An Exciting Experience in England:Maddie French ‘27 Prepares to Study Abroad at York College in Europe
Looking to complete a study abroad experience before she graduates, Maddie French ‘27 discovered an opportunity to travel to England to complete an internship and her 2026 Fall Semester at York College & University Centre.
Two years ago, Maddie French ‘27, a Professional Writing major with a double minor in Creative Writing and Marketing, and her family took a trip to Europe. They explored many famous sites, including Windsor Castle, the River Thames, and the Cliffs of Howth, and from that trip she discovered a love of travel and new cultures. When she returned home, Maddie made it a personal goal to travel abroad again, hopeful for an opportunity that would complement her education.
It wouldn’t be long before, in 2025, York College of Pennsylvania would establish a partnership with York College & University Centre in Yorkshire, England. As part of the international collaboration, the institutions hoped that their respective students would be able to travel abroad to the United States and the United Kingdom for educational opportunities.
Maddie saw her chance and, after working with York College’s study abroad program and two professors, will be traveling to England. Not only will she be spending her upcoming Fall Semester at York College & University Centre, but she will be completing a marketing internship to help celebrate the Yorkshire college’s 200th anniversary.
“When I was abroad with my family, I knew that I had to go back eventually,” Maddie said. “So I’m very lucky to get to do it again so soon.”
Roots in Writing
Maddie originally came to York College from Atglen, PA, as an English major. She was looking for a school with classes that would allow her to form close connections within her studies with students and staff, and she has felt York College has accomplished that for her over the years.
“I enjoy being in classes where I feel very connected to my peers,” Maddie said. “I know all of my peers in my major, and I enjoy being surrounded by people who are just as passionate about my major and my focus as I am.”
Her love of writing and literature stemmed from her mother's 20 years as a librarian. Maddie has also been inspired by many English and writing teachers she has had during her time in high school. It wasn’t long before deciding she wanted to focus her studies on more writing and switch to a Professional Writing major.
Since then, Maddie has worked as a student ambassador, a writing tutor, a research assistant for the Young Scholars in Writing website, and an orientation leader. She has also worked as one of the editors for The York Review, York College’s on-campus literary magazine.
Goals in Marketing
To prepare for the trip, Maddie received support from two professors in the York College English and Writing major: Dr. Michael Zerbe, an English Professor and the Director of Global Learning, and Dr. Dominic DelliCarpini, her advisor and the Naylor Endowed Professor of Writing Studies.
When Maddie expressed interest in studying abroad, Dr. DelliCarpini helped her connect with Dr. Zerbe to develop a plan. When the chance to study in England arose, Maddie eagerly accepted and began preparations for the trip, which included taking an extra writing course that was modified to cover editing, style, and British grammar and spelling for the work she would do.
“I was originally only looking into the courses abroad,” Maddie said. “But I still needed to fulfill an internship requirement, so I asked Dr. Zerbe if it would be possible to do an internship over there as well. He’s acted as the middleman between me and the York College [& University Centre] administrators to see if that was possible, and they’ve graciously offered me this internship. I absolutely seized it the first second I could because that’s just a great opportunity.”
Maddie plans to participate in a month-long marketing internship, focusing on promoting York College & University Centre’s 200th anniversary through a variety of media, including journalism, articles, press releases, and other marketing initiatives. Many of her tasks will encompass what someone in a communications position often does, including archival work and major event planning.
As a result, Maddie will not only gain real-world experience but also deliverable international work she can reference when job searching, especially in the marketing industry.
“I think the idea that learning marketing with an international perspective will really be wonderful,” Dr. DelliCarpini said.
“It’s a lot of fun to be a part of an experience that people are so enthusiastic about and has so much promise,” said Dr. Zerbe.
Following her internship, Maddie will spend her 2026 Fall Semester taking marketing classes through York College & University Centre. While there, she aims to fulfill her minor requirements, improve her writing skills, and, hopefully, live on campus with other students.
“I’m very honored that [York College & University Centre is] having me, and I feel very privileged for the internship,” Maddie said. “I wouldn’t have been able to have been offered this without Dr. Zerbe and Dr. DelliCarpini’s help. I’m very grateful for that.”
“Mike [Zerbe] was nice enough, not only to work with Maddie on this through his work as a study abroad director, but also was able to work with her on getting her curriculum straight,” Dr. DelliCarpini said. “He’s actually giving her some extra work in the digital course she’s taking right now so that she can fulfill an editing requirement and work on editing. That's the special thing about YCP. Our faculty go out of the way for students.”
Transformation through Studying Abroad
Students have traveled abroad to Europe before, visiting destinations such as Milan, Austria, Croatia, and Costa Rica. York College-sponsored study abroad experiences tend to be more “short-term” to better fit student schedules, such as being offered for the duration of spring break, and they often link to certain classes and their requirements for completion.
“For the students who want to do something longer, like a traditional semester abroad, like Maddie’s doing, we have partnerships with some colleges and universities abroad,” Dr. Zerbe said. “We also have a lot of external study abroad programs.”
For many students, it’s their first time out of the country, bringing a lot of excitement and opportunity for learning, and the professors often share their own experiences to help. It’s learning that goes beyond the classroom and widens their view of the world, all while helping them gain skills they can take back into their education and future careers.
It truly is a chance to see the world and take part in a transformative experience.
“I’ve traveled with students quite a bit as well, and I think they’re never the same when they come back,” said Dr. DelliCarpini. “And I mean that in the most positive sense.”
“What’s really interesting is that there’s a lot of research that shows that it doesn’t matter how long that first trip is, whether it’s a week or whether it’s a semester; it has almost the same transformative value,” Dr. Zerbe said.
Looking Forward to Discovering New Opportunities
Maddie says she is most excited about immersing herself in English culture and living independently. To her, it will be a very empowering experience to take charge of the first half of her senior year in a new environment.
“I’m very excited to step into my own in a completely new place,” Maddie said.
After she returns to the United States in early January 2027, Maddie plans to finish her final semester at York College before graduating. She is open to another internship in the United States, possibly doing magazine work. She is also focused on getting into job hunting and exploring what positions she can pursue with everything she has learned.
“I’ll be looking forward to applying the skills that I developed over there and applying them to the job market when I return here,” Maddie said.
Maddie can’t wait to begin the next chapter of her college education, and thanks to the support of her professors and both York Colleges, she will be able to create meaningful connections and work that will prepare her for life beyond college. She encourages other students to go abroad if they can, as the experience can truly change a person’s life and perspective on the world.
“If [students] are able to, then they should absolutely do it,” Maddie said. “It opens so many new perspectives. It’s very enriching from what I have already experienced when I was around my family. But I’m very excited to become even more enriched in different cultures and things like that. I feel that’s very important as you continue to grow up and to surround yourself with different perspectives and cultures, and I think that is very significant.”
