2008 Woodie Awards
Fair offers travel opportunities
Raisa Camargo
Issue date: 11/21/07 Section: News
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The Study Abroad Fair held Nov. 14 allowed volunteers and faculty the opportunity to share their personal experiences and expertise with students regarding tuition, diversity of programs, housing and cultural differences.
"Students say it's the most life- changing experience they've had," said Maria Spina, program director for the Paris study abroad program.
Most program directors, including Spina, encourage students to study abroad because the experience opens horizons. Spina said study abroad students are able to see life from a different perspective. Volunteers also said the fair offered a chance to tell stories and address concerns, such as costs and program requirements.
At 10 a.m., the volunteers assembled their stations in the Pegasus Ballroom and prepared to welcome their guests with cultural music and candy.
Throughout the day, students eagerly wandered from one country to another. Several tables displayed posters and pictures from countries such as Germany, Costa Rica, Ireland, France and Italy. Often, the most populated tables were Spain and Asia, where volunteers frequently had to talk to groups.
Students wondering about studying abroad usually were concerned with housing and costs. Some language programs only covered housing and tuition, not airfare.
To ease students' fears about housing, some tables had laptops with pictures displaying living arrangements, which ranged from living in cities and towns with home-stay families or in school dorms.
In addition to the various language programs, other tables were set up for financial assistance and passport information. Several countries also had a range of programs that included spring break and summer terms, internships and international exchange programs.
A common concern for students was program requirements. For most language programs, previous experience with the language is required, such as an introductory course. The fair had other program destinations centered on specific majors such as art history in Italy and history in Ireland.
"Students say it's the most life- changing experience they've had," said Maria Spina, program director for the Paris study abroad program.
Most program directors, including Spina, encourage students to study abroad because the experience opens horizons. Spina said study abroad students are able to see life from a different perspective. Volunteers also said the fair offered a chance to tell stories and address concerns, such as costs and program requirements.
At 10 a.m., the volunteers assembled their stations in the Pegasus Ballroom and prepared to welcome their guests with cultural music and candy.
Throughout the day, students eagerly wandered from one country to another. Several tables displayed posters and pictures from countries such as Germany, Costa Rica, Ireland, France and Italy. Often, the most populated tables were Spain and Asia, where volunteers frequently had to talk to groups.
Students wondering about studying abroad usually were concerned with housing and costs. Some language programs only covered housing and tuition, not airfare.
To ease students' fears about housing, some tables had laptops with pictures displaying living arrangements, which ranged from living in cities and towns with home-stay families or in school dorms.
In addition to the various language programs, other tables were set up for financial assistance and passport information. Several countries also had a range of programs that included spring break and summer terms, internships and international exchange programs.
A common concern for students was program requirements. For most language programs, previous experience with the language is required, such as an introductory course. The fair had other program destinations centered on specific majors such as art history in Italy and history in Ireland.