Learn a new language, break out of your academic routine, travel, and make new friends. Studying abroad can expand your worldview. Megan Parker, Senior at The Illinois Institute of Art-Chicago who went to Milan, Italy this previous quarter, stated, “My outlook on life has completely changed. I see things differently and think about things differently. I have also gained a lot more knowledge about the fashion industry that I can apply to my education and occupation.”

Often the biggest reason why people do not study abroad is not desire but finance. Financial aid, scholarships, and loans are ways to pay for a trip overseas. Creative ways to fund a study abroad trip include: contacting the local media for help, contacting companies you or your parents work for, hosting a garage sale or auction, or having musicians friends host a benefit on your behalf. The Illinois Institute of Art in Chicago provides students many opportunities to travel abroad. Students are currently in Paris and Engelberg. Trips to Milan, Italy and Strasbourg, France are available for all majors; in addition, fall 2008 offers opportunities for Culinary Arts including a trip to Engelberg, Switzerland.

If a whole quarter is too long to be away from your life in Chicago, you may want to consider one of the three-week study abroad opportunities and start an independent study to then finish next quarter for school credit. These trips include an Adventure in Italian Art and Architecture, Vive el Arte Espanol, ll Mondo di Modo Italiano, A Photo and Design Tour of Britain, La Cucina in Umbria, and 2008 Culinary Olympics/A Taste of Belgium.

If you want a chance to try to immerse yourself in another culture and have the time of your life, stop by the Academic Advising department and see Sandrine Onyeise, Director of Academic Advising. E-mail her at sonyeise@aii.edu or call 312.777.8620.