On Tuesday, the study abroad program held a meeting in the Booth Library basement. Students were able to gather for pizza, drinks and helpful information about what to keep in mind when considering studying abroad.

Studying abroad allows students to travel out of the country while still earning their requirements for their degree.

Heather Crank, the Study Abroad Advisor, put together a presentation to help students learn more about what they do. The main take away from Crank’s presentations was the benefits students received from studying abroad.

“The main value from studying abroad has three main components; Academic, Professional, and Personal,” Crank said.

Crank went to Costa Rica and Guatemala and in that time, she developed language skills, networks needed for a resume, critical thinking skills and a more well-rounded view of herself and the world.

She also said that everything she developed, other students can and will blossom from when studying abroad. Crank also said how she was very timid at first, but when she realized how much experience she will gain from, it was no surprise that she adapted in a nice manner.

Attending the meeting was a Morgan Ferrara, a senior business management major, and she studied abroad in Winchester.

She said that if given the chance, she would 100% go again. She spent a whole semester in England and on top of going to a partnered university trip, she played volleyball and made bonds with friends she is still in contact with.

She was a part of the EIU exchange program which allowed her to keep paying regular tuition through Eastern. Even though traveling abroad seems like a walk in the park, it can sometimes be hard to take the first step.

“I was on the fence about doing it at first,” Ferrera said. “I thought it would be scarier than it was, but I was willing and able to ask for help. I the end I am left with nothing but satisfaction with my decision to study abroad.”

The presentation added a lot of entail for students who carried interests with them. The best time to go is winter, spring, or summer break. People can go in the summer for one to eight weeks, and in the winter or spring for one to three weeks.

The program is also open to several scholarships and most people in the program receive multiple outlets of help with payment.

There are also over 100 program types, which will be advised throughout the entire process.

Participants would be among the 100-200 students who participate in the program each year and it welcomes every single major on campus.

EIU faculty-led program scholarship which allows people to study abroad for one to four weeks weeks in a group led by professors.