The Office of International Education and Development will begin Education Abroad information sessions, starting on Jan. 26 in Perry-Paige.
Monday’s session will introduce of a series of sessions set to continue until Jan. 29. These sessions include the Introduction to Education Abroad and the U.S. Student Fulbright Program.
All FAMU students of any discipline with a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.5 or better are eligible for Education Abroad opportunities.
Students and faculty can participate in programs that involve service, study, research, internships and teaching in countries such as China, the Dominican Republic and Brazil.
Participants can benefit from the educational and professional opportunities that studying abroad may present.
Sharon Henderson, an OIED Assistant, said the sessions can provide professional development.
“Studying abroad does enhance your career in shaping your abilities to ensure that you are chosen for a good job,” Henderson said. “To me it is like a stock market, it ups your ability to be prepared in dealing with various cultures and people, and conducting yourself in a businesslike manner.”
FAMU is also a part of the College Consortium for International Studies. The CCIS is an accredited partnership between U.S. colleges and universities and foreign academic institutions.
Students and faculty who travel abroad will subject themselves to new cultures, and experiences while expanding their knowledge and understanding of their traveling country and area of study.
Micheal Thurston, the Diplomat in Residence at the FAMU, said studying abroad provides immense benefits for individuals.
“I think it is one of the greatest things you can do for yourself personally,” Thurston said. “It gives you access to a different culture and a different way of thinking.”
During the information sessions, participants will be able to make an appointment to meet with Karen Mitchell, the Education Abroad Program Coordinator, to select a program and area of study, discuss scholarship and financial aid opportunities, obtain necessary travel information and make travel arrangements.
Antara Issac, a second-year accounting major from Miami, Fla., advised that students visit more information sessions.
“I would definitely advise students to check out the information sessions to get more information and better understanding about studying abroad, and to see if is something that they are truly interested in,” Issac said.
The introductory information session will be held Mon., Jan. 26 in the Perry-Paige Building. Intro to Education Abroad sessions will be held Tuesdays and Thursdays from 12 to 1:30 p.m. and 4 to 4:50 p.m. U.S. Student Fulbright Q&A sessions will be held Wednesdays from 1 to 1:50 p.m.