Study Abroad orientation set for Wednesday
Lamar University offers a wide variety of study abroad trips each year. Students can learn more about these trips at the Study Abroad Fair, Oct. 24, at the Dining Hall Lawn from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m.
The trips offer hands-on experience in each field of study. Opportunities range from a study of art in Italy to exploring the geography of Iceland, Ashli Gonzales, senior administrative associate for the office of study abroad, said.
“(Study abroad) is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity and it’s something that is going to help you in the long run,” she said. “You’re also going to get a chance to be around different cultures and experiences. It is an chance to see that there is something bigger than yourself, something bigger than Beaumont.”
Tables dedicated to each program will be set up for students to speak with the faculty members attending the trip. Students can also receive information about financial aid, have a step-by-step walk through of the program’s policies and procedures, and ask questions about study abroad.
“Essentially, it’s a mini orientation,” Gonzales said. “It’s going to go (from) beginning to the end of the trips, and you will be able to browse the tables, see the different places they’re going to be going, and get some information along with feedback from our office.”
During the fair, hard copies of applications for atrips will be available. However, Gonzales said she prefers students to apply online through the study abroad website.
“If students have a smart phone, they are easily able to apply at the fair,” she said. “We can walk them through the process of going to lamar.edu and pulling up the study abroad website so they can fill (an application) out right there.”
Gonzales said students who have already signed up to go on a trip may also fill out health information forms. Gonzales said scholarships, short-term loans and grants are available.
“Lamar has a huge pool of scholarships that they try to push just towards the study abroad program,” she said. “Any student who signs up and goes on a study abroad trip will get a $300 scholarship from the office of study abroad, right off the top. They just have to apply for it.”
Gonzales said students have the opportunity to pay a weekly amount over the course of the year through Lamar’s Marketplace, instead of paying a bulk sum before the deadline.
“We’re trying to open up availabilities where the average student at Lamar University can experience something like this,” she said. “Over time, it starts to add up, and by the time the deadline to pay is up, you will already have everything paid off and you don’t even notice it.”
Gonzales said the average number of students who attend each program is around 12 students, and each year LU offers more opportunities to travel across the globe.
“Study abroad is a lot bigger than people think,” she said. “It is a lot more accessible, and I would encourage any student who has ever thought about it to definitely come and apply or ask any questions they may have.”
For more information, visit lamar.edu/studyabroad, or the study abroad office in the Herman Iles Building at the John Gray Center.
Story by Morgan Collier, UP contributor