Study abroad opportunities have been heavily promoted this year, and now the Kearney International Center has new equipment to make the process easier.
Passport photograph services have been available in the International Center since the beginning of the semester. So far, many students have utilized the service because it cuts costs and saves a trip off campus.
"A lot of students don't have cars to get to Walgreen's to get a photo and Kinko's is too expensive," graduate student Andrea Shearer said. "We offer better location and value."
The cost to get four pictures is $8, which is around half of what other places are charging. The service is primarily available for study abroad students, but other students, faculty and staff can use it as well. Many international students have been using the digital photos for their visas and other documents.
"Having the passport photo camera is very useful, because so many photos are needed when studying abroad," said Caryn Lindsay, director of the International Program.
When Shearer studied abroad she said she used about 30 pictures for all the different kinds of documents she needed.
"I carried about 20 around with me, because you need them for the most random things," she said. "You need two for the passport, two for a visa, and others for things like student I.D.'s and bus passes."
The passport camera became part of the study abroad program because they wanted to extend their services to the campus and will be able to provide more specific travel information than other businesses in the area. Getting the photos for a passport can be a difficult process and having the service nearby simplifies things.
"There are numerous restrictions on how passport photos are done, and we now have the training and the equipment to provide verified passport photos," said study abroad coordinator Margie Larson.
Some of these restrictions - such as having a 2-inch by 2-inch photo and making sure the head is in the right spot - can be dealt with easily. But other restrictions - including having the correct amount of shoulders in the picture - are more difficult to work with. The digital photo camera makes this process easier since it has a built in grid to help position the body perfectly.
On Nov. 19 the International Center will hold a study abroad fair for all MSU programs. Individuals from the county who process passports will be in attendance so students and faculty can even apply for a passport on campus. The International Center can't help people actually apply for a passport, so this will be the first time this process will be on campus.
"We encourage anyone needing a current passport photo or anyone with questions about study abroad opportunities to come see us," Larson said. "The Kearney International Center is not just for international students. We're here to help the entire campus and the broader community."
Shannon Keller is a Reporter staff writer
Be the first to comment on this article!