The University Center’s Palo Duro Lounge was abuzz with activity on Wednesday as students gathered for the Study Abroad Fair, an event geared towards promoting study abroad opportunities and scholarships accessible to students.
According to Study Abroad director Kelli Anderson, the fair is a biannual affair designed to furnish students with essential information about various study abroad programs and facilitate direct engagement with program organizers.
With an extensive array of over 500 programs spanning 62 countries, Anderson emphasized the diverse range of opportunities available to students. Eligibility criteria typically entail good academic and disciplinary standing, with a minimum GPA requirement of 2.5 for most programs.
Anderson further highlighted the flexibility of financing options for students embarking on study abroad endeavors. Existing loans, grants, and scholarships can be applied towards these programs, in addition to specialized scholarships exclusively tailored for students pursuing international studies.
At the fair, a dedicated table catered to addressing financial aid inquiries and providing assistance with program applications, offering students a comprehensive support system for navigating the study abroad process.
Emphasizing the transformative impact of cross-cultural interactions, Anderson underscored the value of studying abroad in fostering students’ global competence and readiness for success. “By studying abroad, a student is really able to take what they’re learning here at UTA and put it into practice in a global context,” Anderson remarked.
For students like Oladimeji Bolumade, a junior in information systems, the fair provided an opportunity to explore educational prospects abroad. Expressing interest in cybersecurity and eyeing Italy as a potential destination, Bolumade articulated his aspirations, stating, “I’ve always wanted to travel to Italy, so being able to find a job or career out there, that would be pretty nice.”
