Kinesiolgy junior Anna Lyman attended this year’s study abroad fair. In this video she explains various booths and her thoughts on studying abroad.
For Teresa Dunn, assistant professor in the Department of Art and Art History, studying abroad in college was an experience that stuck with her.
“Study abroad changed my life,” Dunn said. “I want to give students an opportunity that can open doors for them.”
Now, Dunn provides students with the opportunity to study abroad with the Visual Art study abroad program in Florence, Italy. She said, since she understands the struggles with the economy, she tries to keep expenses as low as possible.
“I try to keep the cost low and make it accessible for all students,” Dunn said.
Dunn joined other study abroad organizations Thursday for the Study Abroad Fair in the Union, which was filled with some of the 260 study abroad programs MSU offers in 60 countries around the world.
In the past, the fair drew between 3,000 to 4,000 students, said Cheryl Benner, communications manager for the Office of Study Abroad.
Benner said she was a little concerned going into this year’s fair and was worried the turnout might not be as good as in years past because of the economy.
Although final numbers for Thursday’s fair still are being counted, Benner said her expectations were surpassed.
“It went really well,” Benner said. “It was probably about the same as last year. Considering the economy, we’re pleased with the turnout.”
This year, the study abroad program offered seminars to help students find scholarships to study abroad and how to manage money while overseas, Benner said.
“It’s just something new and a niche in the places students had a lot of questions,” Benner said. “We hope to offer them again throughout the semester.”
Economics junior Emma Rahme spent the summer abroad in China, learning Mandarin Chinese. Although it wasn’t through a MSU program, Rahme attended the fair to learn about more opportunities to study abroad.
“Today, I wanted to look for a semester-long program that works toward my major,” Rahme said.
Studying abroad is more than a way for arts and humanities junior Alison Cantor to learn and experience the Spanish language firsthand, she said.
“It looks great on résumés,” Cantor said. “Anything is great to show you want to go out and look at the culture, and you get so much out of the experience.”
Since she has to be proficient in a language for her major, Cantor went to the fair for more information on studying in Spain and other countries.
“There’s so much to choose from,” Cantor said. “There are plenty of choices if Spain doesn’t work out.”
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