American River College students interested in studying abroad will have an opportunity to spend a semester in Florence or London this year.

An informational meeting will be held this Thursday in Raef Hall 160 from 12:15 p.m. to 1:15 p.m.

Students will learn more about completing college credits while studying abroad. The cost will be explained and an option for both a summer and a fall program will be available at the meeting.

According to the official Los Rios Study Abroad Program website, in order to qualify a student must be 18 years or older and in good academic standing. Students must have completed 12 units by the time of the trip and have a minimum GPA of 2.25.

This opportunity is offered by the Los Rios Community College District. According to their website, the goal of the study abroad program is to: “provide students, faculty, and the community at large with the knowledge, skills, and cultural experiences necessary to become well prepared members of a global society.” This is in hope that students will learn to participate in an international community.

According to ARC psychology professor Mark Stewart, previous Study Abroad students describe their trips as some of the most valuable experiences of their lives.

Stewart will be providing information about the London summer study abroad trip at the meeting on Thursday.

“We’ll go over the reasons to study abroad, the classes offered, housing options, basic itineraries, dates, costs, and how to apply,” says Stewart.

Along with Stewart, anthropology professor Kristina Casper-Denman and history professor Bill Wrightson will inform students on the fall study abroad trip to London as well as the trip to Florence in the summer.

For more information, email [email protected] or check out the “study abroad” tab on the American River College website.