West Windsor, N.J. -- As they prepared their taste buds for Italy with pizza before heading to the airport, the 23 students who comprise MCCC's first Study Abroad group in a decade got last-minute instructions from program coordinator Andrea Lynch, along with good wishes from MCCC administrators.

Addressing the group, MCCC President Pat Donohue said, "This is a learning trip. Everything you do will be a learning experience - the places and the people." She asked students to represent Mercer well and pave the way for many future study abroad experiences for Mercer students.

Added Vice President Guy Generals, "Have fun, learn much and absorb much. Have a safe and educational trip."

International student Maghia Neuman, who hails from Johannesburg, South Africa, never imagined she would have an opportunity to travel to Italy as part of her Mercer experience. She and her classmates, who are enrolled in either "Food and Culture" or "International Architecture and Culture" courses, will keep daily journals of their travels, which they will present in their final class on June 3.

Students are traveling with three faculty members, including Lynch, Marilyn Dietrich and Chris dePagnier. They leave today and will return May 28.