Want to see the world and broaden your horizons? Eastern Michigan University to showcase many opportunities at annual Study Abroad Fair on Oct. 1

A globe held up by many hands

YPSILANTI – Eastern Michigan University students can learn about the many opportunities to experience a foreign country and learn its distinct culture and language at the annual Study Aboard Fair, to be held in the Student Center from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Tuesday, Oct. 1.

At the fair, students can learn about all the upcoming faculty-led and semester/year programs, and meet past students and faculty who have participated in programs. In addition, there will be a drawing for $500 towards an EMU Study Abroad program.

The University has programs to fit a wide variety of budgets, and many students win nationally competitive scholarships, making Study Abroad even more advantageous. All EMU financial aid and scholarship recipients can apply for the Study Abroad programs.

Examples abound of Eastern students benefitting and flourishing on their study abroad experience.

A great experience in Spain

Eastern senior Alaya Hicks participated in Eastern’s intensive Spanish Study Abroad Program this past summer.

Those stories include Eastern senior Alaya Hicks, who participated in Eastern’s intensive Spanish Study Abroad Program this past summer. The program offered a vivid experience that pulled Hicks out of her comfort zone while providing a rich sense of Spain’s language, culture and family life.

The program ran from May through June, a month and a half in Avila, Spain. Hicks, who earned a prestigious Benjamin Gilman National scholarship from the State Department to help pay for the program, stayed with a host family and attended classes at the University of Salamanca.

Hicks, a senior nursing major with a minor in Spanish, is excited to now use her expertise in helping patients, noting it’s the second most spoken native language in the world.

“I wanted to take on that boundary,” Hicks says. “Languages are expanding in the world and play a part in our everyday culture. Also, many jobs are looking for people with bilingual skills. It helps you see the world in another way. There are a lot of Hispanics in our country, and you come across many patients who don’t speak English. I just want to be there to help.”

Setting an inspiring example

The study abroad experience is required for Spanish majors at Eastern, but Hicks took up the study abroad and scholarship quest on her own.

The program included myriad cultural immersions, sights and experiences. Now, Hicks is excited about the kind of example and inspiration her experience might offer other students who face challenges in getting their education.

“As an African American woman and also the first person in my family to go to college and to study abroad in another country, I hope that I can encourage and teach students that they are worthy of anything and have more potential to succeed in following their dreams; that the sky’s the limit and to never be afraid to challenge themselves,” Hicks said of her experience.

For further information, see the Study Abroad website, or check out the Facebook page. You can also call 734.487.2424 or email programs.abroad@emich.edu.

About Eastern Michigan University

Founded in 1849, Eastern is the second oldest public university in Michigan. It currently serves more than 18,000 students pursuing undergraduate, graduate, specialist, doctoral and certificate degrees in the arts, sciences and professions. In all, more than 300 majors, minors and concentrations are delivered through the University's Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Education; Engineering and Technology; Health and Human Services; and, its graduate school. EMU is regularly recognized by national publications for its excellence, diversity, and commitment to applied education. For more information about Eastern Michigan University, visit the University's website.

September 18, 2019

Written by:
Geoff Larcom

Media Contact:
Geoff Larcom
glarcom@emich.edu
734-487-4400