Cleveland State University's Center for International Services and Programs (CISP) hosted an Education Away Fair in the Student Center Atrium on Thursday, highlighting off-campus academic programs for students interested in studying or interning outside the university – both nationally and abroad.

The fair featured informational tables staffed by program alumni and third-party representatives offering insight into a variety of travel-based learning experiences.

Sabrina Bareck, a sophomore biology major, was one of many students exploring potential study abroad opportunities. 

“I'm open to all the destinations, but I like Australia, Spain and other warmer places. I’m a biology major and want to do wildlife biology,” Bareck said. “So, anywhere with animal diversity is a program I am open to.”

Although CISP sponsored the event, the Education Away office operates separately and oversees off-campus academic programs at CSU.
 

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Ruthie Sasso, graduate assistant for Education Away, described the program as an “umbrella term” encompassing a range of off-campus academic opportunities.

Through CSU, Education Away offers faculty-led trips, international exchange programs and National Student Exchange opportunities. 

“Education Away is more than studying abroad,” Sasso said. “We help students go abroad if they would like to do a traditional program at a university in another country, but we also have faculty-led programs, which are shorter, more concentrated trips that coincide with a CSU class here on campus where students can travel with their professor and classmates.”

Sasso said there is no single destination that tends to be most popular among students, as each student’s plan is curated for their academic needs, career goals and personal interests.

“We don't have a list of places that a student can go, and that is because when we talk to students, they come in with a goal,” Sasso said. “Sometimes that goal is a very specific destination, and then we help them find a university in that destination, or sometimes a student comes and they say ‘it doesn't really matter where I go,’ but I need to fulfill these very specific requirements for my major.” 

For Bareck, that goal is personal and professional growth.

“A study abroad goal would be to get a lot of experience for a future career,” Bareck said. “I would expect to grow a lot from (study abroad). Both professionally through gaining experience and personally from being on my own in a foreign country.”

Sasso emphasized that students should enter the Education Away process with at least one goal in mind – whether academic, financial, time-based or location-specific. From there, the program works to match students with universities and programs that satisfy their goals.

Once students have explored their options, Education Away works to connect them with a university matching their desired goals. 

Eliza Tickhill, a social work major, is a student who benefitted from that approach. Influenced by a combination of academics, affordability and her favorite film, Tickhill spent this past summer studying at the American College of Greece in Athens. 

“Greece seemed like the best option, and it had the classes that I needed,” Tickhill said. “Also, it was in my price range, so it was a process of elimination – plus ‘Mamma Mia.’”

Sasso encouraged more students to explore what Education Away has to offer.

“I would say that certainly education away is more accessible than most students think,” Sasso said. “I would also say that education away at CSU is an underutilized resource office opportunity. It is designed to be accessible, we have all these opportunities that can kind of fit anyone's needs.”

Students interested in Education Away can visit the program’s website or stop by the CISP office in Berkman Hall, Room 412, for drop-in advising on weekdays from 1 to 3 p.m.