A group of 12 Wayne State students from the Warrior Vision and Impact Program (VIP) will travel to two Canadian cities during spring break to study transportation, diversity and the value of cultural institutions.

The students will make the trip to Toronto and Montreal from March 7 to March 14 as part of the Passport Program, an initiative created by the Office of International Programs (OIP) in 2019 to provide travel experience for students who otherwise might not be able to afford to study abroad.

“This trip is important to me because we’ve all heard that college is about finding yourself and trying new things and, as I’ve approached my second year at this university, I’ve realized that I haven't explored myself much,” said Warrior VIP student Alyssa Conway, a pre-radiologic health major in her second year at Wayne State. “I want to build my character more by doing things I’ve never done before, like leave the country and study at another university. If Warrior VIP has taught me anything, it’s to follow the vision I have set for my future.”

The trip — part of a series of programs created by Associate Vice President for Educational Outreach and International Programs Ahmad Ezzeddine, who oversees the OIP — marks the second visit by VIP students to Canada. Last year, the program sponsored a trip to Toronto by about 20 students from Warrior VIP and the Network and RISE learning communities.

“These programs allow students of color who may not be in a position to travel to get experience studying abroad,” explained Kenya Swanson, coordinator of Warrior VIP. “The Division of Student Success sponsors the students, along with OIP, to keep the cost low. We want to make sure they have a special experience without having to worry about how to pay for it.”

This year, students will spend five days in Toronto and three in Montreal before returning to Detroit.