SF State's Office of International Programs hosted one of two annual study/work abroad fairs this afternoon at Malcolm X Plaza, in an effort to encourage students to study, work and travel abroad.

A number of enthusiastic students mingled with recruiters from more than 40 off-campus organizations and exchange students from overseas, who were on hand to discuss their experiences as exchange students.

“I think this is a great opportunity for us to encourage all the SF State students to become familiar with international issues and international experiences through the fair,” said My Yarabinec, the coordinator of the Study Abroad and International Exchange Program. “It highlights the importance of the international education and experience in today’s modern world.”

Students have a wide range of opportunities to get ideas of what is available to them by talking to recruiters from different organizations outside the campus, Yarabinec noted.

Through the California State University International Programs and the SF State Bilateral Exchange Program, students have a selection of 21 different countries to study abroad in. Students can get the same number of credits and pay the same tuition fee amout as they do at SF State, according to Marisa Thigpen, an International Exchange Programs advisor.

“I think it’s good to keep the options open,” said Kelly Persson, a junior criminal justice and psychology major, who said she is interested in studying abroad in a European country. “I think it’s good to get a new perspective outside the country.”

The International Education Exchange Council, one of the largest student clubs on campus, helped organize the event. Along with exchange students from overseas, students who have gone to study abroad programs in other countries volunteered to share their experiences and provide information about the program to interested students at the event.

“My study abroad program gave me the opportunity to experience the history and culture of England for my own personal life,” said Nicole Winzey, a senior product design major. “I liked the amount of diversity in the school and the country and being able to see all the things I read from a book.” Winzey studied in England for a year and currently works at the OIP, publicizing the program through classroom presentations.

The Peace Corps was one of the organizations at the fair and their information table was filled with students asking for information on how to qualify or how they could apply the program to their long-term career plans. The Peace Corps, who comes to campus almost every week, has been working closely with the OIP, according to Thigpen. Two OIP faculty members volunteered with the Peace Corps in the past. They said the program would give the students practical experiences and possibilities in their career decisions. Many students found international career opportunities after participating in the Peace Corps.

“SF State is a very Peace Corps friendly campus,” said Scott Webb, a San Francisco regional recruiter for the Peace Corps and an SF State alumni who graduated last spring with a master's degree in international relations. “SF State is one of the top 10 schools of all time in the country to send students as Peace Corps volunteers. There are a lot of students interested in international services and development.”

On Wednesday Oct. 19, the IEEC will host a study abroad fair at Malcolm X Plaza, creating another opportunity, for students to receive information about the study abroad programs. A number of international students will also be on hand to introduce their home countries and universities.