Beginning on Monday, Sept. 18 and running through Friday, Sept. 22, Kent State University students will be able to engage with more than 15 dynamic presentations and fun activities scheduled throughout the week.
The week’s theme is “Discover Boundless Horizons: Explore, Learn and Thrive Globally!” Kent State’s Office of Global Education (OGE) invites past, current and future education abroad students – or anyone interested in Kent State’s education abroad experience - to attend any or all the week’s scheduled events. The Education Abroad Showcase is a wonderful introduction to education abroad opportunities at the university. There is truly something for everyone as they get started, according to Desiree Dube, Education Abroad advisor.
“It’s not just a line - at Kent State, we really do offer our students the world.” – Desiree Dube
“It’s not just a line - at Kent State, we really do offer our students the world. Whether you’re on a campus in Ohio or at one of our many study locations abroad, you’ll develop a true, global perspective through immersive educational opportunities and one-of-a-kind cultural experiences,” said Dube.
Walk Through Florence and Paris
The week kicks off with a dazzling, immersive display at the Blank Lab located in the DI Hub. Moving images highlight Kent State education abroad experiences in Florence and Paris. In November, the Blank Lab display will be revised to include images from Kent State’s education abroad program in Kigali, Rwanda.
The Blank Lab in the DI Hub surrounds viewers with moving images.
Kent State Florence is celebrating its 50th anniversary this year. It’s the largest American program in Florence and hosts more than 800 students annually. In 2025, Paris will become the newest international Kent State location after more than a decade of partnership with the Paris American Academy. Kent State’s Kigali Summer Institute in Rwanda began in 2017 and offers students a firsthand experience studying reconciliation and learning from survivors and perpetrators of that country’s genocide in 1994 who now live side-by-side in reconciliation villages.
Dube said, “We’re excited about all of the events happening, but our team is particularly excited for some fun, interactive ones that will be taking place. We’ve got the Blank Lab Immersive Exhibit where students can experience the feel of our Florence and Paris locations; the Experiencing Florence event where students can try gelato and speak with program alumni; and the Education Abroad Expo where students can speak with representatives from programs, get their photo taken with our backdrop and photo props, and see a photo display of past study abroad students.”
A Truly International University
In 2022, Kent State was the only U.S. university to receive the prestigious Senator Paul Simon Award for Comprehensive Internationalization recognizing a top institution’s international experience. Approximately 1,500 Kent State students study abroad each year in more than 200 programs in over 60 countries.
Students experience the world on Kent's U.S. campuses as well, studying alongside more than 1,600 international students from 100 countries around the globe. Student organizations sponsor many international-themed events throughout the year.
Kristina Bullard, assistant director of Education Abroad, said “Our dream is for every student who graduates from Kent State to have had some kind of international experience. Some students may have never even thought about studying abroad because of perceived barriers like cost, graduation requirements, or being away from a job or student organization."
"The Education Abroad Showcase is a chance for students to learn about the various types of opportunities available including short-term programs, scholarships, and other options that are attainable and fit in with their goals personally, academically, and will help them to become more well-rounded and in demand for their future careers,” said Bullard.
Showcase Week Events
The schedule of events is listed below. Full details can be found on the Education Abroad Showcase event page.
Monday, Sept. 18
The Blank Lab Education Abroad Immersive Display begins on Monday and runs all week (9 a.m.-4 p.m.)
Tuesday, Sept. 19
Biological Sciences Study Abroad Expo 5- 6:30 p.m. 2nd Floor Cunningham Hall
Wednesday, Sept. 20
International Peace Coffee Stand 9-11 a.m. Esplanade between Bowman Hall and Olson Hall
Education Abroad Expo 11 a.m.–1 p.m. 2nd Floor DI Hub
Exhibition of Student Work from the College of Architecture and Environmental Design (CAED) Florence Program Opens at 12 p.m. and runs through Friday 2nd Floor, Main Stair CAED Building
Financial Aid for Education Abroad (Virtual Presentation, MS Teams) 3-4 p.m.
Returned Peace Corps Volunteer Panel 5-6 p.m. Room 313 Bowman Hall
Theater Performance and Culture in Argentina: Spring Break Information Session 5–6 p.m. Room D206 Center for the Arts
College of Communication and Information (CCI) Explore Online Information Session (Virtual Presentation, MS Teams) 5-6 p.m.
Thursday, Sept. 21
The Price is Right: Cost-Effective International Student Exchange Programs (ISEP) 12–1 p.m. Room 203 Bowman Hall
Financial Aid for Education Abroad 1:30–2:30 p.m. Room 311 Bowman Hall
CCI Explore Open House 2:30-5:30 p.m. Taylor Hall Gallery
Spill the Tea: Education Abroad Alumni Panel Florence 5–5:45 p.m., General 6–6:45 p.m. Room 133 Bowman Hall
"Now with the world being a bustling place again, we are expanding our Education Abroad Showcase events with so many fun and informative sessions for the entire campus community to engage with education abroad." – Molly Papay
"The Education Abroad Showcase week started out of necessity when the whole world had gone virtual, so this was our way of looking forward to the days when international travel could resume," said Molly Papay, assistant director, Education Abroad. "Now with the world being a bustling place again, we are expanding our Education Abroad Showcase events with so many fun and informative sessions for the entire campus community to engage with education abroad."
Friday, Sept. 22
Study in Japan Information Session 11 a.m.–12 p.m. Room 207 Bowman Hall
Japan Education Abroad Alumni Panel 12–1 p.m. Room 218 Bowman Hall
Gilman Scholarship Writing 12:30–1:30 p.m. Room 207 Bowman Hall
