The Hall of Presidents swarmed with students Wednesday night during the second annual Study Abroad Fair.

More than 18 Colgate off-campus study programs were represented, as well as non-Colgate programs.

The fair is intended to help the 62 percent of students who go abroad before they graduate, the majority with Colgate programs, according to Barbara Gorka, director of international programs.

Growing up in the South, George Hudson often visited the Smoky Mountains, where he developed a passion for hiking.

The English professor's passion has not ebbed.

In fact, it has dovetailed with his keen interest in the effect of landscape on literature and has been of great service as he incorporates walking and hiking excursions in the Colgate off-campus study programs he leads in London and Japan.

Instead of having to fight through rush hour traffic to make it to work, Ruthia Yi '07 travels down a dirt road to her "office," a small village in Togo that lacks running water and electricity.

As a Peace Corps volunteer, Yi teaches residents about soil conservation methods and the pressing need for reforestation. She also promotes HIV and AIDS awareness for those living in the remote village.

As Colgate University junior Jeremy Bennett '09 studies in London this semester, he's getting a real-life lesson in personal finances.

Every fish and chips dinner, hostel stay, and souvenir is taking a big bite out of Bennett's wallet. He and thousands of other students studying abroad can blame the weak U.S. dollar, which is making a semester overseas more expensive.