Greenfield Community College is making it possible for two of its students to experience the opportunity of a lifetime, studying in Quito, Ecuador and living with families there this summer.

Vanessa Brewster, 23, of Greenfield and Ruth Gemperlein, 44, of Greenfield are recipients of this year's GCC International Travel scholarships.

"Oh my God, GCC rules! I love GCC," Brewster gushed. "I think it's totally amazing that they offer this scholarship."

Both women received $1,900 from GCC, which will cover their school, lodging and travel costs. They will study at the Enforex Spanish Language Schools in Quito. Enforex is the largest organization in Spain and Latin America specialized in teaching Spanish as a foreign language and has 24 Spanish language schools throughout the Spanish-speaking world.

Gemperlein is a surgical technician at Franklin Medical Center and is planning to apply to the University of Massachusetts at Amherst to get a Bachelor's of Science and Nursing. She said she went to GCC to learn Spanish to help her take better care of patients and make them feel comfortable. She wants to study in South America to learn more about the language and culture.

"I think it's incredible that they offer this scholarship, especially for a small community college," she said. "I feel very privileged to have received the award."

Brewster is a second-year fine arts students who hopes to eventually transfer to a fashion design school. She said she is in love with learning languages and wants to perfect her Spanish before moving on to French. She hopes the language skills she is developing at GCC, and will improve on this summer, will help her in her career.

She is also interested in learning about the food, plants and horticulture of Ecuador. Brewster studied herbal medicine and nutrition for two years before studying art and still has an interest in those fields.

Both women say they are a bit nervous about traveling to a new country, but are confident at the same time, thanks to all the planning help they have received from GCC. They both lauded the Spanish department and the rest of GCC's academics.

"I've had a really good experience with their language program. The Spanish teachers here are topnotch," Gemperlein said. "It's been a joy learning Spanish there."

Brewster is leaving June 3 and plans to stay six weeks — four at the school and two with family she has in the country. Gemperlein is leaving July 7 and will return July 28.

Brewster and Gemperlein will both give presentations on their trip this fall. For more information about the travel program, please contact Kit Carpenter of the International Studies Committee at 775-1226.