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CAFNR
study abroad fair to be held February 2 and 3 Participants who attend the fair can speak with students who have studied abroad, ask questions about the programs and pick up program brochures. Those interested in CAFNR study abroad are also welcome to attend information sessions about their program of interest in the coming weeks. An information session for the Costa Rica program will be held February 9. A session for the European programs will be held February 10. Both sessions will take place in the Agriculture Building, room 2-16 at 5:30 p.m. Although students may find the fair and information sessions helpful in finding answers for the programs, CAFNR International Studies Program Director Roy Robinson believes talking with students who have participated in the programs will help the potential study abroad students learn the most about each experience. Robinson also advises the students to make an appointment with him to discuss their interests in the programs. “The more they know (about the study abroad program), the more they will get out of the experience,” Robinson said. Jon McRoberts, a senior Fisheries and Wildlife major at MU, got the most out of his South Africa semester and Thailand summer study abroad programs by reading as much as he could about the destinations prior to studying there. “The more knowledge you have about a country before you get there, the better the opportunity to build on this knowledge,” McRoberts said. In addition to the South Africa semester and Thailand summer programs, CAFNR offers other semester programs in Costa Rica and the United Kingdom and summer programs in Costa Rica, France, Northern Ireland and the Czech Republic. There is also a winter break program in Thailand. The CAFNR International Studies Department is currently working on a new winter break program in New Zealand. Right now, the most popular study abroad destination is Costa Rica. Students have strong chances to take part in the program of their choosing. While the summer and short-term programs are more popular than the semester programs, Robinson would like more students to take advantage of the semester programs. “They (semester programs) provide more opportunities for students to interact with local people and experience the local culture,” Robinson said. Matt Stuever, a junior Agriculture Business major at MU, said the greatest benefit he received from studying abroad in France was learning about a different culture and comparing it to the American culture. “Meeting the people of France and also the people from various American universities was perhaps one of the best aspects of the whole trip,” Stuever said. “I still keep in touch with my group leaders from France and someday wish to see them again.” Robinson said that not only are the study abroad experiences fun for the students, they allow students to try new things, make new friends, discover another country and culture, acquire language skills, expand their understanding of the United States, get to know themselves more and bring the classroom to life while studying in amazing places. Robinson has also found that many employers want students with international experience. McRoberts agrees that studying abroad is essential for any student considering an internationally-based profession. “I have seen the benefits firsthand and feel it (studying abroad) is a valuable part of my resume,” he said. Students wanting to add a study abroad experience to their resumes need to plan ahead academically for the venture. Robinson said that the credit students receive for work completed during a study abroad will help them towards graduation and when looking for a job. Knowing this, students should not wait too long to decide whether or not to study abroad. “Junior year seems to have developed into a standard (for studying abroad),” McRoberts said, “but going earlier is a good idea. This way, you will have the chance to build on the study abroad trip as your college experience progresses.” Jared VerDught, senior Agricultural Systems Management and Agricultural Economics major at MU, said that his study abroad experience in the Czech Republic gave him a global perspective and allowed him to think more objectively. He said that his experience enforced his desire to work in agriculture after college. Robinson wants students interested in studying abroad to know that the programs are as cost-effective as possible, and loans and scholarships can also help cover the financial aspects of the trip. CAFNR students can find out more about trip funding, the study abroad programs, student insights and other general information on the CAFNR study abroad Web site. The online application for study abroad can also be filled out and submitted on the Web site. The deadline to apply for the Summer and Fall 2005 programs is March 1, 2005.
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