For the first time, students have a second opportunity during the academic year to learn about the University’s study abroad programs through the spring study abroad fair. Academic Programs Abroad office held its first spring study abroad fair on Tuesday in addition to the study abroad fair that occurred this past fall. The fall study abroad fair takes place several months before the application deadlines for the summer and spring programs. Michael Pointer, coordinator of Academic Programs Abroad, said the spring study abroad fair may serve as a reinforcement of these deadlines. Pointer said another reason Academic Programs Abroad chose to hold a spring study abroad fair is to increase awareness about the program, especially for transfer students and freshmen who enter the University during the spring semester. Stephanie Powell, biochemistry sophomore, said she was unable to attend the study abroad fair in the fall and was happy she had a second chance to receive information about the various programs.
Another component of the spring study abroad fair was the photo exhibition. “The photo exhibition is a way for students who have been abroad to continue to hang on to that experience,” Pointer said. Pointer said the photo exhibition is usually held during International Education Week. Academic Programs Abroad decided to host it in conjunction with the spring study abroad fair this year. Pointer said the photos were taken by students who have recently studied abroad. Each student was allowed to submit one entry, and there were 14 photos featured in the exhibition. Some of the photos were taken in locations such as Spain, Italy and China. Pointer said the photos were judged by representatives from the College of Art and Design. They were also judged separately by students who attended the spring study abroad fair. “It’s a way for us to maintain our relationship with those who come back, a way for them to also market study abroad because they’re marketing their experiences through their photos and a way for them to show to the world the meaningful experience they’ve just come back from,” Pointer said. Pointer said students often do not realize the many options available through study abroad, including studying in the United States. The spring study abroad fair is a good way for them to become aware of the various programs. “There are actually more options than I thought there would be,” Powell said. Jonathan Sorrel, biological sciences junior, said he is considering studying abroad this summer. He said he enjoyed the fair and thought it was informative. “I thought it was really good,” Sorrel said. “There were professors that went on the programs so they pretty much knew everything about it. So it wasn’t just looking at a pamphlet.” Sorrel said he was also impressed with the professional appearance of the fair as well as the amount of knowledgeable representatives from the study abroad programs.