The SRU International Services Office held a fair for students interested in learning more about the study abroad program in the Smith Student Center Ballroom on Wednesday. Students were able to walk from table to table to find out all there is to know about studying abroad.
Studying abroad is an overseas program that offers students a different approach to education through benefits that include increased self-confidence, appreciation for cultural and personal differences, improved communication skills, and many more. Katelyn Zavora, a parks and recreational tourism and information systems double major, personally experienced all of the advantages the study abroad program offers in Ireland and has hopes of studying abroad again.
“I went to the University of Limerick. I really enjoyed it and it changed me as a person” Zavora said.
Theresa Crispin is the adviser for International and Study Abroad Students. She was at the fair answering any questions that students had. She had study abroad application forms, transient forms, and FAQs to make the process easier for students.
“I was an education major in undergrad and studied abroad in Ireland for a semester, which made me decide that I wanted to be the one advising study abroad students and also the international students coming into the U.S. schools!” Crispin said.
All students are welcome to study abroad. There are many different programs offered to meet the needs of every student, such as University Based Study, Language Institute Programs, Summer Programs, Spring Break Seminars, Student Teaching, Internships, and Practicum and Service Learning Programs. There is not a language or class standing requirement to study abroad, so students can get involved with the program any time.
Honors program student Alex Bolling is a Parks and Recreational Tourism major and a double minor in French and Business Administration. “I just got back from France in August and in the winter. I hope to go to Nicaragua. You just get a feeling of wonder lust being in another country” Bolling said. Through the Languages Institute Program, she was able to expand herself as a French student, while enjoying the country.
SRU partners with universities in Australia, China, England, France, Germany, Hungary, India, Ireland, Poland, Scotland, Slovakia, South Korea, Spain, Sweden and Wales. Partnerships with these universities have been carefully selected due to financial aid.
If a student has hopes to become a foreign exchange student, the financial aid the student receives at SRU may go towards tuition over seas and may sometimes be increased for study abroad. Students will only have to pay for their housing.
Foreign exchange students from different countries were also at the fair sharing their experiences with interested students. Damien McCormack, a Physical Education major with a minor in Geography, is a foreign exchange student from the University of Limerick in Ireland.
“[SRU is] very different. The weather is very cold, but I like the way the dorms are different. It is easier to make friends” McCormack said. He chose to attend SRU this semester because of the partnership that is offered between universities.
The International Services Office is located in 114 Carruth-Rizza Hall, but students with more questions can attend open information sessions on Thursdays at common hour in room 323 of the Smith Student Center.
