The biannual event is unmistakable. Booths line the walls with information and the entrance way screams culture. With plenty of information packets and study abroad advisers at the ready, the spring Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday in the Idaho Commons allowed interested students to learn about the opportunities that may await them.
The event hosted nine different programs with countless options for students wanting to study abroad.
“It’s a unique opportunity,” UI Study Abroad Adviser Colton Oliphant said. “It gives people an opportunity to talk to program providers and get the word out.”
Oliphant said the fair also gives students an opportunity to dispel myths concerning studying abroad.
“People think it’s too expensive, there’s not enough time to still graduate on time, that they have to have a foreign language proficiency and that it’s too overwhelming if they haven’t been abroad before,” Oliphant said.
Amanda Smith said she attended the fair because she had come before and never gone through with her plans due to cost. But she decided it would be worth it.
“I really want more culture in my life,” Smith said. “My No. 1 is Australia or London, but I’ll really go anywhere.”
Oliphant said there are plenty of reasons to study abroad.
“It depends on what is important to you,” Oliphant said. “If you are interested in a job, it will make your degree different than anyone else’s. You can expand your horizons, become a global citizen and it makes you change the way you look at your own country — for good or bad.”
Oliphant said this is the only time anyone can reasonably pick up and leave for a year, while having the government pay for it through financial aid.
Although the fair was Wednesday, Oliphant said the International Programs Office is offering information sessions five days a week, every week.
“There’s no way someone can’t come, especially because the times vary every day,” Oliphant said.
Information sessions allow students to ask questions about programs or address any concerns they might have before scheduling an advising appointment to begin the study abroad process.
Oliphant said now is the best time to come in because the advisers are already in advising mode, and this time of year is best for summer and fall session deadlines.
“That’s why we have the fair now,” Oliphant said. “It gets people thinking and those who are motivated come in (to IPO) right away.”