Who can participate in semester-long or year-long study abroad programs?
What is a short term study abroad program? Who can participate in short-term study abroad programs?
I would like to participate in a short-term study abroad program. Do I need to go to the Office of Education Abroad?
Are there any majors that can't study abroad?
When should I start planning to study abroad?
Do study abroad courses transfer to CWRU?
Will my study abroad courses be figured into my GPA?
There are so many options! How can I choose a program?
I want to study abroad in a program that is not listed on your website. Is this possible?
What courses should I take when I study abroad?
How does payment work for semester-long programs?
How does payment work for non-CWRU summer programs?
How does payment work for short-term CWRU programs?
Can I use my CWRU scholarships on study abroad programs?
Can I use federal financial aid for study abroad programs?
I’m applying for a visa, and it says I need an FBI background check. What is this and how do I get one?
What different types of study abroad programs are available at CWRU?
There are four main types of study abroad programs at CWRU: faculty-led, exchange, direct-enroll, and provider. Faculty-led programs are usually short-term (Spring Break, Winter Break, or Summer) and involve a CWRU faculty member that takes a group of students abroad to complete a course. Exchange programs are generally semester- or year-long and consist of a CWRU student studying at a university abroad with the assumption that a student from the university abroad will study at CWRU. Direct-enroll programs are similar to exchange programs except no students from the institution abroad are expected to study at CWRU. In provider programs, a third party (such as IFSA-Butler, Arcadia Abroad, or IES) handles many of the logistics for students planning to direct-enroll.
If you are interested in a nontraditional study abroad opportunity (such as overseas research or an internship abroad), please feel free to use our office as a resource for that as well.
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Who can participate in semester-long or year-long study abroad programs?
Sophomores and juniors in good academic standing (2.0 or above cumulative GPA) can participate in semester-long study abroad. Note that many programs require higher GPAs than 2.0, however. Because we believe freshmen should take at least a year to adjust to campus life, freshmen are not eligible for semester- or year-long study abroad programs. University policy states that the final 30 hours of coursework must be completed on-campus, so seniors who choose to study abroad for a semester or longer should note that they generally need to complete at least two more semesters on campus before graduation. (In some cases, there are ways to complete this requirement and still study abroad during one’s senior year; however, this is the exception rather than the rule. Students who wish to study abroad during their senior year should consult their advisors to see whether they can meet the senior residency requirement.)
Graduate students should consult their advisors before studying abroad on a semester-long program. It is not common for graduate students to participate in traditional semester-long study abroad, but sometimes overseas research opportunities are available for graduate students.
All judicial affairs sanctions (including probation) must be complete before a student can participate in any study abroad program.
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What is a short term study abroad program? Who can participate in short-term study abroad programs?
A short term program takes place outside the academic year (Spring Break, Winter Break, and summer). All graduates and undergraduates in good academic standing (2.0 or above cumulative GPA) can participate in short-term study abroad. All judicial affairs sanctions (including probation) must be complete before a student can participate in any study abroad program.
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I would like to participate in a short-term study abroad program. Do I need to go to the Office of Education Abroad?
If you’d like to participate in a short-term study abroad program but you aren’t sure which program is the best fit for your needs, the Office of Education Abroad is an excellent place to start. You can email Lisa Brown to set up an appointment. If you already know which program you’d like to participate in, you can contact the advisor for that program (listed on our website) and begin the application process.
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Are there any majors that can’t study abroad?
Absolutely not! CWRU has study abroad programs available for all majors.
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When should I start planning to study abroad?
We recommend planning for your study abroad program about a year in advance.
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Do study abroad courses transfer to CWRU?
Yes! All of your study abroad coursework can be transferred to meet major or minor requirements, breadth requirements, and/or electives.
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Will my study abroad courses be figured into my GPA?
No. You will receive credit for your study abroad coursework if you receive a C or better, but the coursework will not be figured into your GPA.
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There are so many options! How can I choose a program?
At CWRU, we strive to provide you with as many high quality programs as possible so that you can find a program that’s a perfect match for your needs. However, we know that looking at a long list of programs can be daunting!
Here are some things to think about when you’re trying to narrow down your options:
Academics:
- What do you hope to accomplish academically with your study abroad experience? Do you wish to take major requirements? Minor requirements? Breadth requirements? Electives? If you are hoping to take major or minor requirements, first narrow down your search by major.
- How comfortable are you with the idea of a different academic system? Are you the type of student that needs to hand in homework every day to gauge your progress, or are you comfortable with more independent learning? If this is a consideration for you, you may wish to research the academic system in the countries you’re considering.
- Do you want a traditional study abroad classroom experience, a research opportunity, or an internship?
Location:
- Is there a particular place in which you wish to study abroad? Our online system allows you to search by location.
- How comfortable would you be if English were not the native language of your study abroad destination?
- Do you prefer a larger, more cosmopolitan city or a more rural, traditional town?
Time:
- How long do you wish to study abroad? Programs range in length from one week to one year.
- Do you prefer to follow the US academic calendar, or can you be more flexible? Would it bother you to be overseas for certain holidays? If so, you may wish to compare programs by date.
Finances:
- How much do finances play a role in deciding your study abroad program? If finances play a large role, you may wish to consider an exchange program or a short-term program rather than a provider program.
- Consider also the living expenses in various destinations if finances play a role. While the cost of living is much higher in Paris than Cleveland, the cost of living in Bangkok is much lower.
Personal style and preferences:
- Are you an independent traveler, or do you prefer more direction? Exchange programs are excellent opportunities for independent travelers, while providers offer more logistical assistance to students who prefer more direction.
- Would you thrive or feel uncomfortable in a situation where you might be the only American in a program?
- Would you prefer to stay in a homestay, residence hall, or apartment?
Eligibility:
- Different programs have different GPA requirements. Do you meet the GPA requirement for the program?
- Do you wish to study abroad as a freshman, senior, or graduate student? If so, you may want to consider short-term study abroad. (See Who can participate in semester-long or year-long study abroad programs? above.)
- If applicable, do you have the required language skills for the program?
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I want to study abroad in a program that is not listed on your website. Is this possible?
It depends on the quality of the program and your reason for choosing the program. In many cases, it is possible to petition to participate in a program that has not yet been approved. See Lisa Brown for more information.
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What courses should I take when I study abroad?
You can take courses to satisfy major or minor requirements, breadth requirements, and/or electives. If you’re unsure of what to take abroad, consult your academic advisor.
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How does payment work for semester-long programs?
For all semester-long programs, you pay CWRU tuition. Note that the cost of the program does not affect the amount of money you pay for your tuition at CWRU. All other expenses (room and board, excursions, etc.) are paid to the institution / provider abroad. For all semester-long programs except for exchange programs, you need to bring a copy of your bill to the Office of Education Abroad so that CWRU can pay tuition to the overseas institution / provider. (In exchange programs, no tuition is levied by the overseas university, so this step is not necessary.)
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How does payment work for non-CWRU summer programs?
In summer programs, no tuition is levied through CWRU. You simply pay the overseas provider.
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How does payment work for short-term CWRU programs?
Upon applying for a short-term program, you will be asked to pay a $250 deposit with your application. The rest of the program fee is levied through your student account.
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Can I use my CWRU scholarships on study abroad programs?
In almost all cases, yes. The only exception is the summer term. During the summer, you cannot use your CWRU scholarships on your study abroad programs.
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Can I use federal financial aid for study abroad programs?
Absolutely. Simply contact Nancy Issa in the Office of Financial Aid for more information.
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I’m applying for a visa, and it says I need an FBI background check. What is this and how do I get one?
Information on FBI background checks can be found here: http://www.fbi.gov/about-us/cjis/background-checks
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