Three Arcadia seniors are rounding out their time as Knights the same way they started: studying in Greece together.

Jennifer Coulibaly ’26, Kelsi Warner ’26, and Joseph McManus ’26 traveled to the southeastern European country for Preview the World during their first year, and now have the opportunity to return right after Commencement as part of the Global Field Study (GFS) course, Greece: Labyrinth, Lore, and Landscape. The desire to go back to Greece came for Coulibaly and Warner almost immediately after returning from their Preview the World trip.

“After getting back from Preview, I knew that I would eventually be going back, whether it was by myself or with Arcadia,” Warner, who is majoring in Media and Communication with a concentration in Public Relations, said. “Preview ended up being one of the best trips I have ever taken, so because of that, I jumped on the opportunity when I saw it on the GFS course list for the spring.”

“I’d been wanting to go to Greece since I was 11, so when I had the opportunity to go for Preview, it was almost perfect, like the stars aligned for me,” Coulibaly, a Media and Communication major with a concentration in Public Relations, added. “While I loved going for Preview, spring break was too short. I wanted our trip to expand to more places, so when writing my course evaluation, I begged for this class to be turned into a GFS class.”

For McManus, a Psychology major, the chance to return to Greece presented a cyclical life moment.

“I was attracted to Greece for Preview because I grew up around myths and stories, and I dedicated my childhood to finding out as much as I could,” he said. “I always knew I would get to go one day, but I was fortunate and amazed I could go so early with Preview. The GFS was simply to round out my education–start an academic journey with Greece and end it with Greece.”

The GFS course is taught by Allyson McCreery, associate director of the International Peace and Conflict Resolution (IPCR) Program and graduate success navigator for the Division of Student Success, and Rhianon Visinsky, adjunct professor of English. They have taught together all over the world, from Glenside to Germany to Greece. Seeing students expand their horizons through study abroad experiences is something they do not grow tired of.

“Experiential learning is such a powerful and transformative experience for many of our students,” McCreery said. “Seeing them grow and apply learning outside of the classroom is very fulfilling as an instructor–it reminds us why we lead these courses. 

“In addition to Preview and GFS in Greece, Kelsi, Joe, and Jenny have all joined us in other GFS courses in Germany and Great Britain. This really speaks to the strong faculty-student rapport built in these classes. I am so proud of these students for their intellectual curiosity and courage to travel the world and learn new things. Opportunities like this, and students like Kelsi, Joe, and Jenny, are what make Arcadia so special.”

Warner, McManus, and Coulibaly each mentioned something different about the Greek culture that they enjoyed.

Warner dove head first into the food, enjoying all that meal times offered.

“From the fresh-squeezed orange juice, to the gyros, everything is super fresh and filling,” she explained. “I also enjoy the culture around meal time in Greece. Many times, dinner is highly conversational, and I get to learn a lot about the surrounding area and traditions from the staff at the restaurant.”

McManus had the chance to slow down, taking the day as it came to him.

“It was hard to wrap my head around because there is this lackadaisical approach to life,” he said. “I am embracing it more. No set times, no stress, just a Mediterranean diet and the comfort of a slow day.”

And for Coulibaly, it was being able to converse in Greek.

“I was excited to practice what I’d learned with the locals, and they were thoroughly impressed and confused,” she said. “I got a lot of ‘How do you know that? Your pronunciation is better than any American I’ve heard,’ or ‘Bravo bravo.’”

After graduation, the trio will go their own ways, but they will carry lessons learned from studying abroad with them.

“I plan to finish my pilot’s license and continue to travel the world,” Warner said. “Studying abroad has helped me to realize how many opportunities and experiences there are outside of your comfort zone.”

Coulibaly added: “I’m doing an internship for a PR Agency in Philly. I feel studying abroad helped me be more independent in both big and small cities.

McManus will be staying at Arcadia for graduate study.

“I could not have finished my degree without the help of my two amazing professors, Profs. McCreery and Visinsky, who have mentored me and have taken me to places I never thought possible in my young life. I am immensely grateful.” 

“I am going to start my master’s in the fall here at Arcadia,” he continued. “The IPCR master’s was enticing for someone like me who has traveled all over and has seen such different perspectives of life.”