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The Office of Global Education recently treated ������ students to a whimsical week of global considerations featuring a packed schedule of activities for students curious about studying abroad. Topics from a “Study in Japan” information session to a gelato-themed “Get the Scoop” overview of the Florence, Italy program entertained and educated intentional attendees and passers-by.

Part of the 2025 Education Abroad Showcase, the Education Abroad Expo took place outside of the Memorial Athletic and Convocation Center on Sept. 10. The event aimed to attract students from around campus who wanted to learn more about the study abroad program offered through Kent State.

“We’ve had a lot of students walking by who maybe weren’t even planning or thinking about study abroad, who’ve seen us and gravitated toward us, which is nice,” Kristina Bullard, assistant director of the Education Abroad office, told Kent State Today. “We’ve had events all week, and we’ve been really pleasantly surprised to see the number of students who are really interested in going abroad.”

During the showcase, students asked questions about what studying abroad would look like for them and what programs are available for each country.  

“Our approach is that we really like to work individually with students to see what their interests are, what their major is, how long they want to be abroad, et cetera, and then recommend programs from there,” said Amber Cruxton, director of the Education Abroad office. “Here today, we have over 200 different programs that are represented in about 60 different countries.”

Maryam Bonchu and Elise Henderson, two student volunteers at the showcase, provided information and stories about their time abroad through the Kent State Freeman Fellows internship.  

Bonchu, a junior psychology major, worked as a human resources intern in Vietnam this summer.  

“It was actually at a special education company, and my project was basically job redistribution and redesigning the roles,” Bonchu said.

Bonchu said how the work environment in Vietnam is focused on well-being and mental health, and how, on their breaks, they take naps.  

Henderson, a junior visual communication design major, had a marketing internship in Tokyo.

“It was through a company called Scandinavian Beauty, so it was like a skincare brand in Tokyo,” Henderson said. “I designed a lot of stuff for the website, but also had to figure out what to post on Instagram.”

Henderson said that studying abroad can be crazy at first, but that it’s a great way to meet new people and make friends.  

Testimonials from students like Bonchu and Henderson at showcases help students trying to decide whether they want to study abroad. The office itself provides information for anyone seeking details after the expo about education-abroad opportunities and available scholarships. 

Visit the Office of Global Education.