Many students have dreamed about exploring the world since they were children, going on daring adventures, meeting new, exciting people and learning about amazing cultures.

For students at Grand Valley State University, they have the opportunity to learn about different study abroad opportunities in the Henry Hall Atrium of the Padnos Hall of Science on Jan. 20.

From 10 a.m. until 3 p.m., students can meet fellow peers and faculty members who have participated in these study abroad programs and ask them questions about program selection, funding and other opportunities within and outside of GVSU.

“This study abroad fair focuses on and highlights the Grand Valley programs that have the Feb. 1 deadline,” said Meaghann Myers-Smith, a study abroad adviser at the Padnos International Center. “The main goal with our winter study abroad fair is kind of a last minute opportunity for us to highlight Grand Valley faculty-led programs for summer 2016, opportunities for students and Grand Valley partnership programs.”

Myers-Smith said that the winter fair has an informal tone in talking with students about the different study abroad opportunities.

She also said that it helps that the faculty and advisers at the fair and at PIC discuss the last minute details that students, faculty and staff need to cover before departing for their country of choice.

Rebecca Hambleton, the director of study abroad and international partnerships at PIC, said that the checklist that will be discussed at the winter study abroad fair helps students understand if they want to apply to a faculty-led program, look at safe places to travel and to indicate when and how to apply for a passport.

“It really depends on the program. If it is a summer program that is less than 90 days, maybe you don’t have to worry about a visa,” Hambleton said. “But if you are doing something that requires a visa, that is something really critical and need-to-know really early on in the process so that you can plan accordingly.”

Hambleton said that the main thing students should be focusing on is getting their application into the PIC as soon as possible. After being accepted, they can delve into the next steps.

While the before-and-after steps of applying may seem a bit stressful, the work that goes into the application is worthwhile.

To Hambleton, studying abroad is not just about exploring a new landscape and calling a new city home, but it is about gaining a new appreciation for life and learning.

“Whether they have a regional interest or a particular academic interest, there are so many amazing opportunities for students, no matter the discipline,” she said. “There are a lot of opportunities that I truly believe are amazing and it’s a matter for students to coming in and just learning and being open about them.”

For more information about PIC’s study abroad programs and its checklist, visit www.gvsu.edu/pic.