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Students who have taken the opportunity to study abroad say the experience is far-reaching and goes beyond academic learning.

“I would truly say that studying abroad was life-changing—maybe not what I learned and saw, but being pushed outside my comfort zone and meeting new people,” said Bryan Gross, a senior from Lindenhurst, Illinois, majoring in marketing.

Gross spent several weeks studying in Ireland—a locale he sought due to his strong Irish heritage. Gross spent half of the trip in Ballyvaughan on the west coast of Ireland “toward the Burren and some of the old and beautiful landscape of Ireland.” The second half of the trip was in Dublin, the capital of Ireland—learning about recent history through the potato famine and the revolution of 1916.

To showcase study abroad and away opportunities, UW Oshkosh’s Office of International Education will host the 2019 Spring Study Abroad Fair from noon to 4 p.m. Wednesday, Feb. 27, at Reeve Ballroom.

A casual, open-house atmosphere gives students the chance to check out all types of study-abroad opportunities.

“Students should think seriously about studying abroad,” said Mary Reinke, senior program manager in the international education office. “One of the most important and life-changing experiences you can do while in college is to study abroad.”

Colleen Koerner, a UW Oshkosh senior majoring in international studies and geography, said she intends to travel abroad again after spending a semester in the Dominican Republic.

“I decided I wanted to study abroad after taking my first Spanish class in high school,” she said. “I chose the Dominican Republic because I wanted to study in a Spanish-speaking country, but I also wanted to go to a country that wasn’t a common study- abroad destination and was a bit more off the beaten path.”

Koerner said she challenged herself: choosing the Caribbean because the Spanish spoken is considered to be the most difficult for non-native speakers to understand due to the quick tempo and accent.

“Although I learned many things academically,” she said, “my personal growth was much greater and more meaningful. I grew in my ability to look at things from a global perspective— as well as in my ability to keep calm in uncomfortable situations and make decisions under pressure.”

The Oshkosh native said she is currently exploring opportunities to volunteer abroad.

Many UWO opportunities

UW Oshkosh offers more than 50 group programs for students to choose from, with a wide range of program costs starting at $700. Students may consider short-term interim programs led by UWO faculty, semester programs, Quest III programs, internships and volunteer programs.

Reinke encourages students to start planning early by attending the fair. Students will have the chance to talk to program representatives and students who have already studied abroad and select a program that is perfect for them.

UW Oshkosh also participates in the National Student Exchange, allowing students to study away in the U.S. or in Canada at more than 170 institutions.

Browse the fair

Other UW System international offices will be represented at the fair, as well as independent organizations that offer study, volunteer and intern abroad programming.

Reinke said financial aid is often available for programs.

“Study abroad provides a personal growth experience where you will enhance your intercultural skills and sharpen your ability to adapt to new situations, which are all-important on your resume,” she said. “Study abroad is typically a life-changing experience that continues to have an impact for years to come.”

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