A cultural interchange between Pennsylvania College of Technology and visitors from North West Regional College in Northern Ireland – a two-week whirlwind that was five years in the making – came to a close with memories indelibly shared and lives irrevocably altered.

Ten students and two chaperones flew into Philadelphia International Airport before transporting to Williamsport for an immersive variety of activities. The group experienced a number of academic areas at Penn College – human services, dental hygiene, nursing, radiography, paramedic, history, etc. – engaged in discussions about apprenticeship and study-abroad programs, and took in regional attractions that included shopping and the World of Little League Museum.

“This has been genuinely out of this world,” said NWRC’s Stephanie McGuinness, curriculum manager and a lecturer in health and social care. “We have been absolutely blessed by the inspiration you’ve given us and the kindness you’ve shown us. The opportunities you granted these students changed their lives, and we are going home as very different people.”

“These students” proved to be an enthusiastic and personable bunch, ages 18 to 22 and evenly split between health studies and social care majors. They are Alisha Catterson, Kayleigh Clifford, Kayla Mulvaney, Jace Bailey, Zack Ford, Blaithin Skeet, Emma Gallagher-Cooke, Natalie Eckeberg-Timoney, Nicole O’Neill and Emily McGuinness.

“Thank you for having us, for driving us and for listening to our bad jokes,” said Bláthnaid Leonard, a lecturer in health and social care, who accompanied Stephanie McGuinness and the students. “Without your help, we would never have had the opportunity to visit ‘small-town America,’ and we’re grateful that you put up with our daily madcappery.”

Penn College President Michael J. Reed, grateful for the partnership and looking forward to cultivating the relationship with NWRC, said, “This experience has been equally beneficial for our students, faculty, staff and community members who engaged with our guests.”

“Our visitors’ outlook and personal stories of perseverance and service were truly inspiring,” he added. “Their gratitude, witty humor and the lessons we learned from them made all efforts more than worthwhile.”

The trip had been in the works since Bronagh Fikri, NWRC’s European and international projects officer, made an apprenticeship-related visit to Penn College in 2018 in conjunction with the Pennsylvania Department of Community & Economic Development.

The back-to-back-to-back complications of Brexit, COVID-19 and the war in Ukraine stymied progress until – in just three weeks – arrangements were made for what is hoped will be a recurring program.

Shannon M. Munro, vice president for workforce development and one of the key people on hand during that 2018 introduction, was equally instrumental in making sure the March entourage had the best possible experience.

She worked with her college co-workers and off-campus contacts to craft a purposeful and pleasurable itinerary, and led off the tour-ending discussion in the Davie Jane Gilmour Center.

“To the students – Alisha, Kayleigh, Kayla, Jace, Zack, Blaithin, Emma, Natalie, Nicole and Emily – I hope you have enjoyed your time here and have learned from us as we learned from you,” Munro told the inaugural group. “We expect that you have set the path for more exchanges in the future for our students and for yours. This has been a powerful and eye-opening experience for us at Penn College and all those who have interacted with you.”