TIGER TV ONLINE REPORTER
The Study Abroad Fair opened academic and personal opportunities up to students by providing information about countries, programs and advice about studying abroad.
The Fair is the biggest marketing event of the year for Academic Programs Abroad.
“It’s a way for students to ‘shop around’ for programs that could fit their academic and personal needs,” Liz Dunn, Academic Programs Abroad marketing coordinator said. “The fair is also important because it gives us necessary visibility to faculty and other departments across campus, because they are as vital to our success as the students.”
After faculty submitted their proposals for the 2010 summer programs, the number of programs has gone from 17 to 29. The goal for fair attendance was 1,000 students.
While benefits to studying abroad include personal development opportunities such as gaining independence, communication skills and resourcefulness, the experience also provides academic advantages including gaining different perspectives, learning a foreign language and networking.
“It’s a wonderful way to educate yourself with experience based learning,” Robin Roberts, English and women’s studies professor and co-director of LSU in London said. “It’s a life changing experience.
Studying abroad also appeals to employers.
“A student with international experience can work in a multi-cultural environment and deal with unfamiliar situations and as a result, has an advantage over peers with no international experience,” Dunn said.
Out of the 750 students who went abroad in 2009, 350 participated in summer programs, making it the most common way to study away from LSU.
All summer programs, the Admissions office and the office of Scholarships and Financial Aid were represented at the fair, as well as 20 non-LSU programs, study abroad coordinators and peer advisors.
Students recommend taking the opportunity to study abroad if possible.
“Go for it, you’ll always wonder how it would’ve been if you don’t,” Anna Mullin, a junior exchanging from Swansea University in London said. “It’s a great experience that teaches a different way of life.”
Students who haven’t gone yet want to experience something different.
“I want to be in a different culture and experience something else,” pre-business administration sophomore Stephanie Walter said. “It’s way better than a vacation because you can actually live in the city and be active in the culture.”
While financial concerns always affect whether students choose to go abroad, there was a 20 percent increase in international program applicants this August for spring 2010.
“Most of the students who apply to go abroad come to LSU knowing they want to go, which is why the Study Abroad Fair is so important–so we can let other students know about what’s out there,” Dunn said. “From what I have seen, lack of planning and assumed high costs are the two strongest objections for students who don’t apply to study abroad.”
Scholarships for studying abroad are offered every year through the office of Scholarships and Financial Aid.
Academic Programs Abroad will continue promoting studying abroad in the future with classroom presentations, recruiting new faculty and targeting certain majors for unique study opportunities.
