Study Abroad Basics

Study abroad participation depends greatly on faculty involvement. In your capacity as an advisor and mentor, you are in a special position to encourage students to study abroad. You might want to discuss the benefits of studying abroad in your classrooms, from how it will transform them as a person, as well as a student, to how it will deepen their knowledge of both the world and their academic field of interest and provide them practical skills necessary to be a global citizen.

Students can study abroad for a summer, semester, or year through three types of programs:

ISEP - Direct programs: FMU participates in the International Student Exchange Program, which offers several semester, year, and summer options.  These programs allow students to study at a host university overseas. Students will receive a transcript from the host university and courses will transfer to FMU.

Affiliate programs: Students may participate in other semester or summer program options with prior approval.  In these cases, the student will enroll in courses overseas at the host university. 

Group programs: FMU offers programs for small groups of students each year, usually in the summer or winter. Program length varies; most are between 1 (one) and 4 (four) weeks.  Some are credit bearing; topics and number of credits depend on the length and program focus.  Programs may be offered at various overseas destinations.  Students who cannot study abroad for an entire semester may be good candidates for this option.

Credit Transfer

For most students, making sure that they can maintain progress towards their FMU degree is one of the key factors in deciding whether or not to study abroad.  Students will inevitably ask you about how they can get credits for studying abroad, etc.

With faculty advisor approval, courses taken abroad may fulfill major, minor, and general education requirements. Faculty advisors are asked to review course descriptions and determine how courses taken abroad might be applied towards a student’s degree plan. Students should present to you the course descriptions and syllabi.  You are asked to sign the Transient Permit Form to indicate how the course will count toward the student’s degree program.  If the course is not approved to count toward major, minor, or general education requirements, it will count as a general course toward the total number of credits needed to obtain the degree.

Benefits of Study Abroad

The benefits of study abroad are well-documented.  Students who study abroad often develop teamwork and analytical skills, an ability to tolerate ambiguity, an ability to manage finances, intercultural communication skills, language skills, problem solving skills, flexibility, and independence.  Students may not see the connection between study abroad and their future career, so it is important emphasize these “soft” skills that are so vital to success in the workplace and highly valued by employers.

To see more about the benefits of study abroad, please visit the following web pages:

Generation Study Abroad: Why Study Abroad

Are we Prepared for the Jobs of the Future?

Financing Study Abroad

Many students think that studying abroad is too expensive.  The truth is that the cost varies depending on the location and length of program.  Some programs cost about the same as a semester at FMU, while others may costs more or less.  It is important that faculty encourage students to explore financing options, including scholarships.  In particular, the Gilman scholarship offers up to $5,000 for students who receive a Pell Grant.  Faculty are encouraged to serve as Gilman selection panelists so they may learn about the competitive application process. More information can be found at www.iie.org/gilman.