Each year the Office of Internat
ional Studies and Programs (OISP) hosts an open-house-style Study Abroad Fair, which allows students the opportunity to explore study abroad opportunities. Representatives at the event generally include Illinois State study abroad alumni, representatives from partner universities, Illinois State faculty directors, and affiliated partner companies.
The event always draws a large crowd. However, this year, OISP wanted to draw a new crowd to the event.
This fall the emphasis of the fair will be not only on study abroad program offerings but also on more nontraditional education abroad experiences. These include student teaching abroad, international internships, and volunteer/service learning programs.
“Many students don’t even know other options exist. Our goal is to showcase the wide variety of education abroad opportunities that students can participate in,” said Alex Ratcliff, Study Abroad advisor.
These additional offerings stress the importance of developing students’ critical-thinking skills and adaptability in the ever evolving global workplace. Participating in an international internship or service learning opportunity provides students with firsthand experience interacting in multicultural workplaces. Practicing these skills now will give students the confidence necessary to be successful during postcollege job interviews.
This semester’s fair will run from 1:30–4:30 p.m. Wednesday, October 21, in the Prairie Room of the Bone Student Center. Students are encouraged to stop by to gather information, interact with past participants and faculty, as well as enter for a chance to win a raffle prize. This semester, OISP will be raffling off five GoPro Hero HD Waterproof Cameras.
