Global Programs hosts Education Abroad Fair Oct. 2

UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — The 2019 Education Abroad Fair will be held from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Wednesday, Oct. 2, in the HUB's Alumni Hall. The fair offers a chance for students to learn about available opportunities for international experiences, said Briana Casey, exchange and outreach coordinator for education abroad at Penn State.

“We’ll have over 80 representatives from around the world and from different colleges and offices at Penn State, talking about everything from programs that last a few days to ones that last a full academic year,” she said.

Penn State faculty who lead programs have been invited to share information about their international courses with students. These faculty-led programs, which usually take place either over the summer or as part of an existing course, can provide specific academic content in an international context.

The fair will also showcase Penn State’s growing international internship and research offerings. Internship providers will be presenting their opportunities to students during a breakout session from 1 p.m. to 2 p.m. in Room 134 of the HUB.

One such program is the Perrault Fellows Program, which offers leadership and ethical training along with funding for exciting internship opportunities to students from the Eberly College of Science, Smeal College of Business, and the colleges of the Liberal Arts, Engineering, Agricultural Sciences, and Information Science and Technology.

Students will also have the opportunity to hear from previous study-abroad participants, who will share insights from their time abroad about housing, culture differences, language barriers and academic structure.

“The Ed Abroad Fair is just one of the ways we showcase everything that a learning abroad experience has to offer,” said Brian Brubaker, director of education abroad in Global Programs. “It’s a great way for students and faculty to engage directly with representatives from so many of the programs Penn State partners with. We believe study abroad has benefits for every student.”

Cost is a prevailing factor for many students who are thinking about studying abroad. Representatives from the Office of Student Aid will be present at the fair, and Global Programs has created a quick and easy guide to funding a study abroad experience. The University is committed to supporting study abroad experiences through programs such as the Diversity Grant in Aid and Africa/Latin America scholarships as well as the  Global All In Scholarship program.

There will also be other events during the day at the HUB, including the Center for Sexual and Gender Diversity’s Takeover Day, and the "Best of Penn State" carnival on Old Main Lawn to celebrate Homecoming. The Berkey Creamery will be offering free ice cream at the Education Abroad Fair all day.

“We’re hoping that students take advantage of all of the great events happening at the HUB on Wednesday,” said Casey.

Students interested in studying abroad may visit Education Abroad’s website for some basic information prior to the fair. Applications for summer, fall, and academic-year programs beginning in 2020 will open on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

Those with questions regarding the Education Abroad Fair may contact Briana Casey at bkc5202@psu.edu.