The University of Colorado at Boulder's Study Abroad Fair on Sept. 15 will include students returning from some countries that some Americans might think of as unsafe.
"Some of the returning students who will be at the fair studied in places some Americans might perceive as 'off-limits' -- that's not necessarily the case," said CU-Boulder Study Abroad administrator Jami Nelson-Nunez. The Study Abroad information fair will be open to students from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. in the Glenn Miller Ballroom of the University Memorial Center.
Nelson-Nunez said student interest in studying abroad is booming. The 2001 terrorist attacks on New York and Washington, D.C., have impacted where CU-Boulder students are choosing to study.
"The attacks changed our demographics a little as far as where people go," she said. "There's been a surge in interest in Egypt since Sept. 11, which is encouraging.
"Some students are finding it harder to get visas to certain countries because those countries are reciprocating the United States' more strict visa rules. Spain and Brazil are two examples. We're expecting a number of other countries to adopt stricter rules as well."
The fair is organized so that students can gather general information about CU-Boulder's 160 study abroad programs and learn about program costs, scholarship opportunities and financial aid. In addition to returning CU-Boulder students, international exchange students studying at CU-Boulder and representatives of various universities and organizations that administer CU-Boulder's overseas programs will be on hand to answer questions.
"We invite recently returned study abroad students to the fair to talk with prospective students, and they share many interesting stories along with first-hand information," Nelson-Nunez said. "Some people bring photo albums or traditional clothing from where they studied.
"It's a great opportunity to connect with students who have returned from interesting places and have had amazing experiences, as well as new international students -- many of whom are on exchange here at CU-Boulder for the year."
Nelson-Nunez said the most popular destinations for CU-Boulder students are Australia, Spain, Italy and the Semester at Sea program. The surging interest in Australia is a relatively new phenomenon, she said. "We're also seeing more students interested in going places perceived as 'off the beaten track,' " she said.
CU-Boulder Study Abroad has added new programs in Peru, Cyprus and Oman, as well as expanding existing programs in Spain and Vietnam.
The Faculty Summer Programs also have been expanded. CU-Boulder professors will lead groups of students on summer 2005 trips to Russia, Vietnam, Italy and other areas. College of Music Professor Kwasi Ampene will lead a contingent of CU-Boulder students to Ghana in June 2005 for two courses in West African drumming, music and culture. Ampene's course has been offered only twice before, and photos of previous trips can be viewed on the Study Abroad Web site at .
Application deadlines for programs vary, but some are as early as Sept. 15. For spring semester 2005, many programs have an Oct. 1 deadline. Most summer and fall 2005 programs require applications by March 1.
For more information call the Study Abroad Programs office at (303) 492-7741 or visit .