Choosing the Right Program

Why Study Abroad?

There are numerous academic, professional, and personal benefits to studying abroad:

It's an intellectually challenging and rewarding experience.
Depending on your program, you can greatly increase your level of fluency in a foreign language.
You become intimately acquainted with another culture and way of life.
You attain a new worldview.
You see your home country with a different set of eyes.
You make friends from different cultural backgrounds, which will last a lifetime.
You 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. You should have some clear goals in mind when considering studying abroad. Look beyond simply travel as a reason for leaving the country. You will certainly do that and have fun as well. The real key, however, is to profit from your experience in a more profound way, which will be beneficial to you for the rest of your life.

Steps to Plan for Study Abroad

Attend a Study Abroad 101 information session. These sessions are typically offered multiple times throughout the semester and will provide you with basic information about studying abroad and an overview of the options for Saint Joseph's students. For the list of upcoming information sessions and special events, view the Study Abroad Event Calendar.
Explore the CIP Program Portal for more in-depth information about study abroad programs. Use the “Advanced Program Search” feature on the portal to find programs by eligibility requirements, location, major, language, co-curricular and more.
Begin reviewing possible abroad courses by looking at each program’s website and the lists of “Pre-Approved Courses” on the individual program pages.
Meet with your academic advisor to discuss departmental policies and which classes to take (or not take) while abroad.
Make an appointment with the CIP. Contact us at studyabroad@sju.edu to schedule an advising appointment to discuss your program in greater detail, review SJU policies and procedures and discuss any specific questions or concerns. Please note that students will not be able to complete the application until they have had this advising meeting.
Obtain (or renew) a U.S. Passport. The process can take 4-6 weeks and you will need your passport before you can apply for a student visa, which some counties require. If you already have a passport, make sure it is valid for 6 months beyond the return date of your program. For detailed instructions, visit the U.S. State Department website.
Start planning your budget. Meet with your financial aid advisor to discuss how your study abroad plans will affect your current financial aid package. Discuss study abroad scholarships with the Center for International Programs. Talk to your family about program expenses, the cost of living in your host country and what you hope to accomplish while abroad.
Complete your application. Per the SJU Semester Abroad Policy, a limited number of applications are approved on a first-come, first-serve basis. Early applications are encouraged (once the CIP has announced that the cycle is open).
Know that the CIP office is here to help you and your family through the study abroad process, however, we do require students to take responsibility for meeting the deadlines and expectations provided to them in order to prepare for a successful semester away from Hawk Hill.

Questions to Ask During the Planning Process

About the Program:

What kind of off-campus experience am I looking for? Domestic, abroad?
Do I want a program with a specific academic theme or focus?
Will I be able to do an internship?
Will I be able to pursue my research interests?
Are there opportunities for service learning or volunteerism?

Eligibility Requirements:

Is there a language requirement?
Is there a major requirement?
Is there a GPA requirement?

Academics:

What are my academic goals?
Do certain programs have a specific academic focus?
Do I want to earn major and/or minor credit?
What are the policies of my major/minor department with regard to earning credit?
Does my academic advisor support my plans to spend a semester or year abroad?
Does the program allow students to take the combination of courses I want to take?
How will my work be assessed?
Will I be able to study a language and if so, at what level?

Culture:

What are my expectations with regard to cultural integration and assimilation?
What opportunities do I have to meet local people?

Location and Housing:

What regions of the world match my academic interests?
Do I want to be in a large city or in a more rural setting?
Where do students on the program live — dorms, apartments, homestays?
With whom will I be living — a local family, local students, other international students?
What opportunities will there be for travel (in-country and in the region)?

Types of Programs

You can choose from the following study abroad programs:

Semester or Year: The CIP offers 30+ approved/affiliated semester or year-long study abroad programs in countries such as Italy, Japan, South Africa, Spain, Australia and Chile. Students with a valid academic need can also petition for a non-approved program.
SJU Summer: Students who aren't able to spend an entire semester or year abroad can opt for a faculty-led summer program in countries such as Greece, South Africa, China and Italy. The CIP plans, coordinates and implements all aspects of summer programs, which all have a course component taught by Saint Joseph's faculty.
Non-SJU Summer/Winter: Students who are interested in another location also have the option to go on a summer or winter abroad program that's not sponsored by Saint Joseph's.
Study Tour: Study tours are semester-long courses with a short-term period of group travel, taught by SJU faculty and led along with a tour coordinator. and tour provider/organization. Study tours are available in multiple disciplines and go to several destinations each year.

Study Abroad FAQs

You should start researching their studying abroad plans as soon as possible. We recommend attending a general information session during your freshman year. There are many program options and many details that need to be discussed so it is best to plan in advance.
No. Any major can benefit from a study abroad experience. The key is planning early! We recommend discussing your study abroad interests with your Academic Advisor and with a member of the CIP staff during your freshman year so that we can assist you with planning. If a semester abroad is not possible for you, we can also help you find a short-term program like an SJU study tour or summer program.
Yes. Per the Semester Abroad Policy, the minimum cumulative GPA requirement is 2.5. However, it is important to note that many of our approved/affiliated programs have a higher GPA requirement, with some up to a 3.0.
You are permitted to study abroad for a semester or year as second-semester sophomores, juniors or seniors. For many students, junior year is the best time due to major/degree requirements. However, other majors require that students remain on campus for junior and senior years; in that case, the second semester sophomore year might be the best time. This is a conversation you should have with your Academic Advisor, and perhaps the CIP as well. Also, if you are considering study abroad during your senior year, you will need approval from the Academic Associate Dean.
Saint Joseph's University currently maintains a list of 26 approved/affiliated semester abroad programs in 17 different countries around the world. However, this list may be updated as the University deems necessary.
If you can't find a program from the approved list that meets your academic needs, you have the option of submitting a petition to the CIP to request approval to attend a non-approved/non-affiliated program. This can be a lengthy process and requires extra preparation on your part. Before beginning a petition, please schedule an appointment with a CIP staff member to discuss the non-approved program that you’re interested in and the steps to petition.
All Adult Learner students have the same program options as the full-time, day students. However, your selection of courses may be different and this could affect your choice of program. As part of the application process, we will require a letter of recommendation (e-mail would suffice) from your Academic Advisor listing the courses that you plan to take while abroad. In addition, it is important to note that you will be expected to enroll as a full-time student while abroad and pay the regular SJU tuition costs, as per the Study Abroad Policy.
For a spring semester study abroad program, the application deadline is generally September 15th or October 1st (depending on the program). For a fall semester abroad and an academic year abroad, the deadline is generally February 15th. However, some programs have earlier deadlines and/or fill up quickly. Furthermore, the CIP will only approve a limited number of SJU students for study abroad each semester. For all of these reasons, early applications are encouraged. Please note that the online application typically opens in mid-January for fall/year study abroad and in late August for spring study abroad.
No. The CIP can only accept one application per student at a time. However, if you are concerned about your chances of being accepted into a study abroad program, please schedule an appointment to meet with a member of the CIP staff to discuss your options.
Earlier planning facilitates a smoother process. Use the extensive network of resources available to you — your Academic Advisor, the Academic Advising Center for your college and the CIP. In addition, you can find the list of pre-approved courses with SJU equivalencies on each program page on our program portal. This will help you map out which courses to possibly save for study abroad and which ones to take at Saint Joseph's. In general, we suggest that students find a program that complements their major and offers some classes to complete major requirements. It is also a good idea to save your free electives for study abroad.
Yes. Most programs on our approved list offer courses in English. However, if you are studying in a country where English is not the primary language spoken, we strongly suggest taking a course in the host language so that you can try to communicate with locals.
It depends on the type of program that you choose and your destination. Students participating in a semester or year abroad program are required to remain enrolled at SJU and continue to pay SJU tuition while abroad. Your entire financial aid package (loans, scholarships, grants) remains in effect. You will be responsible for all non-tuition fees associated with your semester abroad, and those expenses will vary by program. Budget sheets with estimated program costs can be found on each program page on our program portal. We also encourage students and their parents to review the "Financing Study Abroad" page of our website.
The majority of the application process is online. To apply, please go to the "Program Search" page on our program portal. From here, you can see a list of all available study abroad programs or you can conduct a search on various program identifiers (city, country, GPA requirement, language of instruction, housing offered, etc.). Once you have selected the program you wish to apply to, click "Apply Now" from the program brochure page. This will prompt you to log in with your SJU information (if you're not already logged in), and then you will be taken to the appropriate application process.
Once you’ve submitted your online application, we will review it and check your grades and disciplinary status. You will receive an admissions decision by email within two weeks' time. Some programs require a separate, external application. We will inform you of this through your CIP application and provide you with instructions.
If you are studying abroad for a semester or year, or if you are participating in an SJU study tour or summer program, all grades you earn abroad will count towards your cumulative GPA and they will show up on your SJU transcript.