A record 850 people attended the 2009 “Tour the World” Study and Work Abroad Fair held in September. This is the largest engineering international fair in the United States. (Tour the World video)

This annual event is a one-stop shop for students interested in learning about international study and work abroad opportunities, according to Shannon Miner, program coordinator in the Engineering International Programs and Services office. The 2009 fair included exhibits on 33 international programs available to engineering students. In addition, departmental academic advisers were on hand to talk to students about what steps they need to take to incorporate a study or work abroad experience into their program of study, and an Iowa State financial aid adviser was available to discuss financial aid to support an international experience.

Students attending the 2009 fair had the unique opportunity to visit with Mike Mack, president, John Deere Worldwide Construction and Forestry Division. John Deere is a sponsor of the fair and sponsors a booth that promotes the company’s international co-op program as well as its role as a global industry. Mack, who was at Iowa State as a guest lecturer for the Technology, Globalization, and Culture course, visited with students about the importance of having a global perspective.

Miner attributes this year’s growth in attendance to an increasing global awareness on the part of students. “Young people today know that we’re living in a global environment, and they recognize the value of having an international experience,” she says. “Many first-year students arrive on campus knowing they want to study or work abroad.”

In addition, Miner credits faculty and advisers with doing a great job helping to promote and sustain the wide variety of programs available to engineering students.

For more information about international opportunities, visit Engineering International Programs and Services.