Students attend fair despite economy, security concerns

Despite recent security threats and a lagging economy, USC students came in full force to the spring Study Abroad Fair Friday afternoon.It’s a risk I’m willing to take, said Hannah Sue, second-year exercise science student, concerning widespread warnings about flying internationally.The Study Abroad Fair allows students to learn about available programs, hear about the experiences of recently returned participants and understand financial aid and course credits abroad.

Many students at the fair said that their undergraduate educations provided once in a lifetime opportunities to travel and that concerns about finances or security were not major obstacles.
You’re only an undergraduate for so long, and when you go out into the real world, these kinds of opportunities just seem to slip away, said Abigail Agati, a second year English student.Referring to recent issues with international airline security, Agati added, You can’t worry about that, because the moment you start worrying about that, you’re going to be that person who never leaves their house, and that’s not the way life is supposed to be lived.

Maureen Fair, a second year Spanish student, agreed that while flying made her a little nervous, security has not had any effect on her plans to study abroad.It’s just one of those things you keep in the back of your mind, Fair said.Agati said she was surprised to find money was not a major factor in studying abroad because of the scholarships that USC and affiliate programs provide for students.They’re basically saying, ‘If you need the money, let’s find it for you, Agati said.

John Cuenin, a first-year political science student, said study abroad can be especially affordable in locations where the U.S. dollar has a favorable exchange rate, such as countries in Latin America or Asia.According to the Study Abroad Office, approximately 850 USC undergraduates studied abroad in the 2008-09 school year, and 1,800 students attended the fair. While business and liberal arts students tend to study abroad more than any others, students at the fair gave a variety of reasons for wanting to participate.I want to work for the U.S. State Department, so I want to get a different experience with different languages and cultures, and I just want to experience the world when I have a chance, Cuenin said.Students attending the fair said they found the event extremely helpful, with representatives from more than 20 program providers in 35 different countries available to answer questions.I didn’t know about a lot of these programs at all, Fair said. It’s made me want to go even more.