The Fresno State Study Abroad Club held its first of four planned “Bulldog Pawties,” called the “Kick-Off Pawty,” on Sept. 6 in the Fresno State Library to share information about the opportunities students have for traveling abroad. 

Marcela Magdaleno, the study abroad adviser, gave a presentation about the different countries and programs of which Fresno State students can take advantage. Currently, students can sign up for an academic year of international studies in six different countries, with each country offering a different program for studies to learn about.

The event had 41 students in attendance, but a total of 77 members are in the club with 24  international students, 47 domestic students, 10 returning international students and 11 countries represented in total.

The event included an activity designed to help students  meet their “Bulldog Friend.” Students were given one of two “iconic duo” name tags, such as “Salt and Pepper” and “Phineas and Ferb,” and were tasked with finding their match. Attendees were also encouraged to join a GroupMe group chat with each other to enable further communication after the event.

“It’s a way for students to connect with each other and to make friends,” Magdaleno said. “Say someone wants to go to the gym with a friend, they can just ask on the group chat to see if someone else is also interested.”

After the presentation students were separated into four teams to work together to answer questions in a Family Feud-esque activity. 

“It was the most fun I’ve had on campus so far,” said Miranda Roger, a senior majoring in public health. “I heard about it through an email I got from Marcela.”

Noeleen Kitongan, the Study Abroad Club’s president, said all are welcome to attend further events even if they missed the first meeting.

“For the next month, we will have [the] ‘Ghostly Gathering,’ a Halloween-themed party, with candy and some history about the origins of Halloween.” 

The “Ghostly Gathering” will be held on Oct. 4 in a room that will be announced at a later time.

Students interested in more information about the Study Abroad Club and its upcoming events can visit its website at cge.fresnostate.edu or follow the Study Abroad Club on Instagram @fresnostate_sac.