From red dirt roads in Tanzania to red telephone booths in London to the endangered red coral rocks along Australia’s gold coast, Grand Valley State University students have had the chance to see it all. GVSU offers a broad variety of study abroad programs for students to make the most of their educational experience while also gaining a global perspective.

The Padnos International Center (PIC) will hold its annual study abroad fair Wednesday, Oct. 11, from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. This event will take place in the Kirkhof Center Grand River Room and will feature the plentiful study abroad programs and internship options for students in every major and minor, ranging from two weeks to a full year abroad. 

Students can browse through numerous tables showcasing different study abroad programs. The tables will be operated by GVSU faculty and non-GVSU study abroad providers who will be ready and willing to answer questions. There will also be international students from partner universities and former study abroad students who are excited to share their experience with others. 

In addition, this event is LIB 100-approved and will have a variety of free snacks and raffle prize drawings. 

“Study abroad is an incredible experience to have as a college student,” said Alissa Lane, study abroad outreach coordinator at GVSU. “You get to see the world, experience another culture, build confidence in yourself and make friends from around the world. These experiences help make students more thoughtful, engaged global citizens.”

Lane highly recommends that any student even slightly interested in study abroad attend the fair. The faculty, staff and students at this fair will offer a wide range of knowledge and advice. 

“It’s a great way for students to see if a particular program would be a good fit for them,” Lane said.

Francesca Bosi, study abroad peer adviser at GVSU, is one of these students who is equipped to guide her peers through the study abroad process. Bosi, along with the other study abroad peer advisers in the PIC, offers free counseling to students who are navigating any stage of the study abroad process. 

Bosi is trained to understand the student’s personal and career goals, show students how the study abroad process works, assist them through choosing a program that best fits their needs, guide them through budgeting and financing, and mentor them while they are located abroad. 

Bosi studied abroad twice and said the experience “sets you apart from others like you in the workforce, and it allows you to discover yourself by being away from people’s expectations of you.”

Bosi is a true advocate for going abroad as a college student. 

“An international understanding is, I would say, essential in the world we live in today,” she said. “Students should take the time now. … It becomes a challenge to take six months off your job, your family and your life in general once you start building one and developing roots in one place. 

“So if not now, then when?”

For more information about the study abroad fair, students can email [email protected] or call 616-331-3898. Students can also follow LakersAbroad on Snapchat, or GVabroad on Instagram to follow their peers on exciting international adventures.