Study Abroad Guide

Why Study Abroad?

Studying abroad is consistently rated as the most transformative experience in a college student's academic career. According to the Institute of International Education, over 340,000 U.S. students study abroad annually — and that number is growing. The benefits extend far beyond the classroom:

• Personal growth: Living in a foreign country forces independence, adaptability, and resilience. Students consistently report increased self-confidence and problem-solving ability after studying abroad.
• Language skills: Immersion is the most effective way to learn or improve a foreign language. Even in English-speaking countries, you encounter diverse dialects, slang, and cultural communication styles.
• Global perspective: Understanding how other cultures approach education, work, relationships, and daily life broadens your worldview in ways no textbook can replicate.
• Career advantages: Employers in international business, diplomacy, public health, engineering, and tech increasingly value global experience. A study abroad semester signals cultural competence and adaptability — qualities that distinguish candidates.
• Academic enrichment: Some programs offer coursework unavailable at your home institution — studying marine biology on the Great Barrier Reef, art history in Florence, or political science at the European Parliament.

Types of Study Abroad Programs

"Study abroad" encompasses a wide range of program structures. Understanding your options is the first step in planning:

• Semester exchange: The classic model. You enroll at a partner university for one semester (or quarter), take courses alongside local students, and earn credits that transfer back. Most immersive option.
• Summer programs: Shorter (4-8 weeks), often faculty-led or through a third-party provider (CIEE, API, ISA). Less disruptive to your degree timeline. Good for students who can't commit to a full semester.
• Full-year programs: Maximum immersion. Spending an entire academic year abroad allows deep language acquisition and cultural integration. Common for language majors or students pursuing dual degrees with international partners.
• Faculty-led short-term: Typically 2-4 weeks, often during winter or spring break. A professor from your home institution leads a small group. Most structured and supervised option — ideal for first-time travelers or students with limited flexibility.
• Research abroad: Work on a research project with a professor or lab at a foreign institution. Particularly valuable for STEM students and those planning graduate school. NSF and Fulbright offer funding for international research.
• Internship abroad: Combine work experience with international living. Programs like AIESEC and GE Foundation offer structured international internship placements. Some earn academic credit.
• Virtual exchange: Online courses taught by or in collaboration with international institutions. No travel required. Emerging option post-2020 that provides cross-cultural learning on a budget.

Duration & Timing

When to go abroad depends on your major requirements, degree timeline, and personal readiness:

• Sophomore year (spring): The most common timing for a full semester abroad. By this point, you've completed foundational coursework, adjusted to college life, and have time to take electives or general education courses abroad.
• Junior year (fall or spring): Also popular, especially for students in majors with rigid sequences. Check with your advisor — some majors (engineering, nursing, pre-med) have narrow windows for study abroad.
• Summer (any year): The most flexible option. Doesn't interfere with fall/spring course sequences. Good for STEM students or athletes with limited semester availability.
• Senior year: Less common because of capstone courses, thesis work, and job/grad school applications. But not impossible — some students do a final semester abroad if they've planned carefully.

Cost & Funding

Cost is the most common barrier to studying abroad — but it's often less expensive than students assume, especially with financial aid and scholarships.

Program Fees

Many exchange programs charge the same tuition as your home institution — you simply "swap" tuition with the partner school. Third-party provider programs (CIEE, API, SIT) typically charge $12,000-$20,000 per semester, including housing and some meals. Summer programs range from $3,000-$10,000 depending on duration and location.

Financial Aid Portability

Here's what many students don't know: federal financial aid — including Pell Grants — travels with you when you study abroad through an approved program. Your FAFSA-based aid package can be applied to study abroad costs just as it would be applied to a semester at your home institution. This includes:

• Federal Pell Grants (up to $7,395/year)
• Federal Supplemental Educational Opportunity Grants
• Federal Direct Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized)
• Institutional aid — many schools allow their own scholarships and grants to apply to approved study abroad programs as well (check with your financial aid office)

Scholarships for Study Abroad

• Benjamin A. Gilman Scholarship: Up to $5,000 for Pell Grant-eligible students. Additional $3,000 for critical-need language study. Over 3,000 awards per year. This is the single most impactful scholarship for low-income students studying abroad.
• Boren Awards: Up to $20,000 for undergraduate study in regions critical to U.S. national security interests (Africa, Asia, Central/Eastern Europe, Latin America, Middle East). Requires a commitment to work in the federal government for one year after graduation.
• Fulbright Program: Primarily for post-graduation study, research, or teaching abroad. Highly competitive but fully funded. Applications open during senior year.
• Institutional scholarships: Many universities offer their own study abroad scholarships — $500 to $5,000+. Check with your school's international programs office.
• Third-party scholarships: Organizations like Fund for Education Abroad, Tortuga Backpacks, and GoAbroad offer $1,000-$10,000 awards specifically for study abroad.

Credit Transfer — Making Credits Count

The last thing you want is to return from an incredible semester abroad only to discover your credits don't count. Here's how to avoid that:

1. Pre-approve your courses. Before you leave, meet with your academic advisor and submit a course approval form. Get written confirmation that specific courses will count toward your GPA, major, minor, or general education requirements.
2. Get course descriptions. Your home institution will need detailed syllabi or course descriptions to evaluate equivalencies. Collect these before or during your time abroad.
3. Understand grading scales. International grading systems differ from U.S. standards. Some schools convert foreign grades to pass/fail; others convert to letter grades. Know your school's policy before you go.
4. Request official transcripts. After your program ends, request an official transcript from the host institution (or program provider) sent directly to your home university's registrar.
5. Plan for major vs. elective credits. Major-specific courses may be harder to transfer. Many students use study abroad for general education requirements or electives, taking major courses at their home institution.

Planning Timeline

Study abroad requires more advance planning than most students expect. Here's a general timeline:

• Freshman year: Research programs and destinations. Attend study abroad fairs. Talk to students who've gone. Meet with the international programs office. Start a passport application if you don't have one (processing takes 6-8 weeks, or 2-3 weeks expedited).
• Sophomore year (fall): Apply to programs. Most application deadlines are 6-9 months before departure. Apply for scholarships (Gilman deadline is typically March for fall/year programs, October for spring programs).
• Sophomore year (spring) or junior year (fall): Go abroad. This is the sweet spot for most students — enough college experience to be independent, enough time remaining to integrate the experience into your degree.
• Upon return: Submit transcripts for credit transfer. Reflect on your experience in applications, essays, and interviews. Consider how to apply your international experience to career goals.

Virtual Exchange & COIL

Not every student can travel abroad — financial constraints, family obligations, disabilities, or immigration status can limit options. Virtual exchange programs provide international learning without leaving campus:

• COIL (Collaborative Online International Learning): Students at your university collaborate on projects with students at a partner university in another country — through video calls, shared documents, and joint presentations. Over 100 U.S. institutions participate in COIL programs.
• Virtual exchange courses: Take an online course offered by an international institution. Some carry transfer credit. Stevens Initiative and Soliya offer structured virtual exchange programs focused on cross-cultural dialogue.
• Hybrid models: Some programs combine a short in-person component (1-2 weeks abroad) with longer online collaboration. Lower cost than a full semester while still providing some immersive experience.

Health & Safety Abroad

Safety planning is a critical — and often overlooked — part of study abroad preparation:

• Health insurance: Your home institution's plan may not cover you abroad. Many programs include international health insurance in their fees. If not, purchase a plan specifically designed for students abroad (e.g., CISI, HTH Worldwide). Typical cost: $50-$100/month.
• Prescriptions: Bring a 90-day supply of any medications, along with a letter from your doctor explaining the prescription. Some medications that are legal in the U.S. are controlled substances abroad.
• Travel advisories: Check the U.S. State Department travel advisories (travel.state.gov) for your destination. Your school may prohibit study abroad in Level 3 or Level 4 countries.
• STEP enrollment: Register with the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) so the nearest U.S. embassy can contact you in an emergency.
• Emergency contacts: Know the local emergency number (it's not always 911 — in Europe it's 112), the address of the nearest U.S. embassy/consulate, and your program's 24/7 emergency line.
• Cultural preparation: Research local customs, laws, and social norms. What's acceptable behavior in the U.S. may be offensive or even illegal elsewhere. Your program should provide pre-departure orientation — take it seriously.

Next step: Visit your university's international programs office early — ideally during freshman year. Use CollegeInsight to compare net price across programs and factor study abroad costs into your overall college budget.