Meet Anthony D.

Study Abroad Student

When Anthony enrolled at Hudson Valley Community College, he didn’t imagine that his studies and a longtime passion for Brazilian Jiu Jitsu would ever take him across the world. Now, after spending a semester in Prague, Czech Republic, he returns to the U.S. with an unforgettable experience and a direction for life.

Anthony fell in love with Brazilian Jiu Jitsu at nine years old after being introduced to the martial art by his father. As he continued to practice and compete over the years, he began to dream of one day opening his own gym. That dream led him to pursue a degree in Entrepreneurship at Hudson Valley Community College. It was there, with the help of his advisors in the Business and Criminal Justice Department, that he discovered a study abroad program through the College Consortium for International Studies (CCIS).

“At first, I was dead set on either Ireland or Australia, but I mistakenly clicked on the Czech Republic, which I guess is fate,” said Anthony. “I began to learn more about the country and do some research, and I just fell in love with Prague.”

Studying at the University of New York, Prague (UNYP), Anthony realized he would be a 20-minute drive away from one of the best Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gyms in the country. For him, this made the big decision a “no brainer.” Plus, through his coursework and exposure to what he describes as an “innovative business landscape,” he felt that he would be well prepared to tackle his goal of one day opening his own Brazilian Jiu Jitsu gym.

“UNYP’s Study Abroad program seamlessly complimented my entrepreneurship studies at HVCC,” said Anthony. “My foundation in business, cultivated at HVCC, aligned with UNYP’s Business Administration program which focused on entrepreneurship. The program’s emphasis on learning from entrepreneurs’ successes and failures, adapting to change and seizing opportunities is vital for my future venture.”

Anthony also found himself making friends with other students from an array of countries including, Canada, Argentina, Kazakhstan, Italy and South Korea giving him a glimpse of cultures around the world. This experience was one of his favorite takeaways from the semester abroad.

Department Chair of Business and Criminal Justice at HVCC Ricky Thibodeau, thinks that experiences like Anthony’s are extremely beneficial for students wanting to pursue careers in business.

“The value of a program like the one that Anthony pursued with UNYP provides a deep understanding of different cultures, different ways to do business and learning from others, all of which prepares students for today's global environment,” said Thibodeau. “Companies today look for students who have a strong cultural diversity and solid understanding of how to conduct business globally.”

When he wasn’t in class or at Jiu Jitsu, Anthony took time to take in Prague and the Czech Republic and visited neighboring countries with the friends he made, many from other colleges and universities in the United States that were in the CCIS program as well.

“I have a couple friends from Texas Tech, a couple from UMass Amherst, Virginia Tech, Appalachian State so it’s a good mix,” said Anthony. “We’re all really close and went on a few trips like Poland and Austria.”

For HVCC students interested in pursuing an opportunity like Anthony’s, he and Thibodeau encourage students to talk to their advisors, do the research and explore all the options to find the best fit for an added and unforgettable experience.

“If somebody's interested in it, I say, absolutely go for it,” said Anthony. “I made some lifelong friends while getting a good education.”

“Be proactive in learning more about the opportunities offered by HVCC and know what you want to pursue in regards to the different academic programs that are available,” said Thibodeau. “Usually, you will need to find a program to partner with such as Anthony did with UNYP who work very closely with SUNY schools. Decide what you want to study, where you want to study, and find the program that fits your needs. You also will need to work with your advisor and department chair to make sure the courses you take overseas will transfer back to your program at HVCC.”