Excitement filled the MacVittie College Union on Wednesday Feb. 5 as the spring semester’s study abroad fair took place. Multiple study abroad programs were stationed throughout the Union advertising incredible opportunities for students. Destinations featured included Australia, Greece and Spain. Students are given the option to go abroad in the summer or winter, as well as during spring break or for an entire semester. Some fascinating programs include ones that are student exchange or faculty-led.
There are many opportunities for students to study abroad, and the student study abroad interns have only good things to say about it.
“I studied abroad in Berlin, Germany, during the spring 2019 semester. As an international relations major with a minor in German, the decision to study abroad in Germany was an easy one,” study abroad intern senior Alberta Eshenour said. “In high school, I lived in Leipzig, Germany for 11 months as a Rotary Youth Exchange Student. [I] have studied German and wanted to go back to Germany ever since.”
There are many different reasons that students may want to study abroad, including to live in a different culture, learn a new language or to have a change of pace from their normal school setting.
“I want to study abroad because I want to immerse myself in a different culture, which fascinates me,” biology major sophomore Emily Bablin said.
Studying abroad can change the way one sees the world, and it provides many opportunities that cannot be found by just staying at one’s home institution.
“My experiences abroad have been the foundation of my academic career thus far and have led me to meet some of my best friends in the world,” Eshenour said. “I became a study abroad intern so that I could help other students find life-changing experiences like that as well.”
Study abroad is a big part of Geneseo and many students taking part in it. The plethora of options may be overwhelming to students at first, but it can be made easier by going to the Geneseo study abroad page and clicking on the “search programs” button. There are also four study abroad interns that have office hours for students to come and meet to ask any questions. Students can find these hours on the Geneseo study abroad page as well.
Study abroad is a great opportunity for students to go out of their comfort zones and learn things that they would never be able to do in a normal classroom setting, and it is encouraged for students to take the opportunity that is presented to them while in college.