Students attended the Study Abroad Fair on Friday, which provided a learning experience for students interested in adding a global perspective to their education.

Prospective study abroad students, such as Megan Dunton, a sophomore in genetics and English, discussed their options with students who had previously studied abroad in an effort to find the most suitable destination. 

Dunton said she’s fascinated with the Middle East, and she’s interested in studying in Jordan as opposed to a more common location for college students.

“I want something different than your typical Western-European trip,” Dunton said.

N.C. State offers a program in Jordan, which is one of the many programs offered. According to the N.C. State study abroad website, students can enroll in programs in Asia, Africa, South America, the Caribbean, Central America and other locations in the Middle East, depending on their major. 

Alex Garver, a sophomore in business administration, worked the booth for the semester in Oxford program. Garver said other students should take advantage of the opportunity.

“In Oxford, I learned a lot about Shakespeare and that I shouldn’t quickly pass judgments on things based on where I’m from,” Garver said.

Erika Barrett, a junior in environmental engineering, is currently undecided but has narrowed her choices and must pick between Switzerland and Prague to finish some of her general education requirements. 

N.C. State has a lot of resources for students who haven’t come to a final decision, according to Barrett.

“The study abroad office is definitely a good resource. Everyone’s always offering to help and really pushing students to study abroad,” Barrett said.

At the Prague booth, Joe Glatstein, a junior in middle grade social studies education, was helping students such as Barrett make a decision. 

Glatstein, a former student at N.C. State’s Prague Institute, spoke about the impact that studying abroad may have on college students’ education. 

“One of the most valuable things about studying abroad is expanding your comfort zone,” Glatstein said.

Students can tailor their experience toward their personal interests and hobbies because study abroad trips often involve scheduled trips or extra time for traveling, according to Glatstein.

Glatstein also said students learn a lot about a foreign culture in their free time outside of the classroom.

Dunton said students should consider the study abroad program at N.C. State and encourages anyone interested to visit the study abroad office to start planning.

“Traveling is definitely part of a lifestyle, and I’d like to get started as quickly as possible,” Dunton said.