Studying, interning, or doing research abroad is a life changing experience. It opens your eyes to new cultures, ways of life, and how to adapt. Travel abroad also attunes you to different perspectives while promoting tolerance and understanding that will complement your education at ۿ۴ý. An experience abroad truly enhances your degree by exposing you to diverse academic resources and give you the opportunity to develop cultural competencies that are increasingly relevant in a changing world.
The Global Engagement Office (GEO) at ۿ۴ý offers many different types of programs that will help you meet different personal, professional, and academic goals. All of them have their advantages, so it is up to you to decide which program type best suits your needs.
Why Study Abroad?
No matter what your major or area of interest, studying abroad has enormous academic benefits.
- Gain critical thinking skills through exposure to different cultures and perspectives
- Create and foster a strong interest in life-long learning
- Develop foreign language skills
- Study topics not offered at ۿ۴ý
- Experience new ways of teaching and learning
- Broaden your understanding of the world
You’ll hear many returnee students say that study abroad changed their lives. Here are a few examples of how study abroad can benefit you.
- Travel to new places and make friends from around the world
- Become more independent, self-reliant, and confident
- Learn more about yourself and who you want to be
- Learn how to adapt effectively in culturally diverse environments
- Try new foods and have unique experiences
The professional benefits of study abroad are vast, and last long after returning from abroad. In fact, many employers are specifically looking for the very skills that you will gain during your study abroad experience. You will gain:
- The ability to communicate across cultures
- The ability to problem solve in unfamiliar situations
- Culturally intelligent listening and communication skills
- The opportunity to discover alternative career paths
- The ability to view situations from unique perspectives
- An appreciation of difference
Data shows that studying abroad will increase your job prospects and earning potential.
- 90% of study abroad students found their first job within six months of graduation
- 89% of those continuing to graduate school earned admission into their first or second choice school
- Study abroad students on average earn $6,000 more in starting salaries compared to non-study abroad students
- International ۿ۴ýs are an excellent discussion topic for your job interviews
For semester or academic year programs, you will pay ۿ۴ý’s tuition and your financial aid will still apply. The biggest differences in cost will be dictated by the cost of living in your host city/country. Each program on our List will have an estimated cost breakdown to help you in selecting an affordable option. Note: ۿ۴ý financial aid does not apply to third-party provider summer programs. Here is a geo-budget-sheet to help you plan your budget.
These programs are led by ۿ۴ý faculty and vary by theme and location. The time spent abroad on a TREK program varies from 2-6 weeks, and TREK offerings change each academic year. They are offered over school breaks (Winter, Spring, or Summer).
Study abroad will not only help you stay on track for graduation, but it will enhance your degree! Map it out on your academic plan at ۿ۴ý with the educational-plan. This helps you visualize what courses you need to graduate as well as how and where study abroad will fit.
For courses taken abroad, you will need to earn a U.S. grade equivalent of “C” or above to earn credit towards your degree. Grades you earn abroad will not factor into your ۿ۴ý GPA.
All courses taken abroad at an accredited university or program will be applied as general credits toward graduation. If you need the courses taken abroad to apply in a specific way, you will need to get authorization from the relevant department chair on the “Transferring Academic Credit to ۿ۴ý” form. You need one form for each class for which you are seeking approval. Deliver these forms to the Registrar’s office before studying abroad so they are on file when your transcript is received after you study abroad.
Important Note: Most of our study abroad programs use a credit hour system for their courses. A one-credit course at ۿ۴ý = 4 credit hours. Some courses abroad may only be worth 3 credit hours (.75 ۿ۴ý credits). Plan for this possible discrepancy.
The Study Abroad Course Guide shows how courses recently taken abroad have transferred back to ۿ۴ý. This guide is not exhaustive and is updated annually.