Photo by: Charles Ng – Clarion staff

The biannual Study Abroad Fair last Wednesday on Penrose Lawn offered students information on 40 different countries.

Carol Fairweather, director of the Cherrington Global Scholars Program, encouraged all students to take advantage of a study abroad opportunity. The program is a new initiative to encourage students to expand their knowledge and broaden their horizons with no additional out-of-pocket expense. Current sophomores will be the first class to take advantage of this program, although juniors can petition to study abroad next fall. Program Director George Boyd said the long-term goal is to have 60 percent of DU students participating in the program.

“The opportunity to study abroad for no more than I’m paying now is something hard to pass up,” said sophomore Kevin Bauer, who is considering going to Australia and England to further his studies in computer science.

Senior Brea Galvin studied abroad at the University of Queensland in Brisbane, Australia, last fall, and said it was the best experience of her life. Most of her tuition was covered through scholarships. She took advantage of the marine biology program, a subject DU doesn’t offer.

“Although it sounds clichCB), it was an eye-opening experience that taught me a lot about myself,” said Galvin.

Sophomore Erin Wafer came to the fair for more information. Wafer said she was considering the various service learning programs DU offers. The International Service Learning program aims to “unite academics with action.” These programs take place during summer break and interterm and are not affiliated with the Cherrington Global Scholars program.

Melissa Schaap, coordinator for the program, said service learning “moves beyond the walls of the university and immerses students in the world community.”

Various for-credit and non-credit programs are offered in locations like Nepal, Bosnia and Dharamsala. Schaap said the program has the potential to expand to Belize, South Africa and Taiwan. Although the cost of the service learning program is not covered through the Cherrington Global Scholars Program, there are scholarships and financial aid available.

The fair also featured organizations not affiliated with the university to give students even more options. Information on universities from all over the world was available. In addition, organizations that coordinate homestays in foreign countries were represented, to provide an option for overseas study and experience that DU doesn’t offer.