The Study Abroad Office introduces students to new opportunities at the Study Abroad Fair

On Monday, Sept. 19, the Study Abroad Fair was held in the MacVittie College Union. Now that travel is no longer restricted by the COVID-19 pandemic, students are able to explore the opportunities provided by the Study Abroad Office at SUNY Geneseo. From 11 a.m. – 2 p.m., students met with professors and office directors about the various programs available this year.

In addition to over 90 travel programs offered by Geneseo, students are also eligible to join any study abroad program offered by a SUNY school. These study programs include but are not limited to trips to Greece, Italy, Ghana, and Senegal. Several of these programs are eligible to be paid for by financial aid and are available to students in a wide variety of degree programs. 

According to Associate Director of the Study Abroad Office Emily McCrossen, the Study Abroad Office is equally as enthusiastic about lifting travel restrictions as students are to begin travelling. 

In an email statement to The Lamron, McCrossen said, “With the start of a new academic year, our goal is to stay true to the mission of the Study Abroad Office and support our students to the best extent possible to study abroad. This includes guiding students in finding an appropriate study abroad program, applying to study abroad and study abroad scholarships, and preparing them for their study abroad program.”

In light of lifted travel restrictions, the Geneseo Study Abroad Office has begun providing students with opportunities to study and travel as soon as possible. Although travel programs only began as recently as the past summer, the office has sent over 100 students abroad, and students who were able to travel said that the experiences were valuable and rewarding. 

Recent Geneseo graduate Marin Goodstein was one such student, participating in an English course at the Yeats International Summer School in Sligo, Ireland.

“Studying abroad in Ireland was such a wonderful experience,” Goodstein said. “I got to meet people from around the world with unique life experiences. Individuals of all different ages and backgrounds came together to share a love of Irish history and poetry. The Yeats Summer School really felt like a welcoming community.”

Sophomore English major Iliana Papadopoulos, a participant in the same program, echoed Goodstein’s sentiment.

“Studying abroad in Ireland was definitely [a] once-in-a-lifetime experience (unless I go back, which is very likely),” Papadopoulos said. “Not only was I able to build connections with my professor and everyone I studied with—I was able to meet a handful of amazing people in Ireland. It was super fun to be immersed in another country’s culture and overall was a great experience.”

According to McCrossen, the Study Abroad Office is committed to offering equally rewarding experiences to students this academic year. Following such success over the summer, McCrossen is confident that the office will be able to provide global education to any Geneseo student who is interested. 

“The members of the Study Abroad Office always look forward to helping each and every student in accomplishing their goal to study abroad,” she said. “We know that many students were unable to get the opportunity to study abroad previously due to the COVID-19 pandemic. We are eager to support these students who may not have had the opportunity to study abroad.”

If you were not able to attend the Study Abroad Fair, you can find more information on the Study Abroad Office and related opportunities at the Study Abroad section of the Geneseo website.