Study Abroad Fair

Study Abroad Fair

The UM Study Abroad Office expects more than 300 students to go abroad this year. At the Fair held on Thursday, Study Abroad introduced new programs for this summer and encouraged students to try something different.

“We are giving a whole lot more, than we were doing in previous years. Italian language program is a brand new thing. This year students can take classes in London in the Hogwarts castle, where Harry Potter movie was filmed. “said Vanessa Cook, a Study Abroad Office coordinator.

A new way of representing programs at the Fair, attracted more than 500 students.

“We want students to really get the idea of what is this all about. That’s why the professors who actually take students to foreign countries and the students who participated earlier are here. They are showing to all interested students the background of different countries.” said Vanessa Cook.

Lee Harris spent a month in Italy 3 years ago. This year he volunteered at the Fair with the UM Study Abroad office to encourage prospective students.

“My Italian teacher made me go. She was an awesome person and encouraged the whole class to go. We saw a whole Italy. I took my final exam sitting on the beach. It was a changing experience. My awareness changed. At first, I was hanging out with Americans, everything was new, and we were tourists. But by the end, I just started respecting their culture and felt I was a part of it. And also felt a need to behave myself, not as a tourist, but as someone who belonged there.”

Lee said that those who decide to go, should expect unexpected.

“You go abroad, you know that you are going to learn about other culture, but you don’t realize how much you are going to learn about your own culture and about yourself. That was what surprised me the most. “

The process of applying has started and for those students seeking financial aid, OleMiss is offering different possibilities.

“Financial aid is provided for students who don’t receive some other kind of it already. But our office is offering exchange programs for the same amount of money, as if you were staying at OleMiss. There are also scholarships than some of our departments offer to their students” Vanessa Cook said.

Caroline Grewe, a sophomore marketing major, was one of more than 500 students who came to the Fair, looking for something different in their academic future.

“I think I’m going to Greece with my roommate. Or maybe to Africa. It depends on what my major offers. I want to see how everything is run outside America. This could be a great experience, so why not give it a try?”