WHY STUDY ABROAD?
Study abroad is undoubtedly a life changing experience, which can affect the future course of both your life and your career. It can benefit anyone who is interested in and open to experiencing another culture and way of life. Before making the decision to study abroad, take some time to think about why it is important to you. What are your goals and what do you hope to gain from the experience? Below are just some of the reasons to consider:
- Greatly increase your level of fluency in a specific foreign language
- Become intimately acquainted with another culture and way of life
- Attain a new worldview
- See your home country with a different set of eyes
- Make life-long friends from different cultural backgrounds
- Increase your marketability when looking for a position (a definite "resume-builder!")
Remember, you will get out of a study abroad experience as much as you yourself put into it. Look beyond simply travelling as a reason for leaving the country. You will certainly have time to travel, but you will gain so much more from the experience if you open yourself up to personal and academic growth as well.
The world is in your hands...where do you want to go??
HOW DO YOU GO ABOUT STUDYING ABROAD?
Planning: It is best to start planning your study abroad experience as early as possible. Ideally, it is advisable to consider a semester or year abroad during your freshman year. In this way, you can better plan your course of study in the semesters preceding your study abroad experience. Most study abroad students spend one or both semesters of their junior year abroad. It is, however, possible to study abroad during the second semester of sophomore year or even first semester of your senior year. It very much depends upon an individual student's major and particular circumstances. All students should make an appointment with their Academic Advisor to seek guidance in planning one's curriculum. Students should try to save free electives or GER/GEP requirements for a semester or year abroad since these courses are generally easier to find abroad than very specific upper level courses in your major. Whenever you choose to study abroad, planning should begin at least one year in advance of your target semester or year.
Choose a destination: One of the fundamental issues, which you must decide, is where you would like to study. In some cases, your decision may be influenced by factors, such as the foreign language you have been studying or your particular major. Go to the Programs page for a complete list of SJU approved and affiliated study abroad programs. From there you will find detailed information on our programs including requirements and application procedures. Students can only apply to one program at a time. If you are having difficulty choosing a program or finding a good match for your interests, please make an appointment with the Study Abroad Advisor or one of our Peer Ambassadors.
Application process and typical requirements: As soon as you have determined which program you would like to apply for, download the appropriate application materials from the program-specific page of our website. If you are applying for the full academic year or fall semester, you should submit your application materials to the CIP by March 1st. For a spring semester program, the application should be submitted by October 1st. EARLY applications are advised for certain programs. Please abide by these deadlines, as failure to do so could jeopardize your acceptance to a program.
All SJU students must submit all application materials to the Center for International Programs so that your application can be reviewed. Application requirements vary by program but all applicants will need to have at least a 2.5 GPA and be in good academic and disciplinary standing to be considered by the CIP.
SJU Study Abroad Regulations: The SJU Study Abroad Policy describes the University's standing on several aspects of studying abroad; including credit transfer, eligibility, tuition payments, financial aid, etc. Every student who is considering spending a semester or year abroad should read and understand this policy.
Summer Study Abroad: We realize that not every student will be able to spend an entire semester or year abroad. Students also have the option of participating in a short-term study abroad program through SJU or another university. For more information about the upcoming SJU summer programs to Rome, Greece, China and Chile, please click here. If you are more interested in a non-SJU summer program to another location, you should review the Non-SJU Summer Study Abroad Procedures, which vary slightly from the regular semester abroad policy. There is no list of "approved" programs for summer. Instead, students can choose any accredited summer study abroad program, as long as they complete the Non-SJU Summer Study Abroad Application and the Non-SJU Summer Study Abroad Credit Approval Form. To begin researching possible program options, we suggest www.studyabroad.com or www.iiepassport.org. You can also make an appointment with the Study Abroad Advisor if you have any questions.
SJU Study Tours: Study Tours are SJU faculty led short-term courses. In many cases, these three-credit courses begin on campus and finish with a 1-2 week educational excursion to an overseas location. Go to the Study Tour page to get more information on SJU Study Tours and to see a list of proposed tours for the current academic year.
Questions? Try the student FAQ. If you still have questions, feel free to drop by CIP or make an appointment with the Study Abroad Advisor.
