An informational event will highlight two possible options for studying abroad today: a trip to New Zealand and Australia and the trip to Harlaxton University.

The informational event about Australia and New Zealand will be led by Mark Borzi, chair of the communication studies department. This trip will take place this summer from June 1 to July 5. Borzi said this will be the second year that undergraduate students have taken this trip. He hopes to slightly increase the number of students.

“Last year, we had a total of ten people (go). This year, we are hoping to get about 16 students,” he said.

Most students choosing this option major in communication studies, but Borzi said the trip is open to any major.

Borzi said there are many perks of this particular trip. He stressed the safety of the trip.

“One of the big selling points is the security of the trip,” he said. “Because it is faculty led, (the students) have someone to rely upon.”

Another positive point of this trip is the increased opportunity to meet new people. Borzi said students often make friends outside of the Eastern group throughout their trip.

“The students stay in hostels, so the are involved in communal living,” he said. “They meet people from all over the world and interact with them. They develop and maintain friendships with people all over the world.”

Sara Boro, a communications studies major, went on this trip last summer. She said she really enjoyed her study abroad experience.

“I absolutely loved the trip. We got to see so many different places and have so many different experiences in such a short amount of time,” she said. “I couldn’t have asked for more.”

Boro said New Zealand had an especially relaxed atmosphere.

“Here in the United States, I feel like I need to be doing something 100 percent of the time and I am constantly busy,” she said. “I really enjoyed the slower pace of living when I was in New Zealand. I would never have had that experience if I just stayed in Charleston over the summer.”

Another option available to students is the chance to study in England at Harlaxton University. This trip will take place from May 31 until July 2.

Richard Sylvia, an English professor, said the trip is especially popular with students studying English, but others are also welcome to attend.

“The trip attracts mostly English majors,” he said. “We visit some of the places where the greatest writers in England were; there’s nothing better than that for English majors, but it’s not restricted to that. Other students (just) have an interest in England and the United Kingdom.”

Sylvia said students take a six credit hour course called ‘English Literary Landscapes’.

“During this course we read (the works of) some of England’s most renowned writers and travel to the landscape to where the book is set,” he said.

Like the Australia and New Zealand trip, this trip is a smaller. Sylvia estimated that the number of students attending the trip will be around 20.

Such a small number is helpful when the group travels to other parts of Europe.

Sylvia said students meet in class two to three days a week, but then travel to other parts of Europe on the weekends.

“Every weekend is a three-day weekend, so students can travel on their own during those times,” Sylvia said.

He cites Ireland, Scotland, France, Italy and Belgium as just a few of the places students have visited.

“It depends on the group and where their interest lie,” he said. “It’s a wonderful opportunity to see England and other places in Europe.”

Sylvia suggested that this particular trip might be a great starting trip for those looking for a trip that’s somewhat familiar to the United States.

“It’s a great opportunity to get out of the states and get into a country that’s different yet the same,” he said.

Although each program has its own benefits, both professors emphasized the advantages of studying abroad in any country.

“Any study abroad experience expands (students’) horizons and world view,” Borzi said. “They begin to see things in a different light and get a better perspective on life.”

Sylvia agreed.

“All study abroad is worthwhile. Any time (students) get out of the USA, they learn something,” he said.

Sara Hall can be reached at 581-7942 or small3@eiu.edu