Today@Sam Article

Passport To Potential

Jan. 25, 2019
SHSU Media Contact: Hannah Haney

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Sam Houston State University’s Bearkat OneCard Office, Leadership Initiatives and the Office of International Programs are partnering with the United States Postal Service to host a passport fair Feb. 5, from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the Lowman Student Center, room 320.

The purpose of the event is to provide students, faculty and staff a convenient way to apply for or renew their passports.

“I am very excited about bringing this service to our campus community,” Malin Hilmersson, study abroad coordinator for the Office of International Programs said. “I’ve heard from many people that they have been meaning to renew or apply for their passports, but have been putting it off for various reasons. Now, they have the opportunity to do it on campus and USPS is coming to them.”

In the U.S., passports do not expire for 10 years so despite not having any current plans for international travel, there is still potential to be bitten by the travel bug. Owning a passport can also work as an acceptable form of alternate identification when multiple forms of ID are required. Additionally, it is good to have in the case of an emergency because the expedition process for getting or renewing a passport is extremely costly and can take over a week for delivery.

Overall, there are many practical reasons to having a passport, but ultimately, passport ownership offers a sense of empowerment.

“You can learn so much by traveling, not only about the world but also about yourself,” Hilmersson said. “Experiencing other cultures and ways of life can put your own life in perspective. You don’t even have to travel far to discover incredible sights and cultural diversity.”

Open to all SHSU students, faculty and staff with an active Bearkat OneCard.

Walk-ins are welcome, appointments are strongly suggested.

For more information or to register, please visit here.

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