Studying Abroad can be an intimidating venture for students new to the process, but students interested in studying abroad will have the opportunity to learn more about the experience at the semi-annual study abroad fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 4 in the Idaho Commons plaza.
Holly LaHann, a study abroad advisor, said the purpose of the fair is to educate students and provide information about all of the study abroad opportunities available at the University of Idaho.LaHann said there are three types of programs students can do.
“Faculty led, third-party organizations and direct partnerships,” LaHann said. “Specific universities around the world that we’ve been working with for in some cases 20 or more years — in some cases those are exchanges so we get international students from those universities coming to UI.”
LaHann said representatives from all third-party programs and direct partnerships will be present at the fair, as well as the entire study abroad team from UI.
She said there are many things students should consider when pursuing a study abroad program including cost, courses available and where they would like to study.
“When students study abroad they can get classes that count toward their majors. A lot of students worry that study abroad is going to set them back but that’s actually not the case so we really try to work with students to find programs that aren’t going to set them behind,” LaHann said. “Some students go abroad to study a language, study a culture and that’s fine even if it doesn’t go with their major.”
LaHann said there are summer, semester and full-year programs available as well as a growing number of winter study abroad options.
“If students felt they couldn’t even do a summer abroad maybe they can fit something in between semesters instead,” LaHann said.
LaHann said there are also a growing number of faculty-led programs that typically take place during the summer and count for UI credit.
She said she encourages students to consider a study abroad because of the experience and skills students gain during their time abroad.
“It’s also the only time in your life you’ll ever get financial aid to study abroad because once you get out of college you’ll have to pay to go abroad typically,” LaHann said.
Beginning Sept. 5 will be first time information sessions for students interested in pursuing a study abroad program. The sessions happen every day for the rest of the semester, and LaHann said students can sign up for the sessions online at the study abroad website or at the study abroad fair.
“After that session is when we encourage them to set up a one on one meeting with one of our advisors,” LaHann said.
She said the fair occurs once at the beginning of each semester to get students acquainted with the requirements and idea of studying abroad.
It gives students a chance to meet all the representatives and meet everyone in the study abroad office and get all that information at one time,” LaHann said. “It’s just kind of a good start for the whole process.”
Kaitlyn Krasselt can be reached at [email protected]