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10th Annual Study Abroad Fair | Welcome Back Party | How to Find Money to Study Abroad Workshop

10th Annual Study Abroad Fair

The Office of Study Abroad hosted its 10th Annual Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday September 1, 2010 in the University Union Plaza.

Representatives from six study abroad affiliate programs were there to talk to students about the opportunities they have to offer. Faculty leaders of group study abroad programs were on hand to promote their programs, along with numerous returned study abroad students. 

WIU offices represented this year included Career Services, Financial Aid, the Centennial Honors College, the Scholarship Office and the College of Business and Technology. Prospective study abroad participants had the opportunity to speak with multiple representatives and gain more knowledge about study abroad. This year’s attendance was up considerably from last year’s, and the staff of the Office of Study Abroad have been busy since the Fair meeting with interested students.

Welcome Back Party

On September 8, 2010, the Office of Study Abroad hosted a Welcome Back Party for students returning home from their study abroad programs. 

There were 12 students in attendance who studied abroad either in the spring of 2010 or summer 2010. The students were able to connect with other returned students and share their experiences. Leonie Meijer, Academic Adviser for Study Abroad and Exchange Programs and adviser of Western Ambassadors for Study Abroad (WASA), an organization for returned and prospective study abroad students, spoke about the importance joining WASA. WASA strives to bring more awareness about study abroad to this campus; its members volunteer for many events and raise money for study abroad scholarships. In addition to WASA, many returned study abroad students are eligible to join Phi Beta Delta International Honor Society, which is dedicated to excellence in international education.  

How to Find Money to Study Abroad Workshop

The How to Find Money to Study Abroad Workshop was held Thursday, September 9, 2010 in the University Union Capitol Room. 

The three key speakers were Emily Gorlewski of the Office of Study Abroad, Mary Lawson of the Office of Financial Aid and Terri Hare of the Scholarship Office.

This workshop introduced prospective study abroad participants to budgets, program costs and the real cost of studying abroad. Students discovered that study abroad does not have to cost much more than staying on campus, and that there are financial aid and scholarships to help students cover any extra cost.

Three returned students, Whitney Pipes, Courtney Johnson and David Campos, shared their personal stories; some had received scholarships or grants, and some had learned a lot about budgets just by managing their money while abroad. The speakers encouraged students to think of study abroad as an investment in themselves and in their futures.

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