Students with an interest in photography can seize an opportunity to take pictures in a foreign country by taking a trip abroad with TCC. Since 2000, associate photography professor Patricia Richards has been leading the Europe trips to teach students new techniques in photography. Because the culture and everyday living is so different, she said students can become immersed in the atmosphere and learn new things. “It’s old world mixed with new,” said NE student David Campbell, who attended the trip to Italy last year. “It’s like you have new eyes. I got to see a lot of what I had only studied when I was younger. It came to life.” In 2010, the three photography trips offered are Spain, Tuscany and France. Campbell said it’s hard to explain how much he enjoyed the trip to Italy, and he would love to go again. He said the photography opportunities are endless, and the atmosphere was tremendous. Campbell said he took about $575 in spending money, which was enough for the trip. “I only got a couple souvenirs,” he said. “But that paid for all of my meals, entrances into museums and bottled waters, which I advise anyone who goes to buy a lot of.” He also said the entire trip was very romantic and the group always stayed in places that were close to their destinations. “If you can afford it, there is no reason not to go,” he said. All trips require enrollment at TCC, course specific registration, traveler insurance, passports and a lot of “get-up-and-go,” Richards said. The trip to Spain will cost $1,250 and is during spring break, March 12-20. The May 14-27 trip to Tuscany will cost $2,175. The June 3-17 trip to France will cost $2,175. “When we hit our next spot, we are like ants jumping out of a van,” Richards said. “We choose these places because there is so much to see and do. You can feel the culture around you there.” The trips do not include airfare,
so participants must purchase that on their own. Richards said participants should also study the places they are going to prepare for the trip. “We are not tour guides,” she said. Richards said she will recommend movies and books, so participants can know more about the culture and history of each place. “If you are going to invest in an experience, you need to take the time to learn more information beforehand,” she said. In Spain, participants will stay in the southernmost region in Andalucía. Richards, who lived there during the time of the Vietnam War, said she loves it because of the culture. Her husband, who was enlisted in the war, was one of the six sent there. She said she felt more thrilled to live there with him. “Andalucía is the heart and soul of Spain,” she said. “It’s where flamenco [dancing] perseveres. There’s always spontaneous dancing in the streets. It’s a deep-seeded Spanish culture.” Jessica Wilson, a student who went on the trip to Italy last year, said she is excited about going to Spain with Richards this year. “Knowing that the world is bigger than my backyard is a thrill to me,” Wilson said. “If in the future I could find a job where I could travel all around, I would take it.” The cost for the Spain trip includes hotel stays in Sevilla, Arcos de la Frontera, Ronda and Tarifa. The trip requires students to be registered in the continuing education course Photography in Spain. Richards said as soon as the participant pays for the trip, she would make the course available for registration. All payments for the Spain trip must be turned in no later than March 1. The Tuscany trip fees are due April 20 and cover hotel stays in Rome, Orvieto, San Galgano, Tuscany, Cinque Terra and Milan. Richards said the hotels are more like homes in Tuscany, and the women who cook the meals cook only for them. “They’ll cook homemade pasta,” she said. “Students will really get to experience the honest culture they have there.” All costs for the France trip are due April 30 and include hotel stays in Paris, an 18th century castle in western France and a 16th century manor house in southwest France. The Tuscany trip and the France trip both require registration in Photo II, Expressive Photography or Photo Digital Imaging I which Richards will make available to the participant once the payment is received. Wilson said the trip she went on last year was a great experience and any student who has the opportunity to go should take it. “It’s not about yourself but about other cultures and how to interact with them,” she said. “We didn’t get a whole lot of sleep on the trip, which was good.” Wilson said every morning the students woke up at 4 a.m. to watch the sunrise. “The lighting was so different over there,” she said. “It was great to photograph.” For more information or to apply, contact Richards at 817- 515-6590 or patricia.richards@ tccd.edu.
