Study Abroad - Getting Started
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 be of benefit to all students, who are interested in and open to experiencing another culture and way of life. There are numerous well-founded reasons for studying abroad. Below are just some of the reasons to consider:
- An intellectually challenging experience.
- 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 friends from different cultural backgrounds, which will last a lifetime.
- 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!
How Do You Go About Studying Abroad?
Planning: It is best to start planning your study abroad experience as early as possible. 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 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. For a complete list of SJU approved programs, including detailed information about requirements and application procedures, go to the Programs page. Please note that you can only apply to one program each semester.
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.
Application process and typical requirements: As soon as you have determined which program you would like to apply for, you should obtain the application information from CIP about that 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 CIP.
If you are applying for the full academic year or fall semester, you should submit your application during the spring semester of the preceding academic year. For a spring semester program, the application should be submitted during the preceding fall semester. Though all programs do not have the same application deadlines, typical deadlines for study abroad applications are early October (for spring semester applications) and mid-March (for full-year and fall semester applications). Please abide by these deadlines, as failure to do so could jeopardize your acceptance to a program.
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.
What Are Some Other Options?
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 studying abroad over the summer. The University policy on summer study abroad varies slightly from the policy for semester study abroad. Please review the summer policy and application procedures and 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 7-15 day international educational excursion. Go to the Study Tour pages 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.