Tables of SU Abroad alumni lined the walls of Room 304 of the Schine Student Center Wednesday for the second annual Study Abroad Day.
Joanna Glass, a junior economics and Italian major, and Johanna Tanzman, a senior chemistry and art history major, both sat at the Florence table. Tuition information, a booklet with program information and a pamphlet for advanced language courses sat atop the blue table clothes.
The two discussed travel experiences and host families with perspective students, recounting Italian friends, food and culture.
"Everyone should go abroad, because you'll never have an opportunity like that to grow and learn," Tanzman said.
Hosted by SU Abroad, the event coincided with presentations by each of the directors of the international abroad programs. The directors were each scheduled to speak for a half hour, with time allotted for students to ask questions.
SU Abroad has international campuses in Europe, Asia and South America, and is a partner with additional programs in each of the seven continents except Antarctica. The Santiago, Florence, Beijing, Madrid, London, Hong Kong and Strasbourg campuses were all included in the tabling and lectures.
"Students are looking for a more global view of the world when they apply for an international experience," said Julia Riverso, a staff member at SU Abroad.
The students and faculty representatives seated at each table lobbied for student interest in their abroad center.
"These last years have seen an increase of students coming to our Beijing and Hong-Kong programs," said Linda Braithwaite, an admissions counselor for the Hong-Kong and Beijing programs.
For students with management majors, the Chinese programs offer a chance to strengthen their resume with experience in the new market places, Braithwaite said.
"Those are major business centers and offering interesting possibilities," said Winnie Kyi, a junior finance and information and technology studies major.
Tim Hull, a sophomore in bio-process engineering, was interested in the Strasbourg, France program. He said it would be an eye-opening experience and a chance to see a very different culture.
His opinion was supported by the words of the director of the Strasbourg program, Raymond Bach.
"Strasbourg offers the possibility of seeing the world outside of the Anglo-Saxon box," Bach said.
Hull also added that the location of Strasbourg would make him able to travel throughout Europe.
"Strasbourg opens a lot of opportunities, not only because of its European role, but also because of its ideal situation in the continent," Hull said.
In addition to the established programs, SU Abroad has opened a new one in Santiago, Chile. Stella Zemlin, admissions counselor for the program, said Chile has a lot to give in terms of business, public affairs and arts and sciences.
The particularity of the Santiago classes is a complete immersion: students study at the Universidad de Chile, surrounded by Chilean students, Zemlin said.
"Chile's government worked jointly with the private businesses in the 90s to obtain a stable economy, and there are many successful examples of that," she said. "Santiago has a vast offer in every major discipline, from business to dramatic arts."
Students interested in more information on SU Abroad programs can go the program's Web site at suabroad.syr.edu.
-Lauren Bertolini contributed reporting to this story.
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