Announcements 

ALERT! If you are planning to travel abroad, be aware that the U.S. Department of State is experiencing very large backlogs and delays with processing passports. We have heard that it is taking several months to receive passports. Please plan to apply for your passport as soon as you think that you may be traveling abroad, and keep in mind that if you require a visa this will take additional weeks after you receive your passport.

13th Annual Study Abroad Fair

Tuesday, October 14, 2008
10 AM - 3PM, Student Center Ballroom


Can't decide between Argentina, Australia, or Azerbaijan? Come and meet with representatives from over 60 international programs, including world-wide study, internship, work, and travel opportunities. Learn about scholarships and other forms of financial aid. Come discover how far your education can take you!

Exhibitors: Please download registration form:

• Georgia State University Study Abroad Fair Registration Form

Please type in all fields. Print hard copy to be mailed to Study Abroad Programs Office along with registration fee (if necessary) by September 19, 2008. Georgia State University programs can fax or e-mail registration. All others must be mailed with registration fee. Space is limited, so please register early. Table is only guaranteed after receipt of e-mail confirmation from our office. Registration accepted on an invitation-only basis until after deadline.

Two U.S. Student Fulbright Awards for 2007-2008

The Office of International Affairs is pleased to announce that two Georgia State University students have been awarded U.S. Student Fulbright Program grants for the academic year 2007-2008. Congratulations to Ms. Lori Fredricks, a Language and Literacy graduate student in the College of Education, who received a Fulbright grant to Tajikistan. Congratulations also to Ms. Lindsey Stephenson, a Political Science undergraduate (May 2007), who received a Critical Language Scholarship to Syria and a Student Fulbright grant to Kuwait.

For more information about the U.S. Student Fulbright Program, please contact Leigh Walker, Campus Fulbright Advisor, at leighwalker@gsu.edu or 404-413-2529. You may also visit our website for additional information at http://www2.gsu.edu/~wwwoia/StudyAbroad/funding.html

The campus deadline for the 2008-2009 competition is October 6, 2008.

International Day at the Commons

Tuesday, March 25, 2008, 3-7pm
University Commons Residence Halls

Please join us for the First Annual Celebration of International Day at the Commons, a day to learn about and celebrate other cultures and expand international education beyond the classrooms at Georgia State. Highlights include: Bag Piper Performance, Study Abroad Student Panel, Salsa Demonstration, Capoeira demonstration by Grupo Maculele, international trivia games, and International Cuisines.

Broadening Horizons Meet & Greet

April 10, 2008, 12-1pm
Sinclair Suite in the Student Center

This is a fun opportunity for Broadening Horizons mentees, mentors, and any other minority students interested in study abroad to hang out, meet new friends, and discuss study abroad. There will be an informal panel of returned study abroad students to speak about their experiences and answer questions. If you’ve studied abroad, be sure to bring your pictures to show others. If you haven’t studied abroad, be sure to bring your questions. And, you don’t want to miss out on the free food, so we’ll see you there

International Education Fee (IEF) Study Abroad Programs Scholarship
Award: A minimum of between $250 - $1000

Eligibility: Available to Georgia State University Students enrolled in degree or certificate programs who will be earning credit for an experience abroad. Minimum GPA is 2.8 for undergraduates, and 3.2 for graduates. For law students, the minimum score is 73. Preference is given for the following: academic merit, longer programs, HOPE scholars, financial need, strong essays, under-represented countries, under-represented fields of study, and students with little or no international experience.  Students who apply for the IEF Scholarship are also automatically considered for the Georgia State University Foundation Study Abroad Scholarship. Recipients would be selected based upon high ratings in the IEF review process.

Click on the following Microsoft logo to access the competition information, instruction and application.

"How to Afford Study Abroad" Workshop

Topics dicussed at this workshop include:
• How to seek corporate sponsorship
• How the Office of Financial Aid can help
• Techniques for creating a strong application
• How other students have made it work for them

Tuesday, November 18, 2008
12:00 pm - 2:00 pm
Student Center Ballroom
Senate Salon

Broadening Horizons: Minority Students and Study Abroad Panel Discussion

Featuring a panel discussion by Georgia State University study abroad minority students, with questions and answers to follow.

Thursday, November 20, 2008
12:00 pm - 1:30 pm
Speaker's Auditorium
Free and open to all faculty, staff, students, and friends.

Come join us for this very important discussion! We will explore the reasons why and find ways to ensure that the demographic of study abroad students more closely mirrors the broad mosaic of students that are currently studying at Georgia State University. Some of the topics that will be addressed include initial hesitations about studying abroad, such as financial, major-related, lack of family support, and uncertainty about how minority students may be perceived in other parts of the world.

Crossing Paths, Crossing Cultures International Photo Competition & Ceremony

ANNOUNCEMENT FOR 2008: The Crossing Paths, Crossing Cultures International Photo Competition & Ceremony will sadly be taking a hiatus during 2008. Please hold onto all of fabulous pictures, though, and plan to enter into competition into the competition in 2009.

This annual competition, ceremony, and exhibit seeks to bring together the cross-cultural expereinces of our study abroad students and our international students studying at Georgia State University. Study Abroad students enter photos from their time abroad, while International students at GSU enter photos that they have taken of life in the U.S. The competition takes place in October and the winners are announced in November during International Education Week. Prizes are awarded, and guests enjoy live entertainment, food, and a fantastic photo exhibit.

• To view the 2007 exhibit click the following link: 2007 CROSSING PATHS CROSSING CULTURES INTERNATIONAL PHOTO EXHIBIT
  
  Thank you to our 2007 sponsors!
  
  AirTran Airways
  Andrew Young School of Policy Studies
  Best way Copy & Printing
  College of Arts & Sciences
  College of Education
  College of Heath & Human Sciences
  College of Law
  Georgia State University Student Activity Fees
  Dean of Students Office
  ISAC (International Student Association Council)
  Office of Student Life & Leadership, Intercultural Relations
  Phi Beta Delta
  Robinson College of Business
  STA Travel
  T.W. Lord & Associates
  Trinity Fitness