Studying abroad made easier: Passport services now offered by UCIE

  Students, faculty, staff and community members can now apply for a passport through the University Center for International Education (UCIE) at Wright State. The process for applying is no different than normal, as the cost and procedures are identical to getting a passport from anywhere else. Students travelling abroad that want to apply for a passport are able to go during walk-in hours, which are 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., and all others are required to make an appointment. The UCIE hopes to provide photo-taking services for passports in the future, but for now students would have to find a local facility that provides those services, such as Meijer or Walgreens. Making it easier for students to travel abroad was the main goal for obtaining this service, which took the university about a year to do. “The idea was to make it more convenient for our students studying abroad. It was about increasing the number of students who participate in the programs,” said Joy Wanderi, director of education abroad and exchange programs. The bigger picture of providing passport services encompasses catering to the growth of participation in international programs and attracting more people to campus, according to Michelle Streeter-Ferrari, director of the UCIE. “There’s been an ongoing vision for the university to increase the international programs and increasing participation for students to travel abroad. In general, our international student population has been growing and we have more and more international programs and services that we’re offering,” Streeter-Ferrari said. “We also love the idea of having community people come to campus who normally wouldn’t because we offer this convenient service.” To futher promote international programs at the university, a scholarship is offered to students who apply and get accepted to a travel abroad program. The UCIE partnered with six other units on campus, including the College of Business, College of Liberal Arts, College of Science and Math, College of Nursing, College of Engineering and the Provost’s office to increase the scholarship from last year’s $500 opportunity to $800 this school year. Other efforts made by the UCIE to increase student travel opportunities include more open advising hours, help with applying for scholarships and providing travel assistance to students while they are abroad. “Travel assistance is an additional service that Wright State pays into to protect students when they are abroad. Assistance includes things such as questions about immunizations, if a student loses their passport while abroad or just regular questions about how to travel abroad,” said Wanderi. In addition, financial aid applies to study abroad, and students can travel as early as their freshman year. Programs are offered that last from three weeks up to a full year. “It’s not as complicated [to study abroad] as students think. There’s something for everyone and there are lots of opportunities,” said Streeter-Ferrari. The next UCIE event is Wednesday, Feb. 11 at 4:30 p.m., where students can learn more about studying abroad, enter to win an $800 scholarship and learn more information about applying for a passport.    

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