The University of Idaho opened its doors to the world Wednesday for the spring Study Abroad Fair. The event packed the Clearwater and Whitewater rooms in the Idaho Commons with UI staff and faculty, along with representatives of several overseas study organizations. All offered opportunities and answer questions from students interested in learning in places as diverse as Finland and India.
The intent of the fair, UI Study Abroad adviser Mary Ellen Brewick said, was to give students a window into the wide variety of options and potential advantages of spending a summer or a semester studying in a foreign country.
“We see this event as a chance for us to inspire people,” Brewick said. “Students who participate in study abroad programs can see a different culture from the inside, experience total immersion in a foreign language or learn to view the world from another perspective.”
John Langdon, a digital art/design major, spoke to several representatives about possible study destinations in Europe. He said the fair provided him with a one-stop shop in his quest for an overseas experience.
“My mother had a wonderful time studying for a semester in France when she was in college,” Langdon said. “In talking to her, I knew that I’d want to have that same kind of adventure. Right now, I’m thinking about going to Italy, but I just found out about a design school in Rome that may be an option too.”
Music major Brendan Johnson stopped in to find out about opportunities in his field. He heard from music history assistant professor Barry Bilderback, who will lead a three-week study abroad trip to Ghana in early May, focusing on the country’s traditional music. Johnson, who is studying classical and jazz guitar, said the trip has piqued his interest.
“The Ghana thing really sounds cool,” Johnson said. “The roots of jazz are in African music, and I think knowing more about those traditions would deepen my musical knowledge and experience.”
Around 250 students take part in UI-sponsored study abroad programs each year, said Jill Kellogg-Serna, study abroad coordinator. Universities and colleges from virtually every corner of the globe participate, and thanks in part to this diversity, a location can be found to fit most budgets.
Students register as UI students, and thus remain eligible for all university scholarships and federal student aid.
“If you’re flexible about where you want to go, studying abroad won’t cost much more and could even be less than it costs to live and study on campus,” Kellogg-Serna said.
Some of the most popular destinations are Spanish-speaking countries, as Spanish language students seek a cultural and linguistic immersion in their field. Spanish major Naomi McClaine, who is headed to Ecuador in the fall, said she thinks the experience is vital to her studies.
“I really like exploring other cultures and having to use the language all the time really forces you to become fluent in its use,” she said.
Soruce: http://www.uiargonaut.com/content/view/7262/48:testset/
The intent of the fair, UI Study Abroad adviser Mary Ellen Brewick said, was to give students a window into the wide variety of options and potential advantages of spending a summer or a semester studying in a foreign country.
“We see this event as a chance for us to inspire people,” Brewick said. “Students who participate in study abroad programs can see a different culture from the inside, experience total immersion in a foreign language or learn to view the world from another perspective.”
John Langdon, a digital art/design major, spoke to several representatives about possible study destinations in Europe. He said the fair provided him with a one-stop shop in his quest for an overseas experience.
“My mother had a wonderful time studying for a semester in France when she was in college,” Langdon said. “In talking to her, I knew that I’d want to have that same kind of adventure. Right now, I’m thinking about going to Italy, but I just found out about a design school in Rome that may be an option too.”
Music major Brendan Johnson stopped in to find out about opportunities in his field. He heard from music history assistant professor Barry Bilderback, who will lead a three-week study abroad trip to Ghana in early May, focusing on the country’s traditional music. Johnson, who is studying classical and jazz guitar, said the trip has piqued his interest.
“The Ghana thing really sounds cool,” Johnson said. “The roots of jazz are in African music, and I think knowing more about those traditions would deepen my musical knowledge and experience.”
Around 250 students take part in UI-sponsored study abroad programs each year, said Jill Kellogg-Serna, study abroad coordinator. Universities and colleges from virtually every corner of the globe participate, and thanks in part to this diversity, a location can be found to fit most budgets.
Students register as UI students, and thus remain eligible for all university scholarships and federal student aid.
“If you’re flexible about where you want to go, studying abroad won’t cost much more and could even be less than it costs to live and study on campus,” Kellogg-Serna said.
Some of the most popular destinations are Spanish-speaking countries, as Spanish language students seek a cultural and linguistic immersion in their field. Spanish major Naomi McClaine, who is headed to Ecuador in the fall, said she thinks the experience is vital to her studies.
“I really like exploring other cultures and having to use the language all the time really forces you to become fluent in its use,” she said.
Soruce: http://www.uiargonaut.com/content/view/7262/48:testset/
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