The Study Abroad program is hosting a virtual fair from Sept. 14 to 18 with the purpose of allowing students to learn about the program, financial aid, and much more.
“In addition to our wish that students begin planning for their future education abroad experiences, this fair is a way to demonstrate that Education Abroad is still an option for students despite the current uncertainty of the world,” said Education Abroad Advisor Kaitlyn Emerson.
Each day of the week there will be a theme and a schedule for individuals to follow as they please. There will also be time after each event for questions from the public said the Director of Education Abroad Shelley Jewell.
Monday is “Major and Money Monday” with the purpose of discussing different options for all majors and the many ways a student can pay for their education abroad. Tuesday is “Talk About Exchanges Tuesday” with the purpose of learning the traditional international exchange options. Wednesday is “Where in the World Wednesday” with the purpose to learn about the many programs. Thursday is “Beyond the Classroom Thursday” with the purpose of sharing the internship, service-learning and research opportunities available abroad. Friday is “Faculty-Directed Friday” with the purpose of sharing what classes UW faculty will be teaching abroad during the January term and summer of 2021.
A more in depth schedule of the event throughout the week can be found here.
Jewell said she expects the normal questions concerning program options, the application process, costs and scholarships but is also sure this year there will be questions related to COVID-19 and the likelihood of study abroad programs canceling.
Jewell said that UW continues to monitor the situation concerning COVID-19 due to the health and safety risks it poses. There are countries who have closed off travel from Americans as well as other countries but Jewell said UW frequently updates themselves on travel restrictions and advisories for countries they have planned programs in.
“We remain optimistic about the ability to offer study abroad programs next spring and are encouraging students to continue exploring options now,” said Jewell. “In the event that study abroad for spring 2021 is restricted, we will convey any decisions with as much advance notice as possible.”
Jewell said they will make a decision concerning the January Faculty-Directed Program on Nov. 1 after taking into consideration advice from the CDC, the US Department of State, the Overseas Security Advisory Council and the World Health Organization.
“We hope that students can get excited and begin planning for an education abroad experience,” said Jewell. “We want students to see all the opportunities available to them, find out ways to pay for these experiences and hear why participating in a program is such an important part of their college career that it will help them with their future plans.”
Audrey Whitman, a sophomore from Montana majoring in Kinesiology, has been planning to study abroad in New Zealand or Australia in the spring 2022 semester. She said she is hoping that COVID-19 won’t be an issue by then. If she were to be studying abroad this coming spring semester, she said she would have many COVID related questions for the Study Abroad department.
“I actually was always planning on the spring of 2022 thankfully,” said Whitman. “I feel very bad for the ones who had to switch up their plans or come back home early. This is something I’ve always wanted to do though so I am not going to let the thought of “I hope something like COVID doesn’t happen again…” until it actually does or if circumstances haven’t changed.”
