August 26, 2005
Study abroad fair to be held on Purdue Memorial Mall
WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. – The Purdue University Memorial Mall will be transformed into a one-stop shop for students seeking information about studying in countries around the globe during the annual study abroad informational fair Aug. 31.
One World ... Infinite Possibilities will be held at the north end of the mall from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature a large tent encompassing 45 displays from various schools and departments at Purdue, as well as several partner universities and institutions that offer programs for study abroad. Music will be provided by Traveler's Dream, a local folk group, and free popcorn will be available.
Brian Harley, director of study abroad programs at Purdue, said the fair is a great opportunity for students to develop an interest in pursuing educational travel in other countries.
"The purpose of the study abroad fair is to bring an awareness to the Purdue community about the many wonderful opportunities offered to students interested in studying overseas," he said. "This event brings together a wide variety of disciplines at Purdue – including direct involvement by most of Purdue's colleges– that offer programs for students. It really opens people's eyes to the benefits of traveling to other countries."
Harley said more than 1,000 students are expected to attend the fair. Working the booths will be Purdue students who have studied abroad in the past, professors who have worked with study abroad programs and incoming exchange students from institutions around the world. On display will be photos and memorabilia they have collected on their trips.
Financial aid staff and study abroad counselors will be on hand to answer questions about the details and logistics of studying in another country. Students may sign up on-site for programs or make appointments with counselors. Sept. 15 is the application deadline for students to sign up to study abroad during the 2006 calendar year.
Harley said in past years, interest generated from the fair has been so strong that counselors have been booked for two to three weeks afterward.
Information on several Purdue study abroad programs will be available, including the College of Liberal Arts' creative writing program in Mexico; programs in the College of Education that offer students a chance to travel to South Africa and Honduras, and programs in the Department of History, Organizational Leadership and Supervision and the College of Engineering.
Representatives from several co-sponsored programs coordinated by non-profit organizations will also offer information for students. Organizations that will be represented include the Peace Corps, Semester at Sea, the Arcadia Center for Education Abroad, American Intercontinental University, International Programs in Agriculture, the Institute for Study Abroad at Butler University, Denmark International Studies and Study Australia.
In addition to being organized by program or department, booths will also be organized by country. Information on studying in Greece, Eastern and Western Europe, London, the Netherlands, France, New Zealand, Asia, Spain and Scandinavia will be available.
Purdue's Programs for Study Abroad has more than 200 programs in 45 countries. More than 1,000 Purdue students study abroad annually.
Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu
Sources: Brian Harley, (765) 494-2383, bharley@purdue.edu
Mary Lehew, assistant in the Office of Programs for Study Abroad, (765) 494-2370, lehew@purdue.edu
Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu
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