By Jake Mulick Correspondent
In the past, students at the College have had the opportunity to study anywhere from London to Morocco. Those who have yet to travel overseas and are interested in doing so attended the Study Abroad Fair in the Social Sciences Atrium on Wednesday, Feb. 3, from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
In attendance were representatives from the College’s Center for Global Engagement as well as delegates from Academic Program’s International, the Council of International Education Exchange, International Studies Abroad, Foundation for International Education (FIE) London and Edge Hill University in England.
According to Global Academic Outreach Coordinator Jennifer Margherito, the Center for Global Engagement hosts two study abroad fairs per year, with one each semester.
“These fairs are a great opportunity for all students, (from) freshmen who are thinking about studying abroad during their time at (the College), to those students who are currently in the midst of the study abroad process, to engage with the (Center for Global Engagement) office,” Margherito said. “This face-to-face interaction certainly beats out sending emails or searching online for more information about the study abroad options available to students (at the College).”
According to the Center for Global Engagement’s website, 25 to 30 percent of students in each graduating class of the College study abroad at least once as an undergraduate.
“Studying abroad was easily one of the best experiences I’ve had at (the College). In just one month, I was able to travel to London, Switzerland, Italy, Scotland and France, all while taking an English class. We were reading Frankenstein and Ann Boleyn and I was able to experience these stories hands-on while traveling around Europe,” junior English major Sam DiGrande said.
The study abroad programs help to broaden the horizons of many of the students here at the College, Margherito said.
“There are few instances in life that offer you the opportunity to live abroad for four to five months,” Margherito said. “Why not seize that opportunity, earn credits toward your degree and spend time traveling to new places, meeting interesting people and learning a whole lot about yourself along the way?”
As a student who has participated in one of the College’s programs, DiGrande urges others to go on a similar journey of their own.
“I strongly recommend everyone to look into studying abroad. There’s sure to be something for everyone,” DiGrande said.
According to its website, the Center for Global Engagement holds weekly meetings every Wednesday at 2 p.m. in room 105 of the Social Sciences Building for students to find out more about the study abroad process and programs.
