Students share abroad experiences at open house

The Georgia College international open house was held on Friday Aug. 29 in Lanier Hall. A free event open to all, the program was designed to inform and excite students about the many international opportunities available to them.

Whether hoping to study abroad or just to get involved in on-campus activities, the open house was a venue for students to learn more about international programs.

Student study abroad representatives were present at the event to share personal tips and advice learned through experience, while international advisers offered guidance and support on issues like finances and applications.

Though over 200 local students study abroad each year and around 100 international students attend GC full-time, the main goal of the open house was to get more students internationally-involved and interested. Liz Havey, an international advisor, wants students to know that going abroad is not the only way to be internationally-involved.

“Beyond study abroad, there are lots of ways to internationalize your experience,” Havey said.

Programs such as the First Friday Foreign Film Festival and the International Club are simple and cost-free ways for students to increase their knowledge and awareness of the world around them. Though studying abroad can be expensive, there are more than a few scholarships and financial aid options available to determined students.

“HOPE and federal aid can apply and Georgia has a study abroad scholarship fund that awards around $60,000 to students each year,” Havey said. “There are also a number of private scholarships based on location, language studied, GPA and financial situation.”

Hillary Davis, a senior English literature major, spent an entire semester studying in Thailand last Spring, and knows from experience the importance of receiving financial aid. She advises students to start looking at options early.

“I got about $11,000 in scholarships and didn’t have to pay for any of my trip,” Davis said.

Vanessa Whited | gcsunade.com

Senior photography major Tennyson Mosher (right) shares her study abroad experience with sophomore psychology major Samantha Hilliard (left) at the International Education Center Open House. Mosher spent the entire month of June and part of July taking photography classes in Ireland for GC credit.

Sophomore sociology major Joy Bowen is hoping to follow Davis’s lead by spending her next academic year in the Netherlands. Though the current school year is still young, she has already begun the process of looking for scholarships and discussing her plans and options with advisors.

“The international center is awesome and very helpful,” Bowen said.

Though many students like Bowen yearn to travel abroad for an extensive period of time, such a commitment is not for everyone. Shorter, less expensive trips are offered during May and summer semesters with aid opportunities for each.

“Students can stop by the office any weekday from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., or find us on Facebook or Twitter at GCSU Study Abroad,” Havey said.

Posted by TristanHarrison on Sep 1 2011. Filed under News. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0. You can skip to the end and leave a response. Pinging is currently not allowed.