Communitywide study abroad fair set for Jan. 30
Jan. 22, 2002
KALAMAZOO -- The winter Western Michigan University Study Abroad Fair will take place on campus from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Jan. 30, in the Bernhard Center's South Ballroom.
A free event sponsored by WMU's Office of Study Abroad, the fair encourages students to consider spending an academic term studying outside of the United States. It is designed for WMU students, faculty and staff as well as high school students, guidance counselors, parents and anyone else who is interested in learning more about study abroad.
The University puts on two fairs each year. About 600 people attended the fall event held this past September.
Those who attend the winter offering will be able to learn about the wide variety of study abroad programs available through WMU and hundreds of additional programs available through some 30 other universities and organizations that provide programs to students nationwide. They also will be able to browse 40 booths and displays and collect helpful information.
Representatives from WMU's faculty, study abroad office, financial aid and scholarships office, and Sindecuse Health Center will be on hand to share information and answer questions, along with representatives from the other participating universities and organizations.
"This is a chance for people to explore the opportunities they have to study, live and travel throughout the world," says Dr. Sabine C. Klahr, director of WMU's Office of Study Abroad.
"The educational, personal and pre-professional benefits students gain from studying abroad are essential to succeed in an increasingly interdependent world. As educators, we should stress the importance of students incorporating an international experience into their curriculum of study."
Students can benefit from the Study Abroad Fair regardless of their major, foreign language skills, and level of undergraduate or graduate education, Klahr says. Additionally, she notes that options exist to meet any financial budget and to allow participants to earn major/minor, general education or elective credits at WMU.
This year, 476 WMU students are studying abroad in more than 30 countries on six continents in fields as diverse as business, communication, engineering, literature and political science.
For more information about the fair or international learning opportunities, contact the Office of Study Abroad at (269) 387-5890, or <study-abroad@wmich.edu> or by visiting <www.wmich.edu/studyabroad> on the Web.
Media contact: Jeanne Baron, 269 387-8400, jeanne.baron@wmich.edu