As of 11 a.m. Tuesday, 150 students had attended.One
of those students was Kait Boyle, a first-year graduate student majoring in sociology.Boyle said she was drawn to the fair because she is hoping to study abroad in Spain, but said it has been difficult to find study abroad programs for graduate students.It’s a great way to network with scholars,said Boyle, who has studied abroad in Norway.I study society and human behavior and it is a good way to see other countries and how they compare with the US.Most of the exhibitors at this year’s fair are from University departments and organizations.One of the most popular exhibits was the Cannes Film Festival Study Abroad Program.The program receives 65 applicants and accepts 26 students. Though most applicants are in Grady College, the program accepts students outside of journalism majors.We look for students who are independent and go-getters,said Anna Beaver, program coordinator.We look for maturity and people who make the most of this incredible networking opportunity.Though this program gives students a glimpse into the film industry, the Cannes Lions Advertising Festival Study Abroad offers students the opportunity to meet with industry professionals and celebrities on the future of advertising over the next 10 years.In the past, students have met Arianna Huffington, will.i.am and Ben Stiller to talk about branding with other companies, Beaver said.For those interested in working abroad, exhibitors such as the Terry College of Business offered its most popular program Terry Travels, which introduces students to managers in various business sectors in three Eastern European countries.We have partners with other prominent business schools where students can study abroad,said Holly Alderman, program specialist with Terry College. Alderman said Peking University is a good networking opportunity for those who want to do business in China.
Though most of the study abroad programs are geared toward business majors, a few programs accept pre-business majors.Alderman said the programs are not to be taken lightly.Our programs are academic-based programs, too.she said.So we look for student who are going in this and aren’t seeing this as a vacation because we are going to be traveling to high level companies.Some exhibitors came with a focus on service and leadership, such as Global LEAD.The program, already in its fourth year, caters to students who want to give back in other countries.Georgia is just a natural fit for us,said Carolyn Prebil, marketing director for Global LEAD.Four out of our five executives graduated from UGA, and we really love bringing bulldogs around the world with us.
Global LEAD emphasizes service, leadership and adventure while offering course credit in the Leadership and Service Learning Certificate Program, Prebil said. Students would have the opportunity to work in the organization’s community center in Quito, Ecuador, work with refugees in Athens, Greece or visit the township of Cape Town, South Africa.As with Terry College and Cannes, Global LEAD seeks aspiring and focuses students.We look for ambitious, passionate students who have a passion for leadership and service and want to go somewhere new and different,Prebil said.Hannia Hafeez, a sophomore international business and Arabic major expressed an interest in similar global efforts that Global LEAD fosters.I want to learn more about other people and their way of life,Hafeez said.A lot of confusion arises from a lack of understanding.Day two of the Study, Work and Travel Abroad fair will continue Wednesday from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
