NIU is offering students an opportunity to broaden their academic and cultural horizons Tuesday by hosting the 10th-annual Study Abroad Fair.

The one-day event runs from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Holmes Student Center’s Duke Ellington Ballroom.

Several Study Abroad program representatives are expected to be in attendance in order to provide students with information about various opportunities.

“We plan to help students find a program that is suitable for them, as well as answer any questions they might have,” said Anne Seitzinger, Study Abroad Office coordinator.

Former Study Abroad participants also will be available to share their experiences with study abroad aspirants.

“I can’t wait to encourage other students to go out and learn from a different cultural perspective,” said senior communication major Amy Conners, who studied in Costa Rica during summer 2001.

Representatives also will address any myths about Study Abroad programs that students may have heard.

“Many students don’t pursue opportunities to study abroad because they think that the expense is way out of their budget,” Seitzinger said.

“What they don’t realize is that this experience is available for any student of any financial situation. We will help students find the resources needed to participate.”

Studying abroad is an excellent opportunity for students to learn more about different cultures while earning NIU credit.

“For me, this was definitely a win-win opportunity,” Conners said. “I didn’t believe them when they said that I could earn six credits while studying on the beaches of Costa Rica.”

The Study Abroad Office advises students to find an area they might be interested in before attending the fair.

“It’s always best to come to the fair with an idea of which programs you’d be most interested in,” Seitzinger said. “It’s also a good idea to prepare a few questions to ask the representatives of those programs.”

Conners thinks studying abroad can be an unforgettable and life-changing experience.

“I personally believe that all students should be required to spend at least a semester studying in a foreign country,” she said. “It’s so important for them to realize that the world is so much bigger than the cornfields of DeKalb.”

For information about the Study Abroad Fair, call the Study Abroad Office at 753-0304.