Basic Facts on Study Abroad in the 21 st Century

Examine Your Educational Choices

Students going abroad today have a wider choice of programs than ever before. The prevailing model just a couple of decades ago was the “junior year abroad”, in which students spent an academic year on a foreign university campus taking classes primarily in the humanities and social sciences.

Times have changed. Students of business, engineering, marine biology, and other disciplines can now find academic programs overseas, and students in all fields can choose programs of varying length, ranging from a semester or quarter to part of a summer or even to a three- or four-week “interim” session offered between semesters. Students can choose to study independently through direct enrollment in a foreign university or participate in a U.S.-sponsored program in which teaching methods and course expectations are similar to those at home.

While most advisers encourage students to stay abroad as long as possible in order to maximize cultural and academic benefits, they also recognize that short-term programs may be the preferred option for some. Short-term programs are especially appealing to students with employment constraints or family obligations which preclude their participation in programs of longer duration.

Many factors may influence your choice of program: course content, location, language proficiency, your financial situation, your degree requirements, and the amount of time you have available, to name just a few. Keep these factors in mind as you evaluate the program models below.

Enrolling in a program sponsored by a U.S. college or university
The majority of undergraduates participate in study abroad programs organized by their own institutions, or by other American colleges or groups of higher educational institutions. Academic credit is most easily arranged in this way, and most forms of financial aid can generally be applied to program costs. Hundreds of academic year, semester, quarter, and summer programs are available. Program sponsors usually make some or all of the academic, housing, and travel arrangements for students.

Direct exchange agreements between U.S. and foreign universities often create opportunities for students to study abroad individually rather than with a group of fellow students. These opportunities usually involve a minimum of support on site.

Enrolling in a program sponsored by an organization other than a college or university
Several not-for-profit and proprietary (for-profit) organizations, both American and foreign, sponsor study abroad programs. Some of these organizations have agreements with colleges and universities that allow students to be registered on their home campuses. Other organizationsindicate that academic credit is available or transferable but expect students to arrange or verify the credit themselves. Be sure to investigate your school's policy as well as the policy of the program you are considering.

Enrolling in a special program for international students at a foreign university
Language and culture programs designed for foreigners enable U.S. students to interact with students from several other countries. Some programs sponsored by foreign universities are especially designed to meet the needs of English-speaking students, with courses offered in English as well as the language of the host country. In addition, increased academic mobility and exchange in Europe in the 1990s resulted in the development of English-language study programs designed for students from other countries; some of these may be available to U.S. students as well. Credit does not transfer automatically from foreign universities and in some cases is not transferable. If you plan to enroll in such a program, be sure to discuss credit transfer with your adviser.

Enrolling directly in a foreign university as an occasional or special student
Undergraduates can enroll independently in some foreign universities as occasional or special students, similar to taking classes in this country as a nonadmitted or part-time student. Credit does not transfer automatically from foreign universities and in some cases is not transferable. Be sure to discuss credit transfer with your adviser if you are considering this option.

Enrolling directly in a foreign university as a degree candidate
Many motivated students have returned to the United States with degrees earned from prestigious universities abroad. American students who want to earn a foreign degree should plan especially carefully. Since educational systems vary, no foreign degree is exactly equivalent to a U.S. degree. American higher educational institutions may not accept either credits or degrees earned overseas. In addition, foreign degrees may not meet U.S. licensing and employment requirements.

Universities in many countries consider their undergraduate academic level comparable to graduate education in the United States. They only admit American students who already have a bachelor's degree. The reason for this restriction is that secondary school education is often more advanced and intensive abroad. A foreign secondary school graduate may have the same academic preparation as an American student who has completed two or more years of college. Some foreign universities accept U.S. undergraduates only after they have completed their sophomore year.

If you plan to earn a foreign degree, learn as much as possible about the educational systems of the countries that interest you. The length and nature of study required to earn a foreign degree vary from country to country — and sometimes within a country. Eligibility requirements and application procedures vary from institution to institution, just as they do in the United States. Information may be available electronically on the World Wide Web, or you can write directly to institutions for information and instructions.

Students planning to enroll directly in a foreign university should find out from the institution about laws or regulations affecting international students. Several countries have quotas for the total number of foreign students admitted by their universities, especially for those studentsenrolling for a degree. Quotas sometimes include total or partial restrictions on foreign student admission to fields such as medicine, dentistry, the sciences, and law. Restricted fields sometimes change from year to year.

Enrolling in a U.S. or international college abroad
These schools, which follow the organizational model, credit system, curricula, teaching methods, and degree programs of U.S. institutions, fall into three categories:

• Overseas campuses of U.S. colleges and universities

• U.S. colleges abroad that admit both American and foreign students. Some have U.S. accreditation, and some are applying for it. Be sure to check on the accreditation status of the college that interests you, as it may affect the transfer of credit.

• Asian and Middle Eastern institutions founded by U.S. organizations. These schools provide American-style education for the people of their countries. They are not American schools; rather, they form part of the higher education system of the host country. You may be able to enroll in these institutions as an international student, although some have quotas for U.S. citizens.

Participating in an internship or service-learning project
U.S. colleges often include internships or service-learning projects as part of the educational experience of foreign study. Internships offer practical learning experience in governmental, professional, or field settings and are usually developed in the student's major field of study in consultation with faculty advisers. Service-learning opportunities are often carried out in developing countries where students can assist governmental and community agencies on projects directly benefiting local communities. Internships and service-learning projects often carry academic credit, although this should be confirmed in advance.

Participating in a summer study abroad program
Studying abroad during the summer vacation offers a great opportunity to combine vacation travel with study. American and foreign higher educational institutions sponsor programs that offer diverse approaches to learning and frequently feature program-related travel as well as academic course work. Many specialized institutes abroad focus on the art, language, and culture of their home countries and offer short-term programs to U.S. nationals. The latter type of program is often open to people of any age and may range in length from three weeks to three months.

Pursuing a specialized course of education abroad

• Graduate study . U.S. graduate students may be able to enroll independently at foreign universities, generally for short-term study or research. In addition, some American colleges and universities sponsor graduate programs abroad or admit graduate students to their undergraduate programs overseas. Graduate study and research abroad can play an important role in defining career objectives and in determining lifetime research interests. U.S. academic advisers can be of great help in introducing graduate students to professional networks in other countries and in helping students avoid pitfalls, such as choosing research topics that cannot be pursued effectively in given countries or choosing fields of study for which quotas exist.

• Independent study . In contrast to the traditional classroom setting, some U.S. colleges and universities offer independent study arrangements, in which the student pursues an in-depth study or research project in a selected field or on a special topic. The student accepts responsibility for completing the study or conducting the research, with fulfillment of requirements evaluated by a faculty adviser on the student's return to the home campus.

• Medical study . Students planning to undertake medical study abroad should find out whether the programs in which they plan to enroll are acceptable to American authorities. Graduates of medical schools outside the United States, Puerto Rico, and Canada must be certified by the Educational Commission for Foreign Medical Graduates (ECFMG) before they can be appointed to a U.S. residency program. U.S. residency is required for licensing in almost all licensing jurisdictions.

For a listing of organizations and publications offering information about study options abroad, please refer to the Resources for Students and Advisers sections: Organizations and Publications.