I HEART Travel Week Expo Flies Students Out of Their Comfort Zone

Kent State University offers over 200 programs in over 60 countries through the Office of Global Education. Study away and abroad are opportunities available to all Kent State students to expand their cultural views while working toward their degree.

Kent State’s annual I HEART Travel Week started on Feb. 13, 2023, to educate students on the many programs and opportunities offered. One major highlight was the Education Abroad Expo in the DI Hub second floor lobby on Feb. 14, 2023. The Valentine’s Day-themed expo made it easy for students to discover, explore and fall in love with the many study abroad options available through Kent State.

I HEART Travel Week Booths

The busy lobby had 15 booths lined up against the walls so students were able to filter in and out to learn more about the many programs offered.

The first 50 students at the event were able to pick up a paper suitcase containing international candy and a golden ticket for a free T-shirt, hat, education abroad application fee waiver and other education abroad-themed items. 

One of the booths included Student Accessibility Services to educate students on how their accommodations would transfer over during their trip abroad. Student financial aid was also represented, to demonstrate to students how their aid could transfer over during the summer or fall 2023 session of education abroad.

I HEART Travel Week Expo TableProgram-specific booths included the College of Arts and Sciences; the College of Architecture and Environmental Design; the Ambassador Crawford College of Business and Entrepreneurship; the College of Education, Health and Human Services; and the College of Nursing. Each booth showed students how their unique degree requirements can be maintained even while studying away.

“I think it's important to grow multicultural awareness and competence for the professional world,” Federica Gardner, special assistant for the College of Architecture and Environmental Design, said. “Studying abroad is a great way to discover not only who you are, but how others are different from us.” 

Each booth offered a plethora of pamphlets detailing program requirements and options. The booths were lined with decorations and candies, and representatives were available to answer any questions. 

Also located in the DI Hub during I HEART Travel week was the “Immersive Exhibit” located in the Blank Lab. The exhibit continuously ran the whole week to give students ample time to make a visit. The experience allowed students to be transported to multiple different countries as they were able to hear and see what it would be like if they were to study abroad. 

“I was born and raised in Italy before coming to Kent State for my master's degree in education,” Gardner said. “I have learned so much about myself studying here, so that’s why I hope other students take the opportunity to learn more about education abroad since it is such a wonderful experience.” 

For more information about education abroad, please visit www.kent.edu/EducationAbroad.

Please visit Choose Your Destination for Studying Abroad During “I Heart Travel Week” for more information about what happened during the exciting week.

POSTED: Monday, February 27, 2023 10:16 AM
Updated: Monday, February 27, 2023 01:02 PM
WRITTEN BY:
Taylor Haydu, Flash Communications