Study Abroad Day adds new event

The Office of International Programs will host its first Study Abroad Day event tomorrow.

Instead of holding just the regular annual Study Abroad Fair, the International Programs office broadened the event to include a Global Fest as well.

This new aspect of the event will give students a chance to talk with others who have studied abroad in a more casual setting.

Sharon Boots, a senior majoring in retail merchandising, is one of several returning study abroad students who will be at Global Fest.

“We will be there to talk to students and share our experiences,” she said.

Global Fest will have a more relaxed atmosphere where students will not have to feel pressured to talk about studying abroad, but they can have fun with their peers, Boots explained.

Global Fest will feature games such as bowling, pool and Wii, as well as food from European culture. The menu includes scones, strudel sticks, bruschetta and bagettes, and Boursin cheese ball with crackers.

In the future, Global Fest will feature foods from different regions of the world each year.

The Study Abroad Fair will showcase many representatives from various study abroad programs. Eleven different affiliate study abroad providers will be present, as well as a representative from the University of the Sunshine Coast in Australia.

NDSU faculty will also present study abroad programs within their various academic departments, such as business, education, criminal justice, history, sociology and agriculture.

“It will be a neat way for students to walk through and brainstorm ideas about study abroad with the representatives,” Study Abroad Advisor Dominique Karlsson said.

Representatives can give students a feel for the programs and explain all the unique details that really make the experience unforgettable, Karlsson explained.

At the fair, students may also vote in the photo contest, which comprises two categories of photos taken by students during their study abroad experience. The winner of the contest will receive a gift card to the NDSU Bookstore.

The goal of these Study Abroad Day events is to raise awareness of study abroad opportunities, Karlsson said.

“It’s a good idea for students to start thinking about study abroad programs early so they can fit it into their schedules,” she said.

Boots studied abroad last fall in 12 different countries in five weeks as part of the college of business program. Each different study abroad program tailors to students’ unique areas of study and schedules, she explained.

The number of NDSU students who studied abroad during the 2011-2012 academic year was 265.

“Studying abroad is definitely growing on campus,” Karlsson said.

Some of the benefits of studying abroad include practicing a language, experiencing a new culture, earning course credit and building a resume that demonstrates intercultural skills, Karlsson explained.

“Returning students say their mind has been completely expanded,” she said. “They better understand how they fit into the bigger picture of the world.”

Study Abroad Day begins with the Study Abroad Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. in Thundar’s Den on the lower level of the Memorial Union.

Global Fest will take place from 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Rec Center of the Memorial Union.

Students may collect NDSU passport stamps at both events for a chance to win $250 toward an airline ticket from STA Travel.

For more information about study abroad opportunities, attend a study abroad information session Monday through Thursday at 4 p.m. in the International Programs office.