Study Abroad Programs
Semester or Year Programs
The Center for International Programs (CIP) offers students 31 approved/affiliated semester or year-long study abroad options. Each program is unique and will offer something different in terms of size, academic offerings, housing, student experience, eligibility requirements and cost. It's important to consider all of these factors and to carefully research your options before making a decision. Not every program will be the right "fit" for every student. We encourage you to use the "Advanced Search" feature on our online program portal to help navigate and narrow down the options. In addition, students with a valid academic need can also consider petitioning for a non-approved program.
Please also be sure to review the Semester Abroad Policy, our FAQs sheet and some information about the application process before getting started.
Featured Programs
The American College of Greece: Located on a breathtaking hillside at the edge of Athens, an American-style, 64-acre campus offers an ideal setting to study in Greece: modern classrooms, the ACG Library, with extensive print, online and audio-visual resources, and the College’s athletic facilities, including the FIFA designed soccer field, the Olympic-sized swimming pool, indoor and outdoor courts and fitness and exercise studios. With three schools — the School of Liberal Arts and Sciences, the School of Business and the Frances Rich School of Fine and Performing Arts — and over 1,000 courses offered each year, there is a wide variety of subjects to choose from, such as business, fine arts, humanities, social sciences, communication and environmental studies.
The American University of Rome (AUR): Established in 1969, the American University of Rome (AUR) is one of the oldest degree-granting American universities in Italy. AUR attracts students from over 40 countries, though the majority of the student population (a total of about 600) is made up mainly of visiting American students. Classes are small and highly personable, taught by an experienced and international faculty. Popular course offerings include art and art history, business, communications, film and digital media, international relations, Italian studies and social sciences.
Sophia University: Saint Joseph's University has a direct exchange with Sophia University, our fellow Jesuit institution in Tokyo. Tokyo provides an amazing backdrop for a yearlong or spring semester study opportunity. Students from Saint Joseph's are considered exchange students at Sophia and will be eligible to enroll in the program of study in the Faculty of Liberal Arts and, on a space-available basis, and in other Sophia faculties for which they are linguistically and academically qualified.
SJU Summer Programs
We realize that not every student will be able to spend an entire semester or year abroad. Therefore, we offer multiple short-term options, including faculty-led SJU summer programs, which are unique study abroad programs designed to introduce you to other countries and cultures as you live and study abroad for one month. The goal of a summer program is to offer students from any major who may not have the flexibility to spend a semester abroad but want a longer immersion than a study tour. It is great for student-athletes of those considering taking summer credit.
The Center for International Programs (CIP) plans, coordinates and implements all aspects of SJU summer programs. The courses are taught by Saint Joseph's faculty from a variety of academic disciplines and departments, and a coordinator (appointed by the University) is available during the length of the program.
Featured Programs
SJU Greece Summer Program: Enroll in SOC 270 (Identity and Economic Crisis within the Cradle of Democracy) with Dr. Susan Clampet-lundquist or PSY 212 (Multicultural Psychology) with Dr. Josephine Shih and travel to Athens, Syros, Santorini and Crete.
SJU Rome Summer Program: Known as "The Eternal City," Rome holds some of the orld's most important monuments and archaeological sites. Professors will use "Rome as a classroom," and many learning experiences will take place while visiting historic landmarks and museums.
SJU Africa Summer Program: This summer program in South Africa offers students an opportunity to study the culture, economics and politics of pre- and post-apartheid South Africa through lived experiences. Students will get to learn in Johannesburg, South Africa's largest city, which is home to nearly 8 million people. Please note: This program is currently not accepting applications for summer 2022.
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An SJU Summer Program is a month-long academic course offered by SJU faculty during the summer. The course is held in one of four locations: China, Greece, Rome or Chile. Academic learning takes place on-site, with require pre-departure meetings and assignments that help prepare students for the immersion experience. Summer programs are designed to give students a longer immersion experience to other countries and cultures than study tours.
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Any student who is not on academic or disciplinary probation may enroll provided that they received academic advisor approval and have met course prerequisites. There is no GPA requirement. CIP recommends that students meet with their academic advisor to make sure that they have met pre-requisites (if applicable) and to talk about GEP or academic program requirements.
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Summer programs always take place during the summer months. The programs begin in May, June or July, and last one month. In addition, students will be required to attend pre-departure meetings during the preceding spring semester.
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All students must take the summer program courses for credit. Students cannot enroll in a study tour course “for the travel portion only.” This means you must register for the course for which you will get a grade and pay tuition. Once you register, your SJU account will be billed for both tuition and travel expenses.
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There is a program fee for all summer programs that covers airfare, lodging, site visits, insurance, some meals and more. Program fees vary based upon location. Students are also charged summer tuition at the undergraduate or graduate rate.
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Prior to departure, students complete reading and assignments that help them prepare for the upcoming travel. They meet with their professor and classmates occasionally during the preceding spring semester to prepare for the class and travel. Students must also attend a mandatory pre-departure meeting and a mandatory health and safety meeting by the CIP. Here, students receive important information on their itinerary as well as tips for traveling related to topics such as packing, currency and much more. They also receive information on emergency procedures and health and safety issues among other topics. See the Health & Safety page for more information.
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If Saint Joseph's cancels a program, the $300 deposit is refundable. However, if the program runs and a student decides not to participate, the deposit remains non-refundable. Depending on when a student withdraws their participation in the program, there will also be other program fee withdrawal penalties.
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Yes. CIP offers grants to several summer program participants. Students must be full-time degree-seeking undergraduates applying for one of the SJU Summer Programs. Please see the application for more information. The grant committee will select students based on merit, need, and an essay shortly after the summer programs deadline has passed. Students should also check with academic departments for any scholarships they may have available as well.
Students can search for outside funding at the following search engines: IIE Study Abroad Funding, GoAbroad.com, International Scholarships. -
After the program fee has been posted to the student's account, the program fee can be paid online just as one pays their regular tuition. You may also pay by check made payable to Saint Joseph's University and sent to the Office of Student Accounts. Please be sure to include the program in the ‘memo’ section of the check. The program fee can be paid all at once or in installments adhering to payment deadlines. If a student has any questions regarding Summer Program payments, they should contact the Office of Student Accounts at 610-660-2400.
Non-SJU Summer/Winter Programs
If you are interested in a summer or winter study abroad program in another location, please carefully review the Non-SJU Summer/Winter Study Abroad Procedures, which vary greatly from the policies and procedures for SJU-sponsored summer and winter programs.
Finally, if you have any questions or concerns about studying abroad over the winter or summer term, please make an appointment with a CIP staff member by emailing studyabroad@sju.edu.
Study Tours
Each year, Saint Joseph's students have many opportunities to gain international experience. One way that students are able to do so is by participating in an SJU Study Tour. A study tour is a semester-long course taught on Saint Joseph's campus, which includes a short-term period of group travel designed to introduce students to other countries and cultures by bringing to life what is being learned in the classroom.
Saint Joseph's offers study tours in multiple disciplines and to several destinations each year to allow a variety of students to participate. The courses are taught and led by SJU faculty with logistical coordination provided by the Center for International Programs, a tour coordinator and a tour provider/organization.
The goal of a study tour is to offer students from any major who may not have the flexibility to spend a semester abroad the chance to learn more about other cultures and countries. We hope you will consider joining Saint Joseph's faculty as they lead our students abroad on these fascinating programs! You can also find more information about our study tours by attending an info session and reviewing the study tour policy.
Program highlights include:
- Meetings with business leaders, companies, NGO's, government organizations
- In-depth & hands-on learning bringing the classroom to life
- Excursions to noteworthy historical sites
- Pre-paid & pre-arranged accommodations for all travel
- Travel with SJU faculty and classmates
Featured Programs
Contemporary Cuban Politics & Society (POL 337): Students enrolled in POL 337: Contemporary Cuban Politics & Society in spring 2022 with Dr. Richard Gioioso will visit Havana, Matanzas and Santa Clara in this study tour. Please note: This study tour will travel to Cuba from May 23-31, 2022. Apply by November 15, 2021.
Fair Trade Coffee in Costa Rica (SOC 316): Students enrolled in SOC 316: Fair Trade Coffee Study in spring 2022 with Dr. Keith Brown will travel to Costa Rica to trace the path of fair trade coffee beans as they are grown in a co-op and reach a consumer's cup in the U.S. Please note: This study tour will travel to Costa Rica from May 24-June 1, 2022. Apply by November 15, 2021.
Northern Ireland: Conflict & Story (ENG 451): During this study tour, students enrolled in ENG 451: Northern Ireland Conflict & Story in spring 2022 with Dr. Ann Green will explore the long history of religious conflict and attempts at reconciliation in Northern Ireland. Students will stay at Corrymeela Community, Northern Ireland's oldest peace and reconciliation organization. Please note: This study tour will travel from May 24-June 2, 2022. Apply by November 1, 2021.
Topics in French - La Bourgogne (FRE 370): Students enrolled in Dr. Kristin Burr's FRE 370 Topics in French: La Bourgogne course in spring 2022 will travel to the Burgundy region of France to learn about the history and culture of Burgundy. Students will explore Dijon, the capital of Burgundy, as well as Fontenay, Vézelay, Beaune, Alesia, Guédelon Castle and Autun. Please note: This study tour will travel to France from May 22-June 5, 2022. Apply by November 15, 2021.
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A study tour is an academic course offered by SJU faculty combined with a required short-term travel component. The course is held on campus, primarily during the spring or fall semester. Study tours are designed to introduce students to other countries and cultures.
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Any student who is not on academic or disciplinary probation or deferred suspension may enroll provided that they have received academic advisor approval and has met course pre-requisites. Some study tours may have participation restrictions such as class year, course pre-requisites or GPA.
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It varies. Some tours are spring courses with travel over spring break or travel in May. Others are summer courses with travel in May or June. Occasionally there are fall courses with travel in January.
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Most last 7-10 days, while others may last only a few days or even two weeks.
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All students must take the study tour courses for credit. Students cannot enroll in a study tour course “for the travel portion only.” This means you must register for the course for which you will get a grade and pay tuition. Once you register, your SJU account will be billed for both tuition and travel expenses.
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Students interested in gaining international experience may be unsure as to whether to pursue a study tour course or a semester, year or summer program. Here is a brief outline of some of the considerations. However, many students choose to have more than one type of international experience!
- Courses: Semester abroad students must get pre-approval to take courses overseas so that they will transfer back to SJU for degree requirements. When enrolling in a study tour, a student is registering for an SJU class, taught by an SJU professor who will both meet with the group on campus before and after the travel and who will lead the group in classes or site visits during the study tour.
- Immersion: Semester abroad is typically done during a fall or spring semester with the emphasis placed on the individual U.S. student enrolling in an overseas university or host program to take a full load of courses. Semester abroad allows students many months to immerse themselves in the host country, culture and language. A study tour is a short travel period designed for a group of students to visit one or several countries. Study tours will have class meetings on-site and students may engage in service learning or other experiences with host country nationals. Study tours move as a group from site to site quickly, with lots of bus, train and airport transfers in a short time.
- Housing: Semester abroad students may be able to live with a host family, with host country nationals, with other international students, or with other Americans in dorms or apartments (depending on their program). A study tour will typically have students living in dorms or tourist-class hotels.
- Free Time: Students who live in a host country for a year, semester or summer, will have time outside of classes to explore host city, culture and country or neighboring countries as well. For study tour students, the focus is on the group visiting the sites associated with the course, so there is less free time for students to do their own thing.
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There is a program fee for all study tours that covers airfare, lodging, site visits, insurance, some meals, and more. Program fees vary based upon location and length of stay.
If the academic course is part of the student’s full-time semester load, there is no additional tuition charge. Any financial aid or payment plans will apply. If the study tour takes place during the summer or is an overload course, the student is required to pay summer or overload tuition as well. -
Deadlines vary from program to program. Students applying for spring courses with spring travel will apply in the preceding fall semester. Students applying for fall courses with January travel will apply in the preceding spring semester. Please see each program for individual application deadlines. Please keep in mind that spaces are limited and will be reserved on a first-come, first-served basis. Some programs fill before the advertised deadlines.
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Prior to departure, students complete reading and assignments that help them prepare for the upcoming travel portion of the class. They meet with their professor and classmates throughout the semester to prepare for travel. Students must also attend a mandatory pre-departure meeting and a mandatory health and safety meeting by the CIP. Here, students receive important information on their itinerary as well as tips for traveling related to topics such as packing, currency, and much more. They also receive information on emergency procedures and health & safety issues among other topics. See the Health & Safety page for more information.
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If Saint Joseph's cancels a tour, the $300 deposit is refundable. However, if the tour runs and a student decides not to participate, the deposit remains non-refundable. Depending on when a student withdraws their participation in the program, there will also be other program fee withdrawal penalties.
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Yes. CIP offers grants to several study tour participants. Students must be full-time degree-seeking undergraduates applying for one of the SJU Study Tour. Please see the application for more information. The grant committee will select students based on merit, need and an essay. Students should also check with academic departments for any scholarships they may have available as well.
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After the study tour program fee has been posted to the student's account, the program fee can be paid online just as one pays their regular tuition. You may also pay by check made payable to Saint Joseph’s University and sent to the Office of Student Accounts. Please be sure to include the program in the ‘memo’ section of the check. The program fee can be paid all at once or in installments adhering to payment deadlines. If a student has any questions regarding Study Tour payments, they should contact the Office of Student Accounts at 610-660-2400.