Monday, Feb 3, 2014
Learn more about earning credit overseas during the Feb. 6 Spring Study Abroad Fair
by Aimee LaBrie
England, Australia, Chile, Thailand, Japan, Russia, Turkey, Morocco, Italy—these are a few of the countries available for students to take their education beyond the United States border. And, on Thursday, February 6, students who are not sure about where they’d like to go can meet all of the study aboard providers and student ambassadors in one place—between 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. in the SRC atrium. At this time, they can pick up brochures and information from the vendors and chat one-on-one with students who spent a semester abroad to hear firsthand about their experiences.
The 2014 Spring Study Abroad Fair also includes a raffle and live music. Most importantly, though, it’s the one time this semester when you can get the inside scoop on studying aboard from those who have lived it. Students should look for the study aboard ambassadors who will be dressed in cranberry red T-shirts or follow the music as 107.7 The Bronc will be broadcasting live during the event.
Milvian Prieto, who studied in Barcelona last spring, describes her experience abroad, "Although my study abroad journey may be over, it's not something I left behind at the airport. The experiences and lessons I learned are things that will stay with me forever. It has shaped me into the person I am today, influenced my future and made more of any impact in my every day decisions than I ever imagined it could." Prieto will be at the fair to offer her insights both as a participant and as an intern for one of the providers, ISA (International Study Aboard).
“There’s really no better way to learn Italian than to be immersed in the country while taking classes,” says Kim Cameron, assistant director for Rider’s Center for International Education. “Depending on the program, you might also be living in a home stays, having home cooked paella for dinner. If you’re not doing a home stay, you’ll be living on campus with other students,
The advantages to studying abroad aren’t limited to earning credit while also absorbing another culture. “Students who study aboard tend to stand out on their resumes; they’ve show that they’re willing to take risks and that they’re interested in gaining a more global perspective,” Cameron says. “When they return, most of our students describe studying aboard as a positive and life-changing experience; something that’s opened their eyes to different cultures and ideas they might not otherwise have discovered.”
The summer deadline to study abroad is March 1 and the fall deadline is April 1. All students must apply online. To qualify, students must be enrolled full time and have at least a 2.5 GPA. Depending on when and where they travel, they can earn as many as 12 to 18 credits.