On the afternoon of Thursday, Jan. 26, the University of Maine held its annual study abroad fair in Estabrooke Hall from 2 p.m. to 5 p.m. The fair hosted many different programs for students to study or intern abroad over the course of a few weeks, a semester, or even a year. Academic and internship programs are offered for students over the summer and during the school year.
Third-year International Business student Alex Ray was in attendance to gather information for a possible study abroad program this summer. “I participated by walking from booth to booth to see what programs are offered. I hope to study or intern abroad this summer.”
The fair is open to all students hoping to gather more information about options for studying abroad. Programs are offered to all students at the university and as part of the international business concentration in the Business School, it is a requirement.
“I think the fair is a great idea,” Ray commented. “It’s an easy way to see all the different options for other students and I that are thinking about going abroad.”
Booths present at the fair included the Office of International Programs, the Study Abroad office, numerous program directors, peer advisors and mentors. The advisors and mentors included students who had previously studied abroad and wished to share their experiences and insights. These students shared information that helped aid students in making decisions. For example, they encouraged Ray to sign up for the Study Abroad Newsletter and follow their Facebook page, UMaine Study Abroad.
Ray plans on getting advice from the peer advisors available in the future, exploring her available programs and looking over possible scholarships for programs. She added that she has a friend who studied abroad in Spain last summer for international business and it is a program she is also interested in.
