Students arise with study abroad fair

The annual study abroad fair saw many students before doors even opened at 11 a.m., students were lined up outside Pierson Auditorium in the University Center with hopes of taking the next step toward studying abroad.Once inside, students found booths for various majors, languages, internships and study abroad services.Students have a variety of programs to choose from including semester, year-long and summer study abroad programs. Most programs have language requirements, but some do not.

Although UMKC has thousands of students, only a small handful of them participate in a study abroad experience. Study Abroad Fair Coordinator Kate Wozniak would like to change this.
The study abroad fair’s goal is to raise awareness about the study abroad opportunities available to students and what the experience can mean to them,Wozniak said.Roughly 300 UMKC students per year participate in study abroad programs. The majority of those students choose to participate in short term or summer programs.Many students found the fair to be a great resource for them.

I didn’t even know what I needed to do, but now I have applications and I have been able to talk to the right people to get the process started,Jennifer Shea said.Some students were not only ready to get the process started, they were anxious for the exchange experience to take off.
I just got information about the trip going to Argentina, and I think I am definitely going to study abroad,Eddie Freeman said. “This is a great opportunity to see other countries, to experience life outside the U.S. and learn a new language.This is not only a personal but a professional benefit,Wozniak said.It’s a global environment that we are living in, and employers are finding it essential for students to have international competencies.Freshman Alexander Schumm said he looks forward to studying abroad.

I feel much more prepared to make a decision about studying abroad after coming to the fair, Schumm said.I went to the tables and learned a little bit about the opportunities available to me. I think I am definitely going to go abroad.Senior Christopher Williams also found the fair helpful.
I knew I wanted to study abroad ever since I was a freshman,Williams said. The study abroad fair really helped me out because I was able to learn more information about the costs and such.
After solidifying the costs, Williams chose to make his study abroad dreams a reality.He studied abroad with the UMKC Mexico program and earned nine credits from studying abroad for six weeks.The study abroad experience provided Williams with a unique language learning experience.

Going to another country,Williams said.I was able to speak the language, which was probably the best part of the study abroad experience.Williams had so much fun studying abroad that he volunteered at the fair. Like many who study or travel abroad, Williams already has additional plans to experience other countries. He wants to study abroad in Spain and work on his Spanish, along with a few other languages.Students who are interested in studying abroad should plan on working closely with the office of International Academic Programs.The process is fairly simple, Wozniak explains.First, students should come to and a Friday information session at the International Academic Programs office,Wozniak said.The next part of the process is to choose a program and set up an appointment with International Academic Programs.The UMKC students are quick to see the benefits of a study abroad experience.I’ve never been overseas and this seems like a really good chance to do so,student Laura Rennicke said.I’ve got nothing holding me back right now, so why not learn as much as I can while I am in school.”