Saying “just go away!” typically isn’t the best way to start a conversation. The UMD study abroad representatives, however, proudly wear that exact message on their colored shirts. The difference is that they’re actually wishing you all the best with the words beneath the catching slogan: “Study abroad.”
“I really learned a lot about how I want to live my life,” said 2010 graduate Holly Slouse, who says she discovered her passions while studying abroad in South Africa, among other places.
Slouse was one of multiple students, UMD graduates and UMD faculty/staff working at the Study Abroad Fair on February 9. Students who attended the event had the opportunity to ask questions, receive brochures and learn about international opportunities while checking out little bits of other countries’ cultures and talking to students who had actually been to those parts of the world.
UMD faculty and students gather for the annual Study Abroad Fair.
Shannon Woolery, a senior business major, fully supported taking advantage of the study abroad program.
“It’s an experience you won’t regret,” she said, mentioning that it’s harder to find the opportunity and time to go abroad during life after college. In addition, going with a UMD group creates a great sense of community. “[Our group] ended up really close,” she said, also lauding the faculty member leading her trip as the “best mix between a teacher and a mentor.”
Students studying abroad can choose to study abroad for as little as three weeks (for a winter or summer program) or as much as a semester or a full year. Any amount of time away may present challenges, including culture shock, but students working at the fair insisted it was worth it.
Shanté Lewis of Education Abroad said that studying abroad can play a helpful role in becoming a global citizen and active learner, but understands that it can be a tough decision, especially for students struggling to prepare a resume and background for life after college.
She suggested that busy collegiettes™ looking to make the most of their college years ask themselves, “What are some unique experiences that you can only have while going abroad?”
Lewis mentioned the chance to work on a multicultural team, learn a language,or have an internship abroad as overarching potential answers to the question, but it’s also a good idea for students to do a little research on the particular program they’re interested in.
The University of Maryland offers study abroad programs in Chile, England, Croatia, Austria, China, Germany and several other countries. Students can also check out UMD’s partnerships with other schools’ study abroad programs. The price for each program varies depending on its length and location, but scholarships are available. Interested students can learn more at http://international.umd.edu/study abroad.