TROY, Ala. (TROJANVISION) — Students from the Hall School of Journalism and Communication (HSJC) recently traveled to Ireland, Scotland, England and Wales as part of Troy University’s study abroad program.

HSJC director Robin Taylor says study abroad is a great way for students to get an understanding of different areas around the world.

“It has a global impact on our students,” Taylor said. “It makes them aware but it also sets them apart from other students. They’re able to go out into the world, understand that even though we have different cultures and different languages, people are essentially the same. They understand how to operate in a global globally-competitive way.”

Students who went on the trip learned about cultures but also from other parts of the world.

“We had to interview people for our assignments so I got to interview a lot of different kinds of people,” student Laura Stokley explained. “None of them were actually originally from London. They were all from Denmark or maybe Scotland and just like places all over the world that weren’t even really where we were.”

“I’ve learned a lot about the culture of Ireland and England and Scotland,” student Chloe Meadows said.

The group traveled to many landmarks and sites during the trip, including museums and historical buildings.

“My favorite part of the trip was to Kilmainham Gaol, Dublin, because I really didn’t know much about like the Irish history before the trip,” Meadows told TrojanVision. “Getting to see all that was really, really interesting to see.”

“I remember taking a picture from all the parliament buildings and that was really fun,” student Wesley Bagwell said.

One highlight of the trip was a tour to the BBC in Wales. Students were shown the facilities and were able to see how a global news source works, both on screen and behind the scenes.

“It was absolutely more than I expected,” Stokley explained. “It was absolutely amazing. I learned a lot about my field and what I want to do so I really liked that trip because it was really informative. It was also really fun.”

Taylor wants students who went on the trip and those who stayed at home to know they can make a place in the world no matter where they came from.

“I think the most important thing is for students to understand that the world is a very big place and they can be a very big part of it. We’re in small town Alabama but that doesn’t mean that you can’t go out and conquer the world.”

After its 10 day-long trip, the group arrived back safely in Atlanta on Tuesday, June 13.