The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) invites CSI, CUNY, and non-CUNY students to attend the CSI Study Abroad Fair on Wednesday, September 16, from 12-3pm in the Center for the Arts Atrium (Building 1P). Students will have the opportunity to explore more than 40 study abroad programs in Europe, Asia, Latin America, Australia, and New Zealand, including semester, summer, winter, spring, internship, language-learning, and faculty-led experiences.
Dr. Stephen Ferst, Executive Director of the CSI Center for Global Engagement highlighted that “studying abroad is one of the most impactful opportunities you can do while in College. Students who study abroad are more likely to get jobs sooner after graduation and earn starting salaries that are $4,000 to $5,000 more than those who stay at home. Not only does studying abroad help you grow intellectually and culturally, but it also helps secure your future.”
This year’s fair will showcase several exciting new opportunities, including a Medical Internship in Chile, a semester program in São Paulo, Brazil, new study options at University College Dublin (Ireland) and at CYA in Athens (Greece), and expanded programs in New Zealand. Students can learn how studying abroad enhances career readiness, intercultural communication skills, global awareness, and professional development while earning academic credit.
The fair will also highlight CSI’s popular faculty-led programs for Summer 2027, including Paris, France with Professor David Gerstner; Normandy, France with Professor Jeanne Rachel Leroux; Taiwan sustainability and medical internship programs led by Dr. Chang-Hui Shen; and Peru with Professor Jane Marcus-Delgado. These short-term programs provide immersive international experiences while allowing students to travel with CSI faculty and classmates.
“Our goal is to help every CSI student see that studying abroad is accessible and achievable,” said Gonzalo Villena, Director of Study Abroad at CSI. “The fair brings together programs, partners, scholarships, and advisors in one place so students can start planning a global experience that fits their academic and career goals.”
A major highlight of the event will be the presence of international partners and exchange students from CSI’s global network. Representatives from FIE (London, England), University College Dublin (Dublin, Ireland), CYA in Athens (Athens, Greece), ACT (Thessaloniki, Greece), and IAU (Aix-en-Provence, France) will be available to speak directly with students. Current exchange students from Chuo University, Meiji University, and APU (Japan), TU Dublin (Ireland), EK Business Academy Copenhagen, Denmark, and Liverpool John Moores University (England) will also share first-hand perspectives about studying and living abroad.
John Dunleavy, CSI Study Abroad Advisor, mentioned that “students will also have the opportunity to meet CSI study abroad alumni and hear about their experiences. Alumni are always super-excited to speak about their time abroad. There are many students who might think that studying abroad isn’t for them or that it’s only for certain majors or special programs. Meeting other students just like them who have been on our programs can help dispel that misconception and demonstrate that studying abroad is open to everybody. Of all the ways to promote study abroad, speaking with alumni is one of the most powerful.”
Students will be able to learn about scholarships and funding opportunities, and representatives from the CSI Financial Aid Office will explain how eligible financial aid can be applied to approved study abroad programs. Throughout the fair, Study Abroad Advisors John Dunleavy and Gonzalo Villena will be available to help students identify programs that fit their academic, professional, and personal goals for winter, spring, summer, or fall terms abroad.
For students looking to expand their horizons, gain international experience, and stand out in today’s global workforce, the CSI Study Abroad Fair is the perfect place to begin the journey.
