LYNX LIFE LIBRARY

Have you caught yourself wishing that you were going somewhere new over winter break, instead of staying in Denver? Have you been itching to experience a different climate? Have you been wanting to practice or develop your foreign language skills? Do you want to collect unique perspectives about your major? Or make new friends? Have you been looking for a way to make your resume stand out? Do you want to know what a free breakfast burrito tastes like? If any of these thoughts have crossed your mind, the spring study abroad fair, occurring on January 28 from 9 AM – 1 PM in North Classroom Atria A, B, C, and D, is the perfect event for you!

Can I study abroad? And what will be featured at the study abroad fair?

Regardless of your time constraints, academic needs, or desired language of instruction (whether that be English or a foreign language), the Office of Global Education at CU Denver has a program for you! Choose your preferred academic term, location, and courses, and earn academic credit while you discover the world. 

At the fair, we're hosting third-party study abroad partners, including DIS Study Abroad, USAC, WorldStrides (ISA and TEAN), and AIFS. They all offer semester-long and summer programs with significant on-site support, and collectively, they offer programs all around the world. You'll receive transfer credit for these programs, and many students receive major-specific credit from these programs. OGE will assist with course approvals before you depart, including access to dozens of pre-approved courses CU Denver students have taken recently. 

Additionally, we'll have CU Denver faculty directors available to talk through their short-term programs, through which you'll earn 3-6 CU Denver credits over summer or winter break. We'll have 15 faculty-led programs represented at the fair, including Dr. Tony Robinson's CLAS program, CU Denver in South Korea: Korea Goes Global and Dr. Larry Kaptain and Dr. Steven Vose's CAM & CLAS program, CU Denver in Nepal: Transforming Tradition – Arts, Media, and Meditation in a Changing World. Check out other summer '25 faculty-led programs here. 

If you’d like to go abroad for a full semester and receive CU Denver credit—especially for COMM, ECON, or other CLAS major credit—make sure you check out the CU Denver in China: Semester in Beijing program at the fair! For students living on-campus or paying rent in Denver, Semester in Beijing presents an exceptional economic value at approximately $12,000/semester for tuition, room, and some meals.

Dr. Tony Robinson says of his experience with study abroad, "It is a rare opportunity to spend several weeks overseas, learning together with fellow students and professors who are experts in each setting. Personally, I've taken students on overseas trips to both Germany and South Korea, and it is always the high point of the year, traveling to exciting overseas locations with a group of energetic and highly engaged students." If South Korea or Political Science are interesting topics to you, make sure to speak to Tony about his program. 

Dr. Larry Kaptain and Dr. Steven Vose noted that at the last fair, "students who visited our booth for the Nepal Maymester were surprised to learn that a program for all majors can focus on transforming oneself." Their interdisciplinary program focuses on "empower[ing] students to re-design their lives with intention while they learn about the transformative role of art in debates over Nepal's future." While Nepal may be a more non-traditional study abroad location, CU Denver students have treasured their experiences here the past few summers as the program offers an enriching, life-changing, and unique experience. Check out their table to meet them and learn more about the program!

Other countries with opportunities represented include Spain, Italy, Guatemala, Japan, Panama, Bosnia, Croatia, Costa Rica, and many, many more. Additionally, many more accomplished faculty leaders will be in attendance who weren't mentioned here, so make sure to speak to them as well!

So, how can you come prepared for the fair?

All you need to bring is yourself! If you want to go above and beyond, come with an idea of the goals you have for your study abroad experience—would you like to visit a specific country? Would you like to fulfill specific credits? Would you like to go abroad during a certain term? Having answers to questions like these can help you have more productive conversations and know what tables you'd like to visit.

Do keep in mind that there will be free swag and burritos—so come with a bit of an appetite too!

What can you expect the fair to be like?

The fair will be happening in the North Classroom Atria over the course of several hours with tables in each atrium. Come and go as you're able to meet with program directors and ask questions of OGE staff.  Make sure to allow some time to stop for a breakfast burrito if you want one!

Worried that you can't afford to study abroad due to a high price tag or lack of funding?

While some study abroad experiences may be pricier than a semester on the CU Denver campus, they don't have to be. Don't dismiss the fair because of the perceived price of studying abroad—we'll have many resources for scholarships, and providers and faculty are happy to provide resources for funding too. Additionally, if you receive financial aid, that can be applied to studying abroad. In fact, in some cases, a semester abroad can be less expensive than a semester at CU Denver. Dr. Tony Robinson also describes the fair as a place to learn "how you might address funding challenges.  There are scholarships to help make these trips happen, and you can learn more at the study abroad fair!"

So, what are you waiting for? Join us at the fair and take your first step toward an eye-opening journey. 

See you there!