All posts by Gloria Parrott

SPC Jamaica study abroad program is an invaluable experience

Jamaica 2022 (Dental), News, Study Abroad, Travel

The Jamaica study abroad program is an invaluable experience. I have gained a love of international travel, confidence in my skills as a clinician, a love for the people of Jamaica, and a new amazing way to volunteer and be of service to others. When I applied for this program, I hoped that I would be chosen. I believed it would feed my soul while advancing my clinical skills, but I truly did not know the extent of the impact it would make on me.

Everything in Jamaica was amazing, the people are happy, grateful, and radiant. The food is robust and flavorful. The mountainous scenery is lush and green, and the connections made were real and affirming. There were so many worthwhile experiences from spending quality time with classmates to watching my clinical speed increase exponentially each day to unearthing baby turtles to holding an anxious patient’s hand before her first ever “cleaning.” After my first day in the staff clinic, I could feel I was already getting stronger clinically and by the end of my second at the Eltham clinic, I was eager for the opportunity to give injections instead of hesitant. It was the best hands-on learning experience I could have ever asked for.

My favorite day in Jamaica was Friday in the clinic, I was a little homesick to be honest so on the drive in I began repeating to myself “Please help me be a blessing to others today” and my very first patient ended up being a blessing to me instead. He was 16. He was the most lit-from-within person I had ever met. He was so grateful and friendly. He reminded me that I was exactly where I needed to be, all with his smile. All the patients and people I met in Jamaica made me feel grateful I had the knowledge and skill of dental hygiene that I could share.

Returning to the states and clinic after this trip, I feel renewed. I feel so much more competent and confident as a clinician. But mostly I am thankful for how it has opened my heart to learning and sharing as much as I can all over the world. Jamaica may not be wealthy in the conventional sense of the word, but it is extremely rich in culture, unity, and inclusion…ONE LOVE!
– Brei, SPC Jamaica Dental Study Abroad Program, October 2022

SPC students experience Jamaica

Jamaica (Dental), News, Study Abroad, Travel

This trip was an amazing blessing. I am so grateful to have been selected to go and to have this type of opportunity offered through my college. Our stay in Jamaica consisted of days spent working in the clinics that we setup, teaching at local schools about oral health, and “cultural days” where we experienced the local community and resort. I enjoyed learning about the Jamaican culture and meeting some of the wonderful people who populate Ocho Rios. There are so many special moments that made up this trip that I will cherish forever, but a few especially stick out to me.

First, many of the patients who I had the privilege of treating told me they sat waiting for hours to be seen and it was their first cleaning in their life (most of them being older adults). It made me feel so honored to be a part of helping them receive dental care!

Second, going into the local school visiting about ten classes to teach the children about oral health was so fun. The kids were welcoming and were excited to meet us (as we were just as excited to meet all of them!) One little girl I’ll never forget, Samantha, who was in the Special Education unit of the school. After we gave her class our presentation, she came up to me and gave me the longest, sweetest hug while gazing up at me. She hugged me as if we were family and I could have held on to her forever!

Third, I met another little girl in the streets of Ocho Rios on the day we drove around handing out goods and toys to the locals. Her neighborhood was pretty run down and full of children, all who were without shoes. I was able to put a pair of shoes on her feet that we had brought as part of our donations. It was so humbling to just be able to give her some shoes. The stories go on! I will cherish the memories made in Jamaica with my classmates and look forward to possibly doing a trip like this again in the future. I would absolutely recommend this trip to whoever is interested in this type of work. It is a gift you will treasure!
– Victoria, SPC Jamaica Dental Study Abroad Program, October 2022

Studying Business Abroad Thanks To SPC!

France and England, Study Abroad, Travel, Western Europe (Business)

This past summer I was awarded the opportunity to study abroad in Western Europe. For 10 days I studied International Business and Innovation, Change & Agile Projects while touring the historic cities of London, Paris, and Amsterdam. Studying abroad has allowed me to not only experience new places and cultures, but it has also helped me to gain a more global perspective. Another great benefit to studying abroad that I’ve found is that it provides an opportunity to discover yourself while gaining an understanding of those different cultures. One perspective that I’ve gained has been that while traveling in unfamiliar places can become overwhelming, yet liberating for some, the travel experience as a Black-American woman is very much different.

During the trip It became mentally exhausting as I found myself constantly examining every aspect of my behavior from the viewpoint of others, especially while traveling through Western Europe, home to predominantly white countries. While this was not my first study abroad trip- my first being to Costa Rica, this study abroad trip presented its own unique challenges, such as being the only black person in my travel group and even having to navigate instances of overt racism, microaggressions, and stereotypes in the countries we visited. However, learning how not to allow a sour interaction to ruin my trip or perception of the country I’m studying in, really allowed me to turn those negative interactions into moments to be reflective. Therefore, I can say that this study abroad trip was the most eye-opening and rewarding trip of my life. All the different experiences garnered throughout the trip – the good and bad, I’ve found have aided in my personal development by not only testing my ability to adapt to diversely dynamic situations, but also my analytical, problem-solving, and critical thinking skills. I’m grateful for the opportunity to study abroad as it offered me access to empowering experiences I would have never gained otherwise.
– Fabre, SPC Western Europe Study Abroad Program, July 2022

SPC Student has Life Changing Experience

News, Study Abroad, Travel, Western Europe (Business)

The study abroad I experienced during the Summer of 2022 was a life changing experience. Dreams do come true and SPC made it possible by offering me the trip of my life. The mix of emotions I felt when I first landed in London were overwhelming, I wanted to cry, I wanted to dance, I wanted to shout how happy I was to be there, and I had the same feelings when I went to Paris and Amsterdam.


I enjoyed riding the two-story buses in London, I loved traveling by train and subways within the city and then traveling by train to Paris and Amsterdam. The transportation system in Europe is so good that most of the people travel by train, subways, buses, and taxis/Ubers. I truly embraced all these forms of transportations.


The business classes we received were excellent, my favorite classes were the class I received with Dean Mo at Hult International Business School and the class I received with Pavegen’s CEO Laurance Kemball-Cook in London. Mr. Kemball-Cook taught us about his incredible journey as an entrepreneur, his story is so inspiring. These two classes were my favorite.
I fell in love with all the cities I visited and everything I did during our trip. Everything we did was amazing; I enjoyed every bit of it. Being able to learn in depth about the culture and history of the cities I stayed allowed me to have a better understanding about the international business world. The architecture in London is beautiful, I really love the fact I was able to see buildings so old like the oldest bank in the world, the castles, churches, the parliament, the bridges, and many more. At moments I felt like if I was reading a history book and I was in it. I was astonished by the stunning art at the Louvre Museum, I fell in love with France when I visited Montmartre and I saw the city from uphill, and of course I fell in love of the Eiffel Tower, it was fantastic. About Amsterdam, well, after my trip I just want to move to Amsterdam and live in a farm next to the river so then I can I ride a bike and go to the city. Even though I only spent one day in Amsterdam, I think the city is so captivating.
I cry of happiness every time I remember everything I experienced during this incredible trip. I thank Saint Petersburg College from the bottom of my heart for this amazing opportunity.
– Karla, SPC Western Europe Study Abroad Program, July 2022

SPC Students open up about learning experiences in Western Europe

France and England, News, Study Abroad, Travel, Western Europe (Business)

One picture cannot summarize my study abroad experience this summer. When I signed up to be apart of the SA program, I did not imagine the impact it would have on me. When I first signed up, I figured what better way to end my college career taking a course abroad. I love to travel, and Europe had been one of the locations on my list. Leading up to the trip I didn’t feel any anxiety or excitement partially because I was more concern with flight delays. Once I was on the plane it all became real and the anticipation of all we were going to see, do and experience set it. We arrived in London and welcomed by our amazing tour guide and now friend Laura. Laura made sure she was transparent and gave us loads of information and educated us on how to navigate in the city on your own time.  I must admit traveling in London on my own was easy many of us tried it and loved that aspect. Paris, France was an architect lover’s dream, like London a lot of the city maintains is old buildings structures.

It was nice having nuggets of the old world amid new or modern times architecture. Laura arranged for a night boat ride thru the canal the day before we left, so we could see the amazing famous structures lit up.  If you think they are amazing during the day at night they are breathless, a must do when in Paris. Our train ride into our last destination Holland/ Amsterdam was beautiful we were able to see all the picturesque   countryside that we often see on TV or social platforms.  Once there it was like taking a small trip back in time, seeing the ageless and preserved structures. It was amazing seeing people boat living along on canal, riding bikes everywhere by everyone of all ages. Visiting the Anne Frank house was a speechless experience, visiting the cheese farm was super cool, and not to mention the cheese is delicious. What I enjoyed the most where the many places we visited that have so much history but that ate not spotlighted in the media, those fewer common places. I am grateful that I was given the opportunity to partake in this study abroad program and would recommend to anyone of any age to do it.

– Salome, SPC Western Europe Study Abroad Program, July 2022

SPC student : Western Europe awe-inspiring experience

Global Perspectives on Health and Social Care, News, Study Abroad, Travel, Western Europe (Business)

I’d never been so excited to head to the airport, even with crowd and delay nightmares looming. I must admit, the day of travel is always difficult, but meeting the rest of the group made things a lot more bearable. Although we arrived in London a little later than expected, all our worries disappeared when we touched down in Heathrow airport. Driving down the streets of London reminded me a lot of New York City, where I was born. I couldn’t have dreamed of a better way to start off the trip then with a traditional fish and chips dinner. To top it off, we finished with views of Big Ben, Buckingham Palace, Westminster Abbey, and finally, shopping in Covent Garden!

Boarding the EuroStar to Paris was an event in itself! We hit the ground running with a trip to Louvre Museum. No matter how many times you see the works of art reproduced, it doesn’t compare to the real thing! Nothing can prepare you for your first view of the Eifel Tower. Paris is a beautiful mixture of a beautiful countryside village and a posh city!

Arriving to the airport was bittersweet, but the long plane ride home offered a lot of time to reflect. Traveling can be stressful, especially when you are going with people you just met! I wasn’t sure what to expect when I signed up for this trip. I couldn’t have been more blown away and grateful for each experience and each person in the group. It was truly life changing and has lit the fire in me to continue traveling the world!

Another early morning train ride, we arrived in the ‘city of canals,’ Amsterdam! I was blown away by how quaint it was: the architecture, the number of bikes, the houseboats, and of course, the Red-Light District. The Anna Frank House was an emotional and awe-inspiring experience, the cheese and wooden shoe factory was delicious, and spending Sunday morning at a local market made me feel just a little bit more like a local! Of all the cities we visited, Amsterdam is where I could see myself living. I suppose I’ll have to start saving now, since a houseboat can go for almost a million dollars! Although our trip was almost over, ending it in Amsterdam made it just a little bit sweeter; the Stroopwafels helped too!
– Erica, SPC Western Europe Study Abroad Program, July 2022

SPC Europe Study Abroad : The Experience You Won’t Regret

France and England, News, Study Abroad, Travel, Western Europe (Business)
The dome of St. Pauls Cathedral from rear view.

Any study abroad experience will open doors and mindfulness for students at SPC. Through my experience, I was able to gain immense knowledge and insight into the lifestyle and cultural differences in various countries around Europe. Although there are many similarities to our way of life in America, there are also immense differences. For example, public transportation is far more accessible, making the ability to travel not only to other cities but also to other countries at the reach of your fingertips. This gives the opportunity to experience a wide range of activities and parts of history in a timely fashion and affordable rate. The culture of European people is also far different from that in America. It is easy to find people to be leisurely and enjoy their time rather than being in a rush to go nowhere. This gave me insight into slowing down to smell the roses along the way and never taking a second of what I have for granted. In our fast-paced lifestyles, it can easily be forgotten to take a step back and appreciate what we have in our lives.

Europe has such a wide range of history to offer, and I’m not saying that the United States does not, it’s just more diverse than what we have. The infrastructure is far more stunning than anything I have ever seen before. And to think most of it has been there for hundreds of years. Being able to see it in real life and take appreciation for its sustainability is something I never thought I would actually get to experience. After this abroad trip, and I hope for many others, will remind them to take a leap of faith and strive to achieve their biggest dreams. Nothing is too far out of reach if you are dedicated enough to get there. You as an individual are your biggest hurdle to overcome in life, and everything is about perspective. If there is one major takeaway from this experience for me, and I hope for many others, is to reflect upon your perspective. When you catch yourself in a negative spiral, take a step back and look at the big picture of life, appreciate all you have, and know there will always be opportunities out there for you to spread your wings, all you have to do is alter the perspective. A trip like this may be all you need to assist you in doing so.
– Cheyanne, SPC Western Europe Study Abroad Program, July 2022

I am very fortunate to have had the opportunity to study abroad during the summer of 2022 in London, Paris, and Amsterdam. The experience has given me a renewed love for traveling and living. The opportunity introduced three new and very different cultures than here in the U.S. Moreover, the study abroad opportunity had us living like a local!
It was amazing to experience the mass transit systems in each city, which are vastly different from what we have in St. Petersburg. One of my favorite days was in London, and I visited Hult University. Our discussions on cultural diversity reinforced the cultural diversity class I had taken the previous semester. We also met with a couple of CEOs and understood the successful business models implemented to grow their organizations. One rule – Sometimes you have to break the rules! – Thanks, Mr. Kemball-Cook.


Of every location, Paris was my absolute favorite city. The people and their engagement in politics, to stand up for their rights and preserve history, was so conflicting yet totally French. A fond memory that will always stay with me is walking down the Latin Quarter and listening to a violinist; as a classical music enthusiast, this was experiencing a dream in reality. I never wanted to leave and shed a tear when boarding the Eurostar.
Amsterdam was so profoundly different from London or Paris. This was the one city where I truly felt the culture shock. When arriving in Amsterdam, we walked off the Eurostar and hiked 5 miles (most likely exaggerating the distance) to the coach (bus); though challenging, it was also an experience I will never forget.
There are many memories that I will always have and new friendships that I will forever treasure. If you are considering taking the plunge to study abroad, do it! Financial aid is available, and you will not regret.
– Leeza, SPC Western Europe Study Abroad Program, July 2022

SPC student loves Salamanca abroad program

News, Spain 2019, Spain 2022, Spain 2023, Study Abroad, Travel

Traveling the world and experiencing different cultures has always been something I want to do. So when I learned about the trip to Salamanca, I knew I had to do it. My first time out of the country truly exceeded all my expectations. Salamanca is a magical place. From the people, to the food, to the views, it really is a place everyone should visit. I felt so safe and comfortable there even though my Spanish was at a beginner level. Being surrounded by the culture everyday made me eager to learn more about the language.

I am so grateful to Professor Roxana, the professors at Estudio Sampere and my group for making this trip everything it was. From the moment we all met, our group became a little family. I learned so much from each one of them and made friends for a lifetime. Estudio Sampere had an incredible way of making us feel welcomed, and at home. I genuinely enjoyed going to school everyday to learn and simply just be in the presence of the teachers and students. Now when it comes to Professor Roxana, I can’t thank her enough. From the wonderful excursions planned for us everyday, to the tutoring, the laughs, the tours, the stories, she allowed us the chance to fully immerse ourselves in the culture of Salamanca and helped each of us fall in love with the city.

My favorite part about the trip was our trip to San Sebastian and Biarritz, France. This short weekend was filled with the most beautiful views, delicious food, and amazing memories. It was so cool to experience completely different cultures and languages in just two days. Whenever I come back to Europe, I will definitely be coming back to these places. Everyday in Salamanca was a dream come true. The walks to school, the conversations with our host family, all of the amazing friends I made, the food and so much more are all things that changed my perspective on life. I learned more than I ever could have imagined and now all I can think about is returning back some day. I absolutely recommend studying abroad to everyone. The friends and memories you make and everything you learn is something everyone should experience. Me encanta Salamanca.
– Samantha, SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, July 2022

SPC students experience Western Europe

France 2019, France and England, News, Study Abroad, Travel, Western Europe (Business)

I wanted to take this opportunity to tell you about my experience studying abroad for 10 days in Europe. I was there for the Innovation, Change & Agile Projects class. I got the chance to see different types of business operations while I was over there and had the chance to meet with a couple different Industry experts. They taught us a lot about the different hoops that certain businesses have to jump through and how they operate on a daily basis. Having this experience helped to gain a new perspective on business and inspired me in new ways when it comes to daily business operations.

Along with the educational experience about business, our group of 11 also got to experience the culture of London, Paris, and Amsterdam. We had a lot of fun together in all 3 cities as each one had its own identity and culture. I loved getting to explore each city in my own way as we got to see different sides of each city. While we were in London, we did a city tour and went down to Picadilly Circus where we got see the night life in London. It was cool to see and reminded me of being in a city that never sleeps. During our free time, I decided to bike through the city with 4 other people and we go to see so many of the beautiful sites that London has to offer. It caused a lot of anxiety due to being so close to the cars and remembering to stay on the left side of the road, but I am extremely glad that I did it because I got to see so much of the city, and it has inspired me to try it on my future travels.

The next city that we went to was Paris. I have been to Paris before, but I got the chance to see some of the changes that occurred and some different sites that I did not get to see the time before this past time. I got the chance to see where they moved all of the locks since they were too heavy for the bridge that they were on previously, we got to see the love wall where couples write “I Love You” in all different languages, and, sadly, we got to see the current restoration process of the Notre Dame. The whole city took my breath away as it was hard to believe that I was even in Paris to begin with. We ended our time in Paris with a Seine River cruise that ended with seeing the Eiffel Tower sparkle at midnight. We then moved on to Amsterdam for final two days of our trip before we had to head home.

While in Amsterdam, we explored a local outdoor market, took a city bus and walking tour, and visited a cheese farm where we learned about the cheese making process and the process of making wooden shoes. It was cool experience, and the farmer was hilarious. The whole trip was an experience that I will never forget, and I was able to form some lasting relationships while were there. I hope that in the future other students get to have a study abroad experience that was as educational, inspiring, and amazing as mine was.
– Cheyenne, SPC Western Europe Study Abroad Program, July 2022

SPC Salamanca Study Abroad: Surrounded by the Culture

News, Spain 2022, Study Abroad, Travel

The study abroad to Salamanca, Spain was an amazing experience. The city is a beautiful older town where one of the oldest universities are. Walking to school everyday was enjoyable as the walk was breathtaking. Usually no one enjoys going to school but the program that we studied Spanish through made school more exciting to go to. Estudio Sampere may seem difficult but the professors there are amazing. They help you really grasp the language and make you want to learn more. With tutoring every morning that also helped others and I fully grasp the language. Our professor, Mrs. Levin was not just our tutor but a friend, doctor, and an amazing tour guide. I went to Spain with very little knowledge of Spanish but really being there and surrounded by the culture it helped me drastically learn the language.


The excursions everyday after school also helped me progress more in the language, everything was spoken or written in Spanish and with the help of Professor Levin I could understand the tour guides and what I was visiting. The excursions included museums, sight seeing, and cultural lessons. For the weekend excursions we visited France, San Sebastián, Segovia, and La Alberca. France was and San Sebastián was by far my favorite place to visit. San Sebastián we stayed in for a night at a beautiful hotel and climbed a gorgeous mountain that had a restaurant in the middle of the mountain. France was a beach town full of stores and beautiful sights. After the weekend to France our last week was a celebration and we took our final exam. It was a sad goodbye and if i could do it again, I would. This trip opened up my knowledge to another culture and language while also opened me up socially, I made amazing friends and created unforgettable memories from this trip. Forever will be thankful for this opportunity, the friends I made, and professor Levin for making this trip amazing.
– Amanda , SPC Spain Study Abroad Program, June 2022