LYNX LIFE LIBRARY

Are you interested in exploring destinations such as Italy, South Korea, Spain and other countries around the world? Want to earn academic credit, make lifelong friends, grow in your career, and have the experience of a lifetime? 

Attend the Fall 2025 CU Denver|MSU Denver Study Abroad Fair! The Fall Study Abroad Fair will take place in Tivoli Turnhalle on Sept. 9 from 9:30 a.m. through 1 p.m. At the fair, you can talk to representatives from faculty-led and third-party programs to find the right study abroad program for you, learn how to fund study abroad through scholarships and financial aid, get discounted passport photos, enjoy a free burrito, and collect fun swag!

Why should you attend the study abroad fair? Hear five reasons from students who made the leap to study abroad and how it transformed them:

1. See the World and Gain More Confidence

Barbara Cardoso had never left the country before studying abroad in England with the CU Denver in England: Global Risk Management program in London this past Spring. She says, “Traveling to London for a global education experience felt exciting but completely new. Everything was unfamiliar, from the accents and fast pace to the train system. I got lost once on the way to a company visit and had to figure things out on my own. That moment gave me more confidence than I expected.

“One of the most unforgettable moments was watching a live negotiation inside Lloyd’s of London. Seeing it happen in real time made everything I had studied feel real. I understood then that this industry is about more than numbers. It is about people, trust, and global collaboration. That experience helped me grow both personally and professionally. I came back more confident, more curious, and more aware of the kind of future I want to build.”

Barbara’s experience reinforces the lesson that anyone can study abroad. From first-time travelers, undergraduates and graduates to students of any major, there is a study abroad program for you! 

2. Study Abroad Can Launch Your Career 

Paul Stahlke, a CU Denver: Semester in Beijing alumnus, says the program was “instrumental in my decision to eventually major in Chinese.”  He went on to study post-war state building, which culminated in two years in Cambodia with the Peace Corps, followed by a focus in local government during his master’s in public affairs at Indiana University. Paul’s study abroad experience has also helped lead him to his current position. “Today, I work for the Social Security Administration—and while it might seem far flung from exploring temples and riding the 地铁 in China, I absolutely credit my time in Beijing as being a superb incubator for deepening my passions and sense of identity in my undergraduate years and beyond.”

Interested in this program? You can chat with Semester in Beijing alumni at the study abroad fair! This a highly affordable program at $12,200 for the semester option with many CLAS courses and generous scholarships. There is also a summer option for only $3,360.

3. Engage in Hands-On Learning and Foster Meaningful Connections

Viviana Pinto, who participated in the CU Denver in Spain: Serving Families, Schools, and Communities program this summer worked in an elder care facility for her service-learning project, collaborating with physical therapists to inject novelty into old routines. “Over my three short weeks, I formed beautiful relationships with the patients by hearing about their stories, achievements, and families. The most difficult part was saying goodbye to my favorite patients, because between us we understood the last time we would see each other. In that moment, “hasta manaña,” the promise of tomorrow was no longer a possibility; it was replaced by a tearful “buena suerte.”

As Viviana learned, study abroad fosters meaningful cross-cultural relationships that go beyond traditional classroom learning.

4. Immerse Yourself in A Different Culture

Maria Maddocks studied abroad with the third-party provider CIS Abroad in Florence, Italy on their Florence University of the Arts program. She experienced what it’s like to be fully immersed in another culture and the benefits that come with moving at a different pace of life. She says, “Ever since being exposed to the culture of Florence, I’ve learned how to slow down and appreciate the little moments. I was able to let go of the productivity standards that I’ve experienced in America, and really take my time to enjoy the beauty of the culture around me. When dining in Italy, whether I be a cappuccino or croissant, or an aperitivo and dinner, I learned how to slow down so that I could fully appreciate the food, atmosphere, and company.”

Third-party providers will also be tabling at the study abroad fair and offer an attractive option for students looking to study a specific discipline in a particular location. They offer semester and summer options and students can earn transfer credit that applies to their degrees! You can check out all the Office of Global Education’s third-party programs here. 

5. Get Out of Your Comfort Zone and Gain a Global Perspective

Angel Ruiz Gomez, a mechanical engineering major, participated on the CU Denver in Japan & Taiwan: International Dimensions of Technology and Culture program and credits study abroad for broadening his perspective: “When studying abroad in both Taiwan and Japan I felt that it broadened the view of the world for me. Since this was the first time I was across the world in an entirely different continent. I think my favorite thing was going to the Taiwan night markets and trying the many different types of food, and how welcoming both cultures were. I feel like studying abroad helped me learn that I actually like traveling and has given me the confidence to step out of my comfort zone.”

Angel’s experience shows that even STEM majors can study abroad! Professor Tim Lei, who leads the CU Denver in Japan and Taiwan program, will be tabling at the study abroad fair and it’s open for applications now. 

Whether you’re an engineering student, first-time traveler, graduate student or otherwise, anyone can study abroad! The benefits of study abroad are clear: increased confidence, better career prospects, and a new perspective on the world.  

So, what are you waiting for? Attend the Study Abroad Fair on Sept. 9 and take your first step towards a life-changing journey.