ASU’s study-abroad office gave students a chance to explore the world Wednesday in the fall Study Abroad Fair.

More than 50 travel programs participated in the fair in the Memorial Union on the Tempe campus. Students interested in studying in foreign countries were able to speak with program directors, past participants and visiting exchange students about the benefits and experiences of spending time abroad.

Anthropology professor Kristin Koptiuch, director of a Costa Rica summer program, told students at the fair to take advantage of the opportunity to go anywhere in the world.

“It will expand your understanding of the world in ways you could never imagine,” she said.

Dan Hart, program manager of ASU’s Center for Global Education Services, said the fair allowed students to understand the basics of studying abroad through ASU. The center oversees the University’s study-abroad programs.

Hart said students were able to see the programs were designed to keep them on track to graduate.

“Students can’t afford financially to spend more time at ASU than they plan to,” he said. “The work they do will directly apply to their studies.”

Several ASU schools and departments hosted tables at the fair for their students. The School of Global Studies, the W. P. Carey School of Business and the Ira A. Fulton School of Engineering showcased the major-specific study-abroad programs they offer.

Global Studies senior Jeremy Fischer said he attended the fair because his school requires he study abroad in order to graduate.

Fischer said he is considering programs in Thailand or the Netherlands because they have an emphasis on urban planning. He said he is looking forward to getting out into the world.

“It’d be cool just to travel,” he said.

The fair also allowed students to take the first steps toward studying abroad.

One table allowed students to submit applications and take photos for passports. Students could also find scholarship information and enter a raffle to win a Eurail train pass valued at over $500. Hart said the University is offering $200,000 in scholarships this year for study-abroad programs.

Math and economics freshman Kenneth Otton said he attended the fair because he wants to experience a different environment.

“I don’t care where; I want to go somewhere,” he said.

Psychology junior Nicola Buckland, an exchange student from the University of Sussex in England, talked to students at the fair about spending time abroad. She came to ASU almost four weeks ago and will spend her academic year studying here.

She told students at the fair about her school, which has about 12,000 students. During her stay, she hopes to learn more about diversity and American studies in psychology. She also plans to visit California and Mexico for the first time.

She told students studying abroad is about being a worldlier, more experienced person.

“Go for it,” she told students. “It’s worth it.”

Reach the reporter at adam.sneed@asu.edu.