Erinn Finley
Contributing Writer
efinley1@murraystate.edu
Associate Professor of public relations Marcie Hinton traveled to Iceland in June as part of an internship.
Hinton was offered the trip through the travel agency Total Travel Services. Hinton said this trip was used as a training experience for her plans to organize more education abroad courses and manage commercial tours in the future.
“I am also always on the prowl for good research topics,” Hinton said. “Public relations and tourism as well as travel writing are big areas of interest for me.”
When Hinton met with the Total Travel Services agents in March, the agents had just planned a trip to Iceland. Mary Lou Boals, owner and operator of the agency, offered to allow Hinton to shadow her on the trip.
“The Murray State Education Abroad Staff has been so flexible, so adaptable, so helpful with building programs, having to tear them down and then build them again, that I have been inspired by their leadership and abilities, so I thought I should step it up with this internship,” Hinton said.
The trip started June 1, which was the first day Iceland allowed tourists into the country.
Everyone who signed up for the trip had to be fully vaccinated. Iceland has a low infection rate, so it was important for travelers to be vaccinated in order to protect Iceland citizens. Hinton said Iceland is also one of the first countries to welcome American tourists again, so it seemed respectful to her to have the COVID-19 vaccine even without the airline’s rules.
Hinton said a tour operator in Iceland was essential in helping to plan the trip and navigate any issues caused by COVID-19. Once they arrived in Iceland, the tour operator provided a link in English for the travelers to register for a COVID-19 test. Once it was filled out, the travelers each received a barcode on their phones.
Upon arrival at the airport they showed the barcode to the workers, who then printed it off and placed it on a vial. The travelers took these vials to a tent in a parking lot with at least ten stations where a volunteer swabbed each traveler’s mouth and nose.
The group of travelers had to wear masks until they reached their hotel room where they quarantined until they received a negative test result.
Hinton said it took approximately four to five hours before she got a text informing her she tested negative.
The day before their plane left Iceland, they repeated the process. Hinton said the Iceland airport employees were efficient and nice. The process took less than 30 minutes each time.
“I think it helped that we were some of the very first tourists in Iceland in more than a year,” Hinton said.
Hinton said she loves to take students on study abroad trips. Over the past year, Hinton has planned to go abroad multiple times, but COVID-19 altered her plans.
Hinton planned to take 16 students to France for a food and travel writing class during the summer of 2020. Because of COVID-19, she ended up teaching the class online and not traveling to France. This particular class was postponed until summer 2023.
Hinton also planned to teach a class in London during the 2020-21 winter term. This class was postponed to spring break and then later canceled.
Studying abroad is often considered important to help round out a student’s education. Hinton said a global education does not only teach about a subject, but it also teaches you about yourself.
“Students who study abroad develop a whole different idea of themselves, of home, of others,” Hinton said.
Studying abroad provides a new perspective with regard to diversity and relationship building. Hinton said these traits are important as a public relations specialist.
“Mutually beneficial relationships means you need to have experience with people, social awareness, respect and empathy, which is why study abroad is crucial to a well-rounded education in any major,” Hinton said. “Especially in public relations, in my opinion, or in any profession or education experience where you concern yourself with an audience or public.”
Hinton said the only thing she regrets about her college years is not studying abroad and she’s heard the same from others as well. She said college is the only opportunity to travel with friends; gain an in-depth, life-changing experience; earn a college credit and gain a boost to your resume. Hinton said the Murray State Education Abroad Office is diligent in making every dollar count, while being respectful to the socio-economic situations of students. This includes scholarships for students who wish to study abroad.
There are a number of scholarships available to students who wish to study abroad. Some have specifications a student must meet while others only require an application. Even if a student does not qualify for any of Murray State’s scholarships, they can still apply for education abroad scholarships. The application process and requirements for study abroad scholarships are completely different from the general university scholarship process.
Federal financial aid and some grants students already receive during the regular semester can be applied to study abroad trips.
Hinton said she thinks it is exciting for professors to watch their students build confidence and learn so much outside of the classroom. She said you can see the changes in the students when they return to campus. Professors can see students build confidence through trying new foods, speaking to professionals in their area of study and navigating new situations.
“It is truly an education of the whole person, which I think many college professors enjoy experiencing and influencing,” Hinton said.
Below is an excerpt from Hinton’s daily blog posts, which can be found on postcardsfromthebrink.com.
“June 1: We followed the horizon to Iceland—or so it seemed! We were tethered to a thin peach-colored line like a kite over Canada to Greenland. Oh Greenland! Such a fascinating and daunting landscape. Sunlight danced along snow-capped crags, which gave way to an icy ocean. How will Iceland ever be the promised 50 degrees! But it was. It was pleasant waiting in line for our covid test and then again stepping off our bus and traipsing through the city to our hotel where we must quarantine until our negative test comes back. No view from our tiny room. We ate yogurt and napped (the big no-no, but we figured we were old enough to warrant the nap and a decent bedtime). Still waiting for the text from the Iceland government, so we can get out and walk the old city!”
The Study Abroad Fair will be on Sept. 13 to 17 and in-person on Sept. 16. The first Education Abroad Scholarship Workshops will be on Sept. 1 and 2 from 4-4:30 p.m. For more information, visit the Education Abroad page on Murray State’s website, murraystate.edu/educationabroad.