FGCU’s International Services is hosting a Study Abroad Fair from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. Wednesday, Oct. 7. This fair is for anyone interested in learning more about study abroad.
Study abroad is a program that allows students to get college credit in different parts of the world. There are different organizations participants can go though and this fair will allow students to meet with different potential parties they could use.
“We will have reps from 22 organizations, mostly third party providers that run different types of programs around the world,” Matt Ryan, the assistant director of study abroad said in an email.
“I am very excited about the fair,” said Maribel Gomez, a sophomore communication major. “I am at the point where I know where I want to study, so this will help me find a program that fits what Iwant.”
Raychel Briggs, a senior communication major, spent her summer abroad.
“When I studied abroad this past summer, I lived in the city center of Florence, Italy,” Briggs said. “I also spent a weekend in Rome, a weekend in Venice and a weekend in Paris. On days I didn’t have class, I took day trips to Italian cities like Pisa, Milan and the island of Cinque Terre.”
Study abroad offers a look into a new culture while working toward getting credits for the student’s major. Usually, there’s some room for fun on the side.
“A typical day for me usually started around 8 a.m.,” Briggs said. “Over there, when the church bells rang, everyone got up and started the day. There was no use in trying to sleep in. I would leave my apartment and stop at this cafe right before crossing the Ponte Vecchio — the bridge you see in all of the photographs of Florence I lived on the other side of it and get a croissant and cappuccino for two euros. Then, if I had class, I would head to class for a few hours and then grab dinner with friends before heading to one of the town squares to watch the street performers. There was always something going on in the streets at night — comedians, musicians, poets, anything.”
Students who are interested in study abroad can start doing things to prepare for their academic adventure now.
“Students can focus on what they want to get out of a study abroad experience in terms of goals, desired location, when and for how long a period they want to be abroad for,” Ryan said. “There are so many options that the more the student can zero in on what they want the easier it is to filter the option. Thinking about when they want to go and registering for courses wisely now so that they can be more flexible with electives during their study abroad is something they can do early.”
Along with the fair Oct. 7, International Services holds weekly information sessions, the schedule for which can be found at its website, www.fgcu.edu/ international.