‘ The Study Abroad Fair on Tuesday, Sept. 16 buzzed with excitement as the lower lobby of the Barone Campus Center transformed itself into an encyclopedia of information about different study abroad locations.
A student could study abroad in Prague and do his or her homework in an ex-patriot café instead of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library.
Or one could take an art history course in Florence and see Michelangelo’s statue The David in a textbook and then stroll down the street to the Accademia and actually see it in person.
Although’ Study Abroad may seem like a dream come true, it is often hard for students to decide which destination is best for them. With so many appealing options, choosing the right location can be difficult.
The Study Abroad Fair allowed students to roam the tables, browse program brochures, and talk with upperclassmen who recently returned from studying abroad as well as program representatives and the study abroad staff.’
‘The objective’ of’ the’ Study’ Abroad’ Fair’ is’ to’ provide’ information’ to students, especially’ freshmen’ and’ sophomores,’ about’ their’ options’ for international’ study,’ said Christine Bowers, assistant director of the study abroad office. ‘We want to help students choose destinations that will enhance their major, minor or the language they’ve studied and make them aware of the dozens of locations they can consider.’
At the fair, students can learn about the many different study abroad programs, including new destinations to Leeds, England;’ Shanghai, China;’ Strasbourg, France’ and Gaborone, Botswana.’
Melanie Rice, a freshman who attended the fair, was impressed by the diversity of choices.
‘There’s a lot more places than I thought! I didn’t even know we could go to Belgium or the Czech Republic. And it’s really comforting to hear the stories of students who have already studied abroad. It makes me want to study abroad even more,’ she said.
Students who volunteered at the fair shared stories and answered questions, conveying their enthusiasm for their host country.
The tables were decorated with their countries’ flags, pictures, souvenirs, and samples of food.
Popular questions included if the students’ credits would transfer, if they need to have language fluency, and what are the housing options.
Laura Zakreski, ’09, was a Study Abroad Fair volunteer who studied abroad in Grenada, Spain last spring. She stressed the importance of studying abroad, regardless of the destination chosen.
‘I feel’ that’ studying’ abroad’ is’ an’ essential’ part’ of’ the college experience. Not only was living in a foreign country fun and exciting, but it was also a great learning opportunity, and I am so fortunate to have been able to go,’ she said.
‘Even though I was supposed to be representing Spain and telling students to go there, I essentially told students to just go anywhere: Spain, England, Australia the Czech Republic; that it’s just necessary and wonderful and no matter where they go, they would have an amazing time,’ Zakreski said.
She added that not only does studying abroad enrich your classes and perspective on the world, it helps you learn more about who you are as an individual in the world.’
‘When else are you going’ to’ be’ able’ to’ have’ an’ opportunity’ like’ this?’ she asked.’JUST’ GO!’
Bowers added as a final thought, ‘We hope students will walk in with an open mind and walk away with an understanding of how a study abroad experience can be integrated into their overall Fairfield experience.’
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