MAILED: Sept. 13, 2001
EAU CLAIRE — University of
Wisconsin-Eau Claire students interested in taking liberal arts classes in a
19th century mansion in Harlaxton, England, or experiencing the rainforests in
Lismore, Australia, can learn more at the Study Abroad Fair.
The event, sponsored by the Center for International
Education and Veterans of Study Abroad, will be from 3 to 5 p.m. Thursday,
September 27, in the Council Fire Room, Davies Center.
Study abroad coordinator Cheryl Lochner-Wright said the
number of students studying abroad at UW-Eau Claire has doubled in the past five
years, while only 3-4 percent of students study abroad nationwide.
“Studying abroad allows students to step outside the
familiar and discover who they are as individuals, as students and as members of
this particular society in ways that are very difficult to duplicate by staying
in the U.S.,” Lochner-Wright said.
And according to Lochner-Wright, studying abroad may also
help students when they enter the working world.
“Employers say that they like to see study abroad on a
resume because students who study abroad typically have certain traits employers
value, such as flexibility, independence, willingness to take risks and cultural
sensitivity,” Lochner-Wright said.
Senior Amanda Olson, from Durand, studied abroad
in Cuernavaca, Mexico, for a summer and was in Oviedo, Spain, during the
2000-2001 academic year. Olson decided to study abroad not only because she is a
Spanish major, but also to experience different cultures on her own.
“Studying abroad built my character, along with my
confidence and my understanding for things foreign,” Olson said. “It also
allowed me to take a few steps back and appreciate differences while eliminating
inner-self criticism of them.”
Olson said she has always wanted to travel abroad and the
Study Abroad Fair helped her learn more about her options.
“Students are free to walk around, look at pictures,
ask questions, collect information and get a pretty good feel for what each
program is about,” Olson said, noting that students will be able to have
someone who is actually from a particular country or is a veteran of that
program answer questions or respond to any concerns.
For more information, call the Center for International
Education at (715) 836-4411.
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RM/NW
[Administrative Offices]
[News Bureau]
UW-Eau Claire News Bureau
Schofield 201
(715) 836-4741
newsbur@uwec.edu
Updated: Sept. 13, 2001
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