The Studies Abroad Center sponsored a reception Thursday, Sept. 11 for all Iowa State students who studied abroad this past summer.

More than 50 students gathered in the Campanile Room of the Memorial Union for the two-hour reception. Students talked about their study abroad experiences and explored study options of more than 40 countries.

The Studies Abroad Center provided students with name tags and pamphlets detailing further options for cross-cultural opportunities.

Trevor Nelson, coordinator of study abroad, gave statistics, which he said proved students’ interest in overseas studies has grown in the past seven years.

In 1996-97, 52 ISU students worked abroad and 527 researched or studied overseas. These figures double those of the 1995-96 year, and are three times those of 1991.

Nelson said all seven colleges sent students overseas in the past year. He said the best thing about studying abroad is “it is not a once in a lifetime opportunity.”

ISU President Martin Jischke commended the students at the reception for taking the opportunities available to them to travel and study abroad.

“The goal of Iowa State is to increase its connections and agreements with the rest of the world,” Jischke said.

Aranthan “Steve” Jones II, a junior in pre-med, recently returned from Nigeria where he was able to do a demo study relating to his field.

In the three months he was abroad, Jones most vividly recalled the opportunity he was given to informally review today’s medical topics with some of the world’s leading doctors.

Jones said the experience was unforgettable as well as a lot of fun. He said he would study abroad again without hesitation if given the chance.

Theresa Becker, a graduate student in fisheries and wildlife biology, and Tanya Alsip, a graduate student in food science and human nutrition, went to Costa Rica for two weeks last May with a group of six students and two faculty members.

The trip was part of a spring semester course combining Animal Ecology 501 and Food Science 590.

For Becker, seeing the rain forest and its beauty for herself was something she will not soon forget.

Alsip said the best advantage to studying abroad during college is it proves to employers your willingness to travel. She said it also gives students a wider and more global background.