January 24, 2020 | UHCL Staff
University of Houston-Clear Lake’s inaugural Education Abroad Fair will take place Tuesday, Feb. 4, 10 a.m. – 1 p.m., in Atrium II of the Bayou Building.
The event is an opportunity for students to connect with UH-Clear Lake’s partner providers, faculty who are leading study abroad programs, and other departments such as Captain Wendell M. Wilson Office of Veteran Services and the Office of Student Financial Aid that are involved in study abroad activities, says Executive Director of Education Abroad and Scholar Services Bianca Schonberg. Going forward, she said there would be two Education Abroad fairs per academic year at UHCL.
“We will have more than 20 partner providers from all over the country here to direct students to programs and answer questions they may have specific to scholarships and grants,” she said. “The providers are from all over the U.S. and individually, they represent countries all over the world.”
As students move from booth to booth, Schonberg said, they can speak with the representatives from each program provider and learn about what’s available. “Students can learn about the programs and find what they’re looking for, whether it’s an internship, a service learning program or a study experience,” she said. “There are easily over 300 programs to choose from. Anything from a two-week program to a yearlong experience. It’s available on all continents, in almost any country. Whatever you can imagine, there’s probably a program that will fit your needs.”
She added that veterans who wish to participate in a study abroad experience can find out how their military benefits can cover the expenses, and students with disabilities should apply as well. “With help from the Accessibility Support Center, we can ensure students will receive the accommodations they need,” she said. “There are so many scholarships and grants for first-generation students as well.”
Because of the rising popularity of K Pop (Korean pop) music, Schonberg said that South Korea has become a very coveted study abroad destination. “Japan is also very interesting to people because of the upcoming Olympic Games,” she said. “London and Italy are always popular, but Costa Rica is very budget friendly and allows for both coastal and inland experiences that are culturally immersive.”
Study abroad experiences can often be a differentiator on a job application. “This is a learning experience beyond the classroom, and it can really set you apart from other students who are graduating with the same degree,” she said. “There is a huge return on an investment in study abroad.”
Read more about Education Abroad opportunities online.
