There are numerous ways that you can stay connected to study abroad, fellow study abroad participants, and the international community in Pittsburgh. Each year, the SAO partners with other organizations on campus to run a series of re-entry programs designed for study abroad alumni. Study Abroad Alumni are also encouraged to explore interning and volunteer options, both in the Study Abroad Office and in local and international organizations. Additionally, students may choose to submit their writing and photos for The Road Less Traveled Literary Magazine or other publications or participate in the annual Study Abroad Photo Contest. The SAO is building an extensive alumni database to help alumni stay in touch with the SAO and build a network Pitt graduates with international experience.

Welcome Back Bash - Wednesday, January 21 - 6:00-8:00pm - 802 WPU
Come celebrate your return and the return of other students to campus! Enjoy FREE international food, music and casual conversation with other students who recently studied abroad.

Market Your Experience Workshop - Wednesday, February 25 - 3:00-4:15pm - 802 WPU
Learn about the most effective ways to market your international experiences via resume writing and interviewing strategies. Bring a copy of your updated resume!

International Careers Panel - Wednesday, March 18 - 3:00-4:00pm - WPU Lower Lounge
Hear from a panel of Pittsburgh-based professionals who have pursued international careers. Discover the many opportunities available to you.

Help other Pitt students plan their semester abroad while earning Pitt credit!

Interns and volunteers serve as peer advisors and assist at promotional events. Interns can earn 3 credits for their work. If you are friendly, outgoing, and want to help other students have a rewarding experience abroad, please pick up an Internship Application in 802 William Pitt Union, or contact the Study Abroad Office (abroad@pitt.edu).

The Road Less Traveled Literary Magazine, a collection of student travel writing, artwork and photography, is now accepting submissions for its next publication. Diverse and unique submissions are encouraged, but must be related to studying, living or traveling abroad. The deadline for submissions is: Friday, October 3, 2008.

Please email all entries to abroad@pitt.edu along with your name, year in school, country of study, and email address. Electronic submissions are preferred, but if you are unable to email your entry, you may drop it off in the Study Abroad Office (802 William Pitt Union).

If you are interested in writing for another publication, Abroad View and Transitions Abroad are two magazines that accept submissions.

Pitt Around the Planet' Photo Contest!

Each Fall Semester, the Study Abroad Office (SAO) organizes its annual Pitt Around the Planet Photo Contest to showcase the travels and experiences of recent study abroad participants. All submitted photos will be displayed and voted on online on the Study Abroad Office Facebook profile.  Finalists will have hard copies of their photos on display in the SAO Resource Area, 802 William Pitt Union, and cash prizes will be awarded for the top three photos.If you have any questions about the photo contest, please visit the Photo Contest Page or contact us at abroad@pitt.edu or 412-648-7413.

The SAO has compiled this listing of international opportunities to encourage students to continue their international education, in whatever form, beyond study abroad.  The SAO does not endorse any of the following organizations nor make any guarantees about the content or quality of their services, however, students are welcome to explore their service and use this is a base for future international endeavors. View the list of opportunities by visiting the International Opportunities in Pittsburgh and Beyond Page.

The Study Abroad Office (SAO) is constantly looking for new ways to reach out to both current and former students as they move through life after studying abroad.  We know that study abroad is a life changing experience for many, and we are interested in learning how it affected you personally.  To this end, we want to stay in touch with our past students and to use their collective expertise to help mentor our current students.  While we already offer several such initiatives, we are now hoping to develop a more comprehensive reentry program and would value your input.

Our goal is to establish a Study Abroad Alumni Network.  Through this database of Pitt students who have studied abroad, we hope to open the lines of communication between both you and the SAO, and between you and your peers.  Of course, we'd like to keep you informed of the current initiatives of our office, as well as the new programming we're offering current students.  But beyond this, we're looking to create a venue for past participants who have studied abroad and who wish to connect with their peers and talk about their experiences.  Finally, we strongly value your opinion, and would love to hear your ideas and comments about Study Abroad at Pitt.  Once in place, the Alumni Database should be advantageous to both of us.

Your participation is crucial to the success of this project.  If you are interested in becomming part of the Alumni Database, please email abroad@pitt.edu with the subject line "Alumni Database."  In the body of the email, tell us your name, updated permanent email address, and when and where you studied abroad.  We'll include your information on a list for future correspondence about the Alumni Database and other related events.  For those of you on Facebook, you can also extend your friendship to Pitt Study Abroad.  Just search for us using the above email address.  We'll be updating the Facebook site with more details as they become available.