Motlow State Community College students Sarah Campbell and Lucas Patterson are about to fulfill one of their dreams.
Campbell, a sophomore student, has always wanted to be able to visit Europe, especially Italy. Thanks to the Tennessee Consortium for International Studies, she will be leaving May 11 to study for three weeks in Italy. Many students are drawn to study and travel in Europe because of its cultural and historical ties to the states.
Campbell is a graduate of F.C. Boyd Christian High School, and was recently informed of her upcoming opportunity.
“I am beyond excited about the trip,” said Campbell. “I am looking forward to the sights, and especially to trying the different foods.” While there she will earn three credit hours in the field of criminology. She is planning to attend Tennessee Technological University in the fall pursuing a degree in psychology, with focus on marriage and family counseling.
 “We are there to learn, not just have fun,” said Campbell. “I don’t speak any Italian, and that is a concern for me, but I guess I will learn enough to get by.”
The group will visit Siena, Rome, Florence and Levanot, visiting village markets, museums, art galleries, historical churches, and the famous Coliseum and Sistine Chapel in Rome. Many more activities are planned for the group, with return to the United States on June 1.
The student is very appreciative of the help obtained from Motlow teacher Jean Williams, and to her grandparents Gail and Tony Campbell.
“Mrs. Williams has helped me so much getting all the forms together to be submitted to the Tennessee Consortium, and my grandparents are helping me fulfill my financial requirements, in addition to the scholarship I received. Without them, this dream would not be possible.”
Campbell is the 19-year-old daughter of Rebecca and Anthony Campbell.
Motlow freshman Lucas Patterson is equally excited about his upcoming trip. He is participating in the great European capitals program, where he will visit Paris, France; Berlin, Germany; and Amsterdam, Netherlands.
He also will be traveling with a group of students and chaperones, with visits planned at each city. They are scheduled to tour the Eiffel Tower in Paris, museums, Versailles and cruise the Seine. 
In Berlin they will tour the German Gundestag, Museuminsel, tour a BMW motorcycle plant and visit a concentration camp. Amsterdan’s stop includes a walking tour of the flower market, a tour of Rotterdam, Anne Frank’s house, and a canal tour.
“This is a good opportunity to see the world,” said Patterson. “And to realize there are more places than McMinnville to visit. I know it will be a good learning experience.”
Patterson will be leaving on July 12 and returning on Aug. 2.
He is a graduate of Warren County High School, is currently enrolled in general studies at Motlow. He hopes to attend Tennessee Tech to major in either agri-tourism or nursery landscape.  His parents are Jan and Buddy Patterson.