UCIE hosts annual Study Abroad Fair

The University Center for International Education hosted a Study Abroad Fair in the Millett Atrium Jan. 28 from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m., in which students had the opportunity to participate in a raffle and get information from advisors about the different programs offered by the UCIE.

The study abroad fairs that occur annually in the fall and the spring are designed to provide students an opportunity to learn while in a welcoming atmosphere.

“It’s to make students feel welcome with an open and fun event where it isn’t so intimidating in an office setting,” said Monica Ratliff, Education Abroad Advisor. “They have the ability to walk around with a lot of freedom and they can participate in fun activities, but at the same time learn a lot. They get to meet with advisors face to face while enjoying popcorn or winning a raffle."

According to Ratliff, students can apply for programs to over 60 countries at anytime during their enrollment at WSU, whether freshman or graduate student, that can last a semester, a summer or an entire year. There are also Ambassador programs, which Ratliff described as “an international field trip where WSU professors lead students over the summer for a 3 credit hour course that lasts about two to three weeks.”

In addition to providing a welcoming atmosphere to learn, Joy Wanderi, Director of Education Abroad and Exchange Programs, said that they also make the fair a place where students can get everything accomplished at once.

“You can also apply for your passport here, you can apply for the program, you can apply for the scholarship,” Wanderi said, “so it’s like we took our office outside and made it accessible for students to do everything in one spot.”

Junior Psychology major, Natalie Hergenrather, found the Study Abroad Fair to be helpful in making her decision to study abroad.

"It was very helpful," said Hergenrather. "There are people that have gone on the trips that can talk about it with you, there are financial aid advisors that can talk with you about getting the funding to go. It definitely swayed my opinion a little more into going."

Students that are interested in studying abroad can learn more by stopping by the UCIE office next to the campus bookstore in the Student Union during open advising hours, making an appointment or grabbing the booklets in the office. Also, students can attend the other events hosted by the UCIE throughout the year.