Study abroad opportunities

Expo offers 'wide selection' with over 20 locations

Nataliya Laptik / staff photographer A student talks to a representative at the Study Abroad Expo.

Over 20 booths were set up to represent different programs at the Study Abroad Expo Thursday at the College Center Grand Ballroom.

Stations were established for the semester abroad programs, which included exchange programs, summer programs, short-term international study programs and international internships.

Several of the summer study abroad programs are located in non-traditional settings, such as South Korea, Malta and Martinique. The four main semester abroad programs offered by JMU are located in Italy, England, Belgium and Spain.

Freshman Stephen Callear was impressed that JMU offered such a wide selection of places to study abroad.

"I would have never even thought about going to Ghana if I hadn't come to the expo," Callear said.

Freshman Bob Svercl thought studying abroad would be a good cultural experience.

"I have never left the country, and would like to go to Eastern Europe or Australia," Svercl said.

Sophomore Daniela Goldstein thought it was important to attend an expo because it offers the opportunity to see what's available in person and have the chance to ask questions.

"You can't see everything online," Goldstein said. "It's good to come here because you may change your mind."

Sophomore Kristin Lawhorn also discovered the expo provided valuable information not listed on the Web site.

"I didn't know they offered a kinesiology program, which is my major," Lawhorn said. 

Freshman Nga Dang was glad the expo provided information about realistic costs of the trips.

"Many of the trips seemed too expensive, but they offer a lot of scholarships," Dang said.

Representatives of the programs were stationed at each booth to answer students' questions, as well as hand out brochures and write down e-mail addresses of interested students.

Lamont King, a representative for Ghana's history program, thinks it is very important to get information about the programs out to students.

"JMU is pretty well- known for its international programs, and this can only help," King said.

Students were impressed with the help the representatives offered when asked questions.

"The [representatives] were really friendly," Callear said. "They talked to you as much as you wanted."

The expo, hosted by JMU's Office of International Programs, had a large freshman turnout, according to Judy Cohen, the International Internship Program Representative.

"It's wonderful to see the number of [freshmen here]," Cohen said. "Even if they aren't ready to go just yet, they can start arranging their course schedule around it."

Svercl liked the intimate size of the crowd at the expo.

"It was really nice that it wasn't crowded here," Svercl said. "We were able to talk to pretty much every station."

Cohen felt the size of the turnout had both positive and negative aspects. 

"Obviously, we would like to have a full room," Cohen said. "But, we are happy to have the people who do come."

The expo room had a few posters with pictures of previous trips, but mainly was focused on handing out written information. 

Dang liked the expo's organization, but felt the visual aspect of the expo was lacking.

"They could have used more eye-catching things, like posters, and not just pamphlets," Dang said.

Overall, students felt the expo was helpful and interesting.

"The people were nice, and it is helping me figure out what I want," sophomore Julie Sackett said. She said her German history teacher said she should come out to the event.

For more information about International Programs, visit its Web site at www.jmu.edu/international, or visit its office located at 1077 S. Main St.