Fair to give information on study abroad
By Marci King
Staff Reporter

Students will be able to discover a new range of education opportunities at the first Education Abroad Fair today in the Student Center, said Tracy Williams, the education abroad coordinator.

“Studying abroad is an incredibly valuable and enriching experience,” Williams said.

She said the fair is aimed at exposing students to learning on a different level.

“When students choose to study abroad they can experience firsthand what they would normally only see in books,” she said.

Katie Belka, a senior advertising and public relations major, said she studied abroad last spring in London, and it was one of the most fulfilling experiences she had.

“It was so interesting to live and learn in a different culture,” she said.

Nowell Donovan, a professor of geology, said he takes groups of students to Scotland to study abroad, and it is a mind-opening experience for students.

“I do my best teaching when I am in Scotland,” Donovan said. “Being outdoors in the actual environment is better than a classroom, and it is very liberating.”

Williams said studying abroad will provide students an opportunity to interact with people who think and act differently.

“Our two main goals for students who study abroad is for the experience to increase their communication and problem solving skills because of the different environment they are in,” she said.

Being able to put things into context for the students is something only a study abroad program can offer, Donovan said.

“This is probably an experience that every student should try,” he said. “Students realize they are part of the human race and it is a wonderful thing to see.”

Students will be able to see the wide range of study abroad options available at the fair, Williams said.

She said they can pick between the different lengths of stay and differing academic disciplines.

“We have programs that run for just the summer or a semester, to ones that last all year,” Williams said. “Students can pick from a variety of disciplines ranging from business to geology.”

Belka said she will be working at the fair to answer questions and help represent the TCU London Centre.

When you study abroad you are forced to grow up because you are far from home and on your own, she said.

“I learned how strong, responsible and competent I can be when thrust into a different situation,” Belka said.

Marci King
m.l.king@student.tcu.edu

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