Many students may be interested in studying abroad but feel lost on how to begin the process. For those students, the study abroad office is hosting a fair from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. today in the University Ballroom of the Martin Luther King Jr. University Union to help clarify their options.

Here, they will be able to talk to faculty members as well as students to help them become more informed on study abroad options. Lisa Brown, study abroad coordinator, said the fair will explain many different types of programs.

“The programs span over six continents,” she said. “They are generally between one to six weeks in length and vary in time and credit hours.”

Some popular programs from last year are available again this year, such as “Intercultural Communication and Co-Cultural Experiences” in Australia and New Zealand and “Food, Wine and Fashion of Italy.”

Many new programs are also being offered this year, such as “Gods, Sultans and Pharaohs”, which travels to Greece, Egypt and Turkey, and “The Mediterranean Diet”, which travels to Italy.

If students are interested in visiting a country that is not offered in a program, Wendy Williamson, director for the Office of Study Abroad, said they can create their own trip.

“(Eastern) offers students the ability to customize their own program abroad, or go through other programs they find that may not be on this list.”

Brown said students have already expressed a greater interest in study abroad this school year.

“In general, the (study abroad) trend has been going up,” she said. “Our advisement appointments have been up 30 percent, and we’ve had more interest in people inquiring about trips.”

Williamson agreed.

“Our advising appointments have been higher than in previous years,” she said. “Students are coming in earlier, like their freshmen year to start planning for study abroad.”

Brown said she hopes the fair will help answer all the questions students have at one place.

“We hope the fair will be a one-stop shop where students can see each program visually, talk to the faculty directors and get their questions answered.”

Williamson hopes the fair will help students finalize their choices.

“(The fair) will certainly give students a better idea of the possibilities for study abroad, and give them a big boost in finding the right fit.”

For those students unable to attend the fair, there are still steps they can take.

Brown said students can visit www.eiu.edu/edabroad, where all of the programs are listed. She also added that the Study Abroad office is always willing to work with students in figuring out their trip plans.

“If (students) are feeling overwhelmed, they can give us a call. We are happy to make an appointment to discuss their different options,” she said. “We’re good at matching programs to their needs.”

The deadline for the summer faculty-led programs is Feb. 2. The deadline for all other programs is March 1.

Sara Hall can be reached at 581-2812 or smhall@eiu.edu