This Thursday, Oct. 1, applications for Study Abroad opportunities open for interested students and are due Dec. 1.
Jessica Zied, the student advisor for Study Abroad, explained that students interested in these opportunities must first participate in mandatory “First Steps Information Sessions,” which consist of meetings that allow students to better understand the application process and plan for studying outside of the Fairfield University campus.
These sessions will take place every weekday throughout the duration of the application window: Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 10 a.m. and Thursdays from 11 a.m. to noon. They will be held in the Global Fairfield office, located on the ground floor of the DiMenna-Nyselius Library, or another selected location. Zeid suggests keeping an eye on the Global Fairfield website for updates on locations and various events that “…make the office accessible to students in a way to really support them.”
After this prerequisite is completed, students may begin the application process on the Global Fairfield platform, inside my.fairfield.edu, or schedule one-to-one appointments with any member of the staff to discuss their specific interests.
When thinking about the right time to consider studying abroad, “…there is no right or wrong answer; there is no right or wrong time,” Zeid said, but mentioned that there are specifications depending on what a student wants to do. The programs offered by Global Fairfield are divided into two: a semester (even year-long) program or a partnership/short-term program.
For the semester-long program, students must apply during their sophomore year so they can enjoy the full opportunity during their junior year. This means that by the end of their first year, students should start thinking about this experience, especially by looking at the courses offered in their programs of interest and how they translate back to their program of study at Fairfield University. Students can do this by consulting the “Database of Approved Courses,” found within each program of study in the “Program Search” tab on studyabroad.fairfield.edu. For the second opportunity, students can apply during any academic year, with terms available during winter, summer and spring break.
With more than 50 programs in over 25 cities across more than 25 countries, Fairfield University allows its students to study anywhere in the world. This is something that Zeid wants future Study Abroad participants to understand. “Students definitely want to go to Europe, but I want them to understand more about world travel,” she expressed. All programs, majors or minors, have Study Abroad opportunities in Latin America, Africa, Asia and Oceania. She believes these are places students should explore more for the experiences and opportunities they offer.
“While I am sad that I am not at Fairfield for the semester, I am loving Madrid so far,” affirmed Aydee Cruz, a junior majoring in Politics, International Studies and Spanish who is currently studying in Spain for this fall semester. Cruz expressed that studying abroad has allowed her to expand her knowledge about foreign policy, culture and countries, which are topics pertinent to her field of study. She also mentioned that Global Fairfield does a great job preparing students for studying abroad, especially by providing a smooth application process and supporting important tasks, such as applying for a visa on time.
Even though Cruz was hesitant about studying abroad, “…[she] knew if [she] didn’t go, [she] would regret it.” After spending a considerable time abroad, Cruz recognizes that “…being able to study abroad marks a person’s life. I am embracing the uncomfortability by going outside my comfort zone and embracing a side of me that I didn’t know I was capable of being.” Because of this, Cruz recommends that students take advantage of this opportunity by attending information sessions, talking to students who have already gone through this process, and discussing with their academic advisor whether studying abroad is the best next step for them.
For those interested in being part of this process, they are encouraged to participate in the First Steps Information Sessions or to contact [email protected] for more information.
