This summer, selected students will travel to seven European countries during a 19-day period as part of Mississippi State’s first senior trip. The trip, endorsed by the MSU Alumni Association, begins May 10 and ends May 28. Students may choose to add four extra days, extending the trip to June 1.
Students will visit London, Paris, Amsterdam, the Rhine Valley, Munich, Salzburg, Venice, Rome and Florence. The four optional add-on days will be spent in the Greek Isles and Athens.
Senior class president Elisha Blades said that she and Libba Andrews, associate director of alumni activities, brainstormed for the trip. Blades said they were both interested in starting new programs and traditions for the university.
When Andrews received information from a colleague at the University of Georgia concerning European tours for colleges, she suggested it to Blades. After Andrews researched the program and checked on the background of the travel agency, the trip became a reality.
The first time slot for the trip has already filled up, Andrews said. Students can still sign up for the second time slot, which is May 14 through June 1 or June 5 with the optional Athens and Greek Isles addition.
The latest possible deadline will probably be late March, and spots will be filled on a first-come, first-serve basis, Andrews said.
Blades said the trip will start out small and hopefully build a solid reputation, thus increasing numbers for the next years.
“We want to build it to a program of 60 to 75 people like it has at other universities,” said Blades.
Andrews and Blades said that Mississippi State students will be traveling with students from two other universities, Florida State University and Indiana University.
“This is a time to meet new people and a time to have a great experience with fellow Mississippi State students,” Blades said.
Andrews said the goal for the first trip, 10 students, has already been reached.
While the trip is primarily intended for graduating seniors, Andrews said the trip is open to other MSU students, she said.
The tour is coordinated through Orion Worldwide Travel, based out of Alexandria, Va. According to Orion’s Web site, the agency specializes in senior trips and graduation trips with the purpose of rewarding students for their hard work through well-guided, planned and safe tours.
Blades said that this trip is an excellent graduation gift and a great way to finish up the final year of school.
“This is going to be an amazing experience for a bargain. It’s a once-in-a-lifetime trip,” she said.
Blades, who has never been to Europe, said that she is looking forward to the trip, especially visiting Greece and the alpine resort. She said she loves Greece because of its history and beauty and is excited about staying in the alpine resort near the Swiss Alps.
“I’ve never been before, and it’s a chance for me to be a part of a new tradition at Mississippi State,” she said.
Andrews said she likes Orion’s planning and organization of the trip.
“One of the things I like about this is in each place you go there are structured activities and free times,” Andrews said. “It gives you a chance to do some exploring on your own if you want to.”
“Your college experience is about growing up, making memories and getting an education. This is just one more piece of that pie.”
For additional information and the link to Orion’s Web site, visit www.alumni.msstate.edu/travel.