Issue date: 10/22/09 Section: News

Media Credit: Derrick Hawkins/Alestle Students at SIUE that are wanting to study abroad and travel study opportunities were able to attend the SIUE Study Abroad Fair on Oct. 20 at the Morris University Center. Students could get information about various destinations around the world to study and financial aid.

The SIUE Office of International Programs hosted the Study Abroad Fair in the Morris University Center's Goshen Lounge Tuesday showcasing various programs and universities that offer opportunities to travel for one's education.

SIUE Travel Study Programs, including Italy, Turkey and Argentina, provided information regarding their respective opportunities. Professor Lucian Stone heads the Istanbul Travel Study and said she believes that its focus on philosophy creates a unique selling point.

"I don't think anyone else is [studying philosophy]. Also, just the nature of the subject and the location. Istanbul is half in Asia, half in Europe, so you get to live in two continents, essentially, for the summer," Stone said.

Senior history and philosophy major Kelsey Borrowman went to Turkey during the 2009 summer program. Hearing fellow philosophy majors "rave" about the program urged Borrowman to participate. One of the most distinctive aspects was that Borrowman would learn about Turkish architecture and be able to witness firsthand what was discussed in class.

"I've never been homesick before in my entire life, and I'm now homesick for Istanbul. I don't miss my hometown or anything like that. I've never had that experience, but I miss Istanbul," Borrowman said.

Another program, GlobaLinks Learning Abroad Program, which includes AustraLearn/AsiaLearn/EuroLearn, provides curriculum in New Zealand and Australia, among other countries. As for many of the schools at the fair, learning the language of the host country is not a requirement to be educated in that country.

Graduate student Clark Srum traveled to Sydney, Australia and attended Macquarie University through AustraLearn/AsiaLearn. He said the largest difference between an American and a foreign collegiate institution was the type of schoolwork.

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