The Rinker Center at Ball State will be offering a study abroad and passport fair Wednesday in The Atrium from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m.
The Study Abroad office in the Rinker Center organizes the fair annually.
The office offers 300 international programs.
Kelly Kirkwood, Assistant Director of Study Abroad, said their goal in having the fair is to introduce different types of programs to students, since many have never considered studying abroad before.
"We have had the fair for over 30 years, [and] for the past five years we have had the fair twice a year," Kirkwood said, "We typically see 300 to 400 students."
Rajib Sanyal, Dean of the Miller College of Business, said the international business program encourages students to study abroad.
"Students should take advantage of travelling internationally," Sanyal said. "We support students who go abroad, and we also find some funds to help them travel."
Senior English literature major Tricia Johnson, said for many students who have not experienced studying abroad, it would be a great learning and growth experience.
"I spent six week in Worcester England during the summer. We took classes and trips and learned about different cultures," Johnson said.
For Johnson one of the difficult things while studying abroad was experiencing culture shock.
"You have to adapt and learn the different languages, you have to learn to adjust to things and be respectful of other cultures," Johnson said.
Junior fashion merchandise major Kyle Williams said the study abroad fair creates learning opportunities for students.
"It opens your eyes to the world. My mom always told me the more you travel, the more of a better person you will become, so I think it is a beautiful thing," Williams said.
Sanyal said it is hard to imagine a university today not offering study abroad programs.
"Ball State offers programs to travel to different part of the world and many of these have a specific focus, which is good for students who are in a particular major," Sanyal said.
Kirkwood said that at the fair students will be also able to get their passport photo taken and fill out a passport application. They must present evidence of citizenship and identity.
For more detailed information on how to apply for a passport can be found online at travel.state.gov/passport/get/get_4855.html, and to learn more about the study abroad program visit studyabroad.bsu.edu.
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