Study Abroad Fair planned Aug. 30 on Purdue Memorial Mall

The fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. and will feature displays about the multitude of international options open to Purdue students.

Brian Harley, assistant dean of International Programs and director of Programs for Study Abroad, said the fair is a great opportunity for students to learn how Purdue can help them to have a life-changing experience abroad.

"The purpose of the fair is to make the university community aware that study abroad is open to every Purdue student," he said. "We have more than 200 study abroad and internship programs in dozens of countries, and we send about 1,000 students abroad each year. We offer programs to students in every major."

Harley said he expects about 2,000 students to visit the fair.

He said that many of Purdue's colleges, schools and departments offer programs designed to provide a perfect academic fit for their students. For instance, students in the College of Engineering, the Krannert School of Management, the College of Agriculture and many other disciplines can meet with representatives of programs designed just for them.

During the fair, students also can meet with representatives from a number of nationally recognized non-profit groups that provide study abroad programs, such as Semester at Sea, the Institute for Study Abroad at Butler University and Study Australia. There also will be representatives from the Peace Corps and the Fulbright Commission.

Purdue Study Abroad staff will be on hand to answer questions about the details of individual programs and the application process. Student volunteers will speak to visitors about their own experiences on Purdue programs abroad and financial aid staff will explain funding options.

Harley said Purdue has programs all over the globe, but he is especially pleased to be able to offer a wide range of programs in China and India through the university's Asian Initiative grant program.

Students also can make appointments to meet with study abroad staff to discuss possible options and programs that would interest them. Sept. 15 is the application deadline for students wishing to study abroad during the spring 2007 semester.

In addition to being organized by program or department, booths also will be organized by country. Information will be available on studying in Europe, Australia, Asia, Latin America, Africa and other parts of the world.

Writer: Kim Medaris, (765) 494-6998, kmedaris@purdue.edu

Source: Brian Harley, (765) 494-2383, bharley@purdue.edu

Purdue News Service: (765) 494-2096; purduenews@purdue.edu

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