the Informer

Tyler Varsell

The Study Abroad program has been available to students for the past 20 years, offering opportunities to study abroad in over 80 countries, where students can spend a semester or year studying in a country of their choice.

“Studying abroad is open to all majors; the only requirement is you must have completed your freshman year, and have a cumulative 2.5 GPA,” explains Sarah Reuter, Director of International Studies.

“Most students don’t know that financial aid, or even scholarships, can be applied to studying abroad…They can even go for as short a time as one semester if they’d like,” Reuter continued.

Students can also complete internships and work abroad.

“Previous Study Abroad alumni have said the program helped them get a job, as they were able to list skills they gained from completing the program,” Reuter explains.

This upcoming week, students will be able to speak to Study Abroad alumni and international students, as the International Center is hosting its first annual International Week at the university from March 1 to March 6, at the Commons and Gengras Student Union.

Students interested can pick up an “International Passport” from the International Center at Gengras Student Union 327, where they will get a stamp for each event attended during the International Week. If they have five stamps, they can use the “passport” to get into the International Festival on March 6 for free.

During the International Week, the Study Abroad Fair is being offered in Suisman Lounge on Thursday, March 4, where students can go learn about the program and speak to program directors about the chance to go to one of 80 countries.
“After you go abroad, you will be able to gain first-hand experience from learning or working abroad as you get to interact with a culture unlike your own,” says Reuter.

“Many students also gain friendships from studying abroad and remain in touch with people they met while they were abroad. A lot of students that completed the program say they wish they could do it again,” continued Reuter.

“Students can also learn more about Studying Abroad through a new program the university is offering, called the Global Ambassadors Program [GAP], taking place this upcoming spring semester, where they can talk to international students and get a better idea of other cultures,” says Reuter.

“GAP could definitely help some students interested in the Study Abroad program get a better idea of where they might want to go abroad,” clarified Reuter.

Students from any major are encouraged to join GAP to bridge international friendships and to make an international community. This community is where students can interact and learn more about international student’s homes and cultures through connecting with one another.

Students curious about GAP can contact Susan Carey, the Assistant Director of the Study Abroad program at sucarey@hartford.edu, or Hikmet Aslan, Assistant Director for International Relations, at aslan@hartford.edu.

Students interested in learning more about the Study Abroad program can visit their Web site at www.hartford.edu/studyabroad, or visit the International Center on campus at GSU room 327.