KCC Students Bring Scandinavian Lessons Back to Battle Creek

Nearly three dozen Kellogg Community College students, employees and community members traveled through Scandinavia in May 2026 for an interdisciplinary study-abroad experience focused on hospitality, photography and mental health.

The group included 23 students, six faculty members, five community participants and one administrator, with travelers selecting one of three academic areas to guide their work.

Students visited Denmark, Norway and Sweden and examined how local culture, public spaces and community practices shape tourism, well-being and visual storytelling.

History Professor Michelle Wright, who coordinates international travel opportunities at KCC, said the region offered students a chance to study different approaches to mental health.

One memorable stop was a forest kindergarten, where children spend much of their day outdoors learning to solve practical problems together.

Hospitality students considered how Scandinavian destinations serve different travelers through history, culture, cities, outdoor activities and scenery.

Photography students explored urban landscapes and were challenged to represent Scandinavian culture through architecture, geometry and artificial light rather than relying only on familiar scenic images.

The photography work continued after the travelers returned to Battle Creek through a summer exhibit featuring more than three dozen images produced during the trip.

Faculty members said international travel can build confidence, broaden perspective and help students understand how industries and communities operate beyond their familiar surroundings.

KCC’s Global and International Studies program connects international learning with academic pathways, and the college’s Scandinavia feature describes how the trip shaped participants.

KCC regularly offers international travel opportunities for students and community members, and the college lists a Thailand course trip for January 2027 as its next scheduled program.

The feature first appeared in the September 2026 edition of BruIN magazine and was published by KCC Daily on November 2nd, 2026.

Who joined KCC’s Scandinavia study-abroad trip?

The group included 23 students, six faculty members, five community members and one administrator.

What did KCC students study in Scandinavia?

Students focused on hospitality, landscape photography or mental health while visiting Denmark, Norway and Sweden.

Where can people learn about future KCC international travel?

KCC maintains an international travel page with upcoming opportunities and contact information for its Integrative Learning Department.