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ËÄ»¢Ó°ÊÓ will host the Spring Study Abroad Fair February 2 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. on the dining hall lawn where all students are invited to learn about LU’s variety of study abroad opportunities.

“Not only do students earn academic credit with study abroad, but the experience itself goes on their resume and will stay with them for the rest of their lives. Students are challenged to adapt to a new country and culture, and along the way they learn more about themselves and the world they live in,” said Brittney Crossley, coordinator of study abroad.

Crossley says that when students return from studying abroad, they have a higher GPA, are more likely to graduate on time and look more attractive to employers.

“Study abroad pushes our boundaries to explore new places, people and ways of life, and it gives us a heightened sense of independence and self-confidence knowing we have met the challenge of living and traveling abroad and succeeded,” said Jeffrey Palis, director of global studies and study abroad.

The Office of Study Abroad offers 17 different faculty-led summer study abroad programs as well as growing direct-enroll options at LU’s international partner universities.

The courses range from art appreciation, which fulfills university core requirements, to upper-division offerings in popular majors such as biology, communications, engineering, business and history.

“There are also wonderful scholarship opportunities to help fund study abroad. The College of Business and the Reaud Honors College have their own scholarships to promote study abroad, and we have the Study Abroad Fee Grant of $300 this year, which is available to all students who study abroad. Our website has a huge list of scholarships on it,” said Crossley.

The Office of Study Abroad especially encourages students with undecided summer plans to attend the fair because most deadlines for summer study abroad are in early March. More information on programs, scholarships, grants and financial aid will be available.

The Office of Study Abroad is a unit of the Division of Global Diversity, Inclusion and Intercultural Affairs. It provides students the unique opportunity to earn academic credit while exploring life abroad and promotes experiences that profoundly impact students’ personal and professional future.