WHEELING, WV, Oct. 12, 2009 — Students, parents and educators are invited to attend the first ever study abroad fair from 11 a.m. – 1 p.m., Friday, Oct. 16 at Wheeling Jesuit University.

The informative presentation will take place in the Benedum Room, located in Swint Hall on the Wheeling Jesuit campus.

“Anyone interested in participating on any international program is invited to attend the fair. Scholarship information will be available to interested students, parents, and teachers,” said Dr. Dominick DeFilippis, professor of Modern Languages for the university. Area high school students and their teachers may also attend the study abroad fair.

When a student goes abroad for study, classes--other than language courses--are conducted in English and credits will transfer to most US colleges and universities. Students currently in college can use Stafford and Pell grants to cover the costs of a study abroad trip.

"Wheeling Jesuit University offers programs abroad that cover the globe. The Study Abroad Program at the university is a wonderful chance for students to experience French and Spanish language and culture in exciting ways," DeFilippis said.

Wheeling Jesuit is a participating member in a number of consortia that administer semester-long and summer programs in a variety of locations including: Paris, France; Angers, France; Quebec, Canada; Seville, Spain; Segovia, Spain; Valdivia, Chile; and Rosario, Argentina.

In addition to semester-long and summer programs abroad, Wheeling Jesuit University also offers travel courses in a variety of disciplines. These courses are seven to 10 days in length and are offered in either January or May. Some locations include: Ireland, Mexico, England, Vietnam, Quebec and Dominica.

For more information on Wheeling Jesuit’s study abroad opportunities, please contact DeFilippis via e-mail at defilip@wju.edu or by phone, 304-243-2244.

The newest of 28 Jesuit colleges and universities in the United States, Wheeling Jesuit University offers students an exceptional private education. Since 1995 U.S. News & World Report has ranked Wheeling Jesuit University among the top institutions in its “Best Master’s Universities in the South” category. Wheeling Jesuit ranks 180 out of 600 in the Forbes Best Colleges survey 2009.

The campus is also home to the Robert C. Byrd National Technology Transfer Center, the Erma Ora Byrd Center for Educational Technologies®, the NASA-sponsored Classroom of the Future, a Challenger Learning Center® and the Clifford M. Lewis Appalachian Institute.