Study Abroad

Typically, students who study abroad are in their third year, but you can study abroad any time during your enrollment in a university. The only exception might be your first and last semester – some institutions require these to be spent on campus. Check with your advisor and have a conversation about when studying abroad would make sense for you. Just remember study abroad is not a one-size-fits-all type of program – it will work at different times for different people!

Most of our students travel alone to their study abroad destination – it’s perfectly normal! The overwhelming feedback we hear is how awesome it was to meet new people, gain some confidence and independence, and how it wasn’t a lonely experience at all. Many times, students have already tried a new solo experience when they enrolled in their home university and started as a freshman – so studying abroad isn’t much different. You will still have access to events, clubs, organizations and social activities that take place at the host university and student housing gives added access to a friendly community of peers. 

We get this question a lot. Some people think they can’t do a semester abroad if they are seniors, or if they have any major other than liberal arts. Don’t make those assumptions – there are so many ways to study abroad! Reach out and talk to us and your advisor. We can help you find solutions to any requirements that may feel like obstacles, but we’re sure we have just the right program for you!

You usually have a few housing options when studying abroad – home stays, apartments, or residence halls. Each has its advantages. Reach out and talk to us about what is typical for the location that interests you. No matter what you pick, it’s a great way to learn more about your host culture.

Quite possibly! If the university is hosting you, it is often hosting other students who are studying abroad. You may also meet students from other countries who are studying abroad and make even more multi-cultural connections! It’s great to connect with someone who knows about peanut butter or the finer points of American football, but keep in mind, most of our students valued their new connections with students who grew up in the host country. Often those friendships last a lifetime!

Students often use federal financial aid to study abroad, and in some cases can use other aid and scholarships as well. The first step to ensuring your financial aid can be used is to work with your World Endeavors advisor and your home institution academic advisor to map out your academic plan with the courses you will take abroad.  Your World Endeavors advisor can also recommend our more affordable study options, which might even cost less than a semester at home! We will also give you tips on finding scholarships and other tools to defray the cost of studying abroad.

If you intend to use financial aid to study abroad, you are expected to take a full course load during the semester or term you are abroad. This usually is around 5 classes, with 3 credits each. We will work with you and your academic advisor to find the right courses and make sure they fulfill the course requirements. 

We love connecting students with semester-long cross-cultural learning adventures, but there are many other ways to have meaningful learning experiences abroad! Talk to our advisors about our professional internship and volunteer opportunities. We encourage you to get out into the world one way or another. If you are like the majority of the students we’ve worked with over the years, you’ll return home feeling this was the best decision you could have possibly made!