By Jason Koole
Western Herald
Emily Bringer(right) and Heidi Schmuker (center) discuss study abroad options with Cultural Experiences Abroad Regional Consultant, Jon Jorgenson, during the 2009 Study and Intern Abroad Fair on Tuesday, Oct. 6 in the Bernhard Center's South Ballroom. (Chyn Wey Lee / Western Herald)
The South Ballroom of the Bernhard Center resembled an international airport terminal Tuesday afternoon during the Study Abroad and Intern Fair.
The fair was designed to provide Western Michigan University students with information about their options for studying and interning abroad. The fair also allowed students to talk with other students who have previously participated in programs abroad.
Information was offered about WMU programs, those led by its faculty, and other, third party programs that have been approved by the university.
“Students searching for a specific region of the world or area of study can easily find what they are looking for as the fair floor plan groups similar programs together,” said Krystal Bresnahan, one of the fair’s coordinators.
Bresnahan has also participated in study abroad programs twice.
“I went on the grand tour of Europe in 2007 and then again last summer, 2009. I’ve done it for graduate credit and undergraduate credit and I’m a very strong advocate for the programs here at Western,” she said.
Studying abroad can open up many doors for students, according to Donald McCloud, dean of the Haenicke Institute for Global Education (HIGE) at WMU.
“In my mind, every student should [study abroad],” McCloud said. “Every student needs to know about the world outside of the United States. One of the best ways to gain perspective to life outside of the United States is to live there [outside of the United States]. That’s what study abroad for the most part does.”
HIGE promotes the globalization and internationalization of academic environment at WMU, and study abroad is one of the institute’s main areas of activity, offering more than 60 sites that students can study at.
Bresnahan agrees with McCloud that the HIGE’s study abroad programs are very successful and that students should take the opportunity to study abroad.
“It’s really a different kind of learning experience getting outside of the classroom getting outside of the familiar culture,” Bresnahan said. “They’re going to learn a lot more outside of the traditional curriculum. Different things like navigating foreign cities or communicating and building interpersonal relationships despite language barriers or just having that type of personal experience, that hands on learning. It’s very memorable.”
Studying abroad is not only a memorable and fun experience for students, but professors as well. Lee D. Delisle, Ph.D., a professor in the Department of Health, Physical Education and Recreation at WMU, runs a program where students go with him to Rome, something he enjoys doing each year.
“I’d have to say that we’ve had a really great time,” Delisle said. “What we did was we met almost weekly, biweekly for about two months before the trip. Everybody got to know each other very well, friendships were already developed.”
For such a good opportunity, the only question that some students end up having is whether or not they can get financial aid to cover the price of studying abroad.
“There are some scholarships funds available for study abroad, not enough, never enough,” McCloud said. “There are funds available for language study abroad and some other funding for non-language study. Any student who wants to study abroad should come to Haenicke Institute, we can’t promise there will be scholarship money available but for many of the students there might be.”
The Study and Internship Abroad Fair did not only contain information on studying abroad but also on hosting students from other countries as well. Colleagues International is a non-profit organization that lets visitors come to America, and lets American families host them in their home, among many other services it offers.
“It is an internship for adults,” Program Manager Jauwanna Pitts said. “We bring people from other countries to give them a taste of America, for whatever program they’re interested in, such as education, interface religion, anti-corruption, and things of that nature.”
As the world continues to become more connected, McCloud believes that studying abroad is vital.
“[Studying abroad] is a key way that students learn about the world outside of the United States,” McCloud said.
“In the 21st century we really do need to know about study abroad. Many students will go abroad in their workplace and their activities but even if you are only going to the voting booth in Kalamazoo in the future, you need to know about the world.”
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