The International Education Exchange Council, an on-campus student organization aimed at bringing American and exchange students together, held a study abroad fair Wednesday. The fair gave exchange students and study abroad alumni a chance to share their experience with people interested in studying abroad.

Tables representing Australia, Korea, Italy, Spain and 12 other countries took part in the fair with approximately 80 former study abroad students and current exchange students from around the world.

The fair, took place on the walkway adjacent to Malcolm X Plaza from 12 p.m. to 2 p.m. It is an annual event that has taken place since the organization’s founding in 1994.

The recommended deadline for CSU study abroad applications for the fall of 2007 is Dec. 15 and March 1 for exchange programs between SF State and other schools.

Stephanie Hyland, a third year biology and dance major from Oakland, visited the Mexico and UK tables. She said she’s ready to travel outside the Bay Area.

“I’m just getting bored,” said Hyland who has grown up in the Bay Area her whole life.

“I want to go somewhere and learn another language and learn about people.”

The organization’s co-chair Salim Palekar said he enjoys sharing the benefits of international travel with other students at SF State.

“I’m finding it teaches you a lot about yourself,” said Palekar, who has been at SF State since the beginning of the semester by way of London. “It increases your knowledge of the world and you still learn your major.”

SF State student Laura Neli studied international relations and Spanish in Queretaro, Mexico. Part Brazilian and Peruvian, Neli felt she could relate with Mexicans before her trip but said she can relate to them better now and feels it’s a benefit with California’s large Mexican population.

“I learned a lot about Mexican culture, tradition and history,” said Neli. “I really got a taste of what Mexican life is like.”

The day’s festivities, Palekar said, included a competition among the various tables. The most enthusiastic of the groups will receive a trophy with their countries name on it.

The Germans gave out hot dogs and Japanese students in kimonos offered free sushi and to write names in Japanese.

Though no official winner had been announced the French table may have very well been the winner.

Representing with about 15 people, the girls wore blue, white and red skirts with matching ribbons. Others painted their faces and wore T-shirts with French flags painted on them. They played their own music and danced for most of the two-hour event.

Holding a cigarette in one hand and a baguette in the other, Luc Jodet of Paris said he created his outfit with help from some friends.

“We asked our American friends what the stereotypes are and made our outfits,” Jodet said. His outfit included suspenders, a tight, thinly striped shirt and a red beret.

Students were also on hand to share their experiences in San Francisco while promoting their home countries.

Tore Kristensen is from Denmark. Before beginning school, Kristensen took three years off to ride his bike around the world making 8 trips, the longest ones taking a year from China to Denmark and again from Mexico to Argentina.

This is Kristensen’s last semester of school and before graduation he wanted to study in San Francisco.

“It was my last chance to study abroad and I remember hearing they had a program over here and I wanted to come to San Francisco,” Kristensen said. “So I came.”

Students interested in studying abroad or joining the IEEC should visit the Office of International Programs in room 450 of the Administration building. There you can make an appointment to speak with advisors or former and current exchange students.

You can also visit their Web site here.

All study abroad programs students do not pay application fees just their SF State course fees. All financial aid is accepted as well.