Summer 2023
Summer 2023, the District is offering a 3-week study abroad program to study art in Florence, Italy. Courses offered are GE transfer-level courses with no prerequisites. Art 2 will be taught by Elena Harvey-Collins, and Introduction to Crafts will be taught by Hiromi Uyeda. Depending on enrollment, one more class might be offered. More info soon.