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Students From Fairfield's Sacred Heart Network Before Trip To Luxembourg

FAIRFIELD, Conn. – A group of students from Sacred Heart University in Fairfield who will be studying abroad in Luxembourg City this summer had the opportunity to meet with top officials from that country in advance of their trip.  

Luxembourg General Counsel Jean-Claude Knebeler visits with study abroad students in the Martire Business & Communications Center at Sacred Heart University on April 23. SHU has a campus in Luxembourg and in Fairfield.

Luxembourg General Counsel Jean-Claude Knebeler visits with study abroad students in the Martire Business & Communications Center at Sacred Heart University on April 23. SHU has a campus in Luxembourg and in Fairfield.

Photo Credit: Mark F. Conrad

Mary Trefry, associate professor of management, introduced the students to Jean-Claude Knebeler, consul general of Luxembourg and executive director of the Luxembourg Trade & Investment Office in New York.

He was accompanied by colleagues Laurence Pierron, executive assistant to the consulate general of Luxembourg, and Brigitte Goergen, commercial attaché for the Luxembourg Trade and Investment Office.

SHU's study abroad program in Luxembourg runs every summer at the global campus in Luxembourg City. The courses are held in the Chamber of Commerce, with students having the option of taking one or two courses in either business or religion.

Knebeler discussed the atmosphere of the “intimate country,” which is best known today for finance. He also said students might experience a bit of culture shock as the city is made up of many different cultures, and various languages are spoken there.

Many of these undergraduates have never left the country and found the presentation helpful.

“He is very insightful and knowledgeable about the country, and I learned a lot of good information in a short period of time,” says Michelle Scatamacchia Class of 2017. “Especially for someone who has never traveled to another country, he made me feel more comfortable and excited about visiting such a historic place.”

Zachary Niles, Class of 2017, said he finds the process of planning for studying abroad to be “nerve-racking, especially for those who have never been to that part of Europe before.

"I found that by getting a chance to meet a native Luxembourger, I was able to take away a true feeling for what I may encounter during my study abroad experience,” he says.

After the discussion, Knebeler answered questions about everything from his favorite places to visit in the city to recommendations for art, culture and restaurants.

When asked whether he had any last-minute advice for the group he said, “You will be made to feel very welcome. It is a very safe city. You will see people from everywhere. Be open minded, make friends, talk to people, discover.”

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