New student group enables global travel

A new program at IU will give students the opportunity to interact with hundreds of students from more than 100 countries in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates, this February. \nEducation Without Borders is an international organization that holds student conferences every two years in the United Arab Emirates. The organization helps build networks and bring people from across the globe together to discuss and create solutions to some of the world's greatest social problems, according to the group's Web site. \nThe IU branch's coordinator, sophomore Paul Commons, first heard about the group after one of his professors forwarded him an e-mail about the program. Commons is currently the president of the student advisory board for the One Here ... One There organization, a group that helps aid sub-Saharan African students by encouraging college students around the country to donate $20 through their bursar bill. \nAfter reading more about Education Without Borders, Commons became interested in getting IU involved with the program. \n"As I researched more, I realized that EWB would also be a great way to represent IU by getting other students on campus involved in a great cause," Commons said. \nAs the campus coordinator for the new group, Commons is in charge of organizing the promotion of the program at IU. Commons met with Vice Chancellor for Student Affairs and Dean of Students Richard McKaig earlier this week and is searching for a professor to sponsor students. The professor will be in charge of grading the abstracts and research papers that students must submit to be chosen to attend the conference. \nTo be considered as a possible student representative at the conference, an individual must submit a two- to three-page abstract, a research paper and a personal essay. \nTwo to four students will be chosen by the professor to represent IU at the conference Feb. 25 to 27 in Abu Dhabi. The students chosen will receive free accommodations but will be asked to pay for airfare. \nThe conference is open to students from any of the schools on campus, Commons said. \n"Anyone who gets chosen to attend the conference can learn and apply their experiences at EWB to their everyday lives, regardless of their intended major," he said. \nSophomore Kaitlin Riley said she is excited about the program and plans to participate. Although it might seem a bit time consuming, the growth and experience outweighs the amount of work involved, she said.\n"Doing a 10-page research paper may seem like a lot of work, but it is part of the whole learning experience," Riley said. "It's not just about going to a different country -- it is about the growth from the research that you do."\nCommons is optimistic about student participation and said he thinks the conference is an excellent opportunity for students. \n"It is a great chance to meet all kinds of people from around the world, hear incredible speakers and see how others are trying to make a difference in the world," he said. "Attending the conference can definitely change your perspective on the world around you." \nFor more information, visit the group's Web site at www.ewb2007.com or contact Commons at pcommons@indiana.edu.