The Study Abroad Office sends more than 27 percent of the University’s students around the world each year to expand educational experiences. It hopes to attract more individuals to their wide options of programs at the study abroad fair held Tuesday in Room C and the South Lounge inside the Illini Union. Starting at 11 a.m., students can interact with peer advisers to learn about the educational opportunities available and most efficient ways for them to apply.

Study abroad programs may offer enough persuasion just from the peer advisers’ unique stories. The advisers are insightful and willing to answer any question and describe their personal study abroad experiences in great detail.

“I was able to bungee jump off of the second highest platform in the Southern Hemisphere,” said D.J. Callender, senior in AHS, who studied abroad at Lincoln University in Queenstown, New Zealand, during the spring semester of his junior year. 

“Queenstown is known as the mecca for outdoor pursuits, and the list of things to do there is endless — bike trails, jet boating, white water rafting, scenic helicopter tours to view the glaciers … all incredible chances.”

Fun as these activities can be, Study Abroad offers students more than just tourist trips. The programs are academic and immersion-based as opposed to extended vacations. Peer advisers emphasize that those who travel are there to engage with a different community.

Tara McGovern, senior in LAS, observed the environmental consciousness in Quito, the capital of Ecuador, when she travelled there for a semester of her junior year. She said ecotourism was popular in forest areas throughout Ecuador.

“They have a rain forest in their backyard, and their economy depends on the oil that they export from the forests,” McGovern said. “Ecuador is the only country that gives constitutional rights to Mother Nature, and it was interesting to see elite business types cooperate with indigenous people, who both want to preserve their environments. It was very strange, for me at least, to see those groups be politically aligned and share similar goals.”

Academic focus is an integral part of studying abroad so students can find the most favorable areas to follow their passions and interests. 

“Being a recreation, sport and tourism major, Queensland was a great place to be for the specific courses I was able to take and the outdoor activities intrinsic to the area,” Callender said. 

He also mentioned that students can take on an outsider’s perspective as foreigners.

“Generally, back at Illinois, you’re an American student participating with just about all American students learning about things in America. In New Zealand, I took courses through a different lens with new information,” he said. “Before New Zealand, I never had that different, particular sense of perspective in class.”

Learning experiences also exist beyond the walls of the University while studying abroad. McGovern lived with a host family during her four months in Quito who did not speak English, and communicating with them provided a sharp learning curve.

McGovern said learning a native language is not best done in a classroom. 

“You do that by actually interacting with people and putting it to useful practice,” she said.

Eye-openers were plenty for the two advisers while abroad, and not without noticing prejudices of their own. They now have friends around the world they regularly talk to. They were forthright about the benefits studying abroad can offer the future careers of students.

“I think it can only help your chances no matter what your future endeavors are,” Callender said. “If I go to a potential employer and include my experience in New Zealand, there’s not only a good chance I’m the only candidate who’s done that, but it’s also unique in the sense that I can then pay forward my experiences.”

Life after college remains uncertain for both Callender and McGovern. However, along with other students who have gone abroad, their travels have helped them develop a sense of ease and confidence.

“It’s not so much as cementing the future as having a positive outlook to what’s ahead,” said Ruchi Tekriwal, junior in LAS, who went to Morocco last fall. “I’m very glad that time away gave me a new perspective.”

Tekriwal and McGovern said they originally planned to go into academia right after finishing their undergraduate years at the University but now want to explore other options before graduate school.

All peer advisers recommend that students who want to travel during their college years should start planning with the Study Abroad Office as soon as possible so operations can run smoothly. Even with extensive research and preparations, they say it is crucial for students to enter their travels with no expectations.

“My word of advice is to just dive in,” McGovern said. “Stay open-minded and do as much as you can with the most freedom you’ll probably ever have. There won’t be anything else in your life like it.”

Adlai can be reached at [email protected].