Education Abroad Fair to highlight PSU’s international academic programs

Next Thursday, Portland State students will have a chance to gain great insight into their school’s many studying abroad programs.

The PSU Education Abroad Fair will take place in the Smith Ballroom from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Oct. 6, and will feature representatives from study abroad programs, travel agencies and the Peace Corps, as well as speakers from many different countries. There will also be information on internship and scholarship opportunities, and even free food and prizes.

Portland State is home to more than 120 different education abroad programs, including short-term, long-term and internship-based programs, and there will be officials on hand to answer any questions a student might have.

“It can sometimes be overwhelming, because there are so many options to choose from,” said Alyse Collins, an Education Abroad advisor. “But this year there will be guidebooks handed out to help students find out what they want to know.”

Collins, who studied abroad both as an 18-year-old high school graduate in Japan and then later as a college student in Jerusalem, highlyencourages students to check out the fair because it is a once-a-year opportunity for students.

“A student can get all the information, and all of the program providers are there,” Collins said. “It’s great for any student who has identified a certain program and wants to know more about it.”

The available programs appeal to students of all academic backgrounds and preferences, precisely because the programs themselves are so varied. “Some programs are broad and relevant, and some are more narrow,” Collins said. “All of them are structured and all-inclusive, with everything already set up for you.”

Studying locations include Africa, Asia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East and Oceania.

One of the most common problems students face when it comes to studying abroad is the price. A typical Education Abroad program requires not only that a student pay program tuition and airfare, but also a per-term surcharge to PSU. But Collins says that the fair will highlight available scholarships specifically designed for studying abroad, and that students can find plenty of information on how to make their trip affordable.

The fair will also feature recently returned students who will speak about their trips and give advice on overcoming the difficulties particular to studying abroad, such as language and culture barriers. Wariness of these difficulties is common. Collins said that even she felt worried when she began her first study abroad experience, despite having studied Japanese for two years. In the end, however, it was a “fascinating experience.”

Collins also noted that Portland State’s Education Abroad programs feature language partners to help you brush up on your conversation skills.
Collins encourages students who have not thought about studying internationally to visit the fair, noting its considerable resources for those who may not be informed as to how much help is available to them and how valuable the education abroad experience may prove to be.

“A study abroad program gives you a good chance to study your academic discipline from a different perspective, and an internship gives you practical work experience and lets you find things out about yourself before you commit to a career,” Collins said. “Having international experience can be valuable for a résumé. You can get job leads or references, and good networking opportunities exist. In our world, international experience can make a student very marketable.”