PLANNING YOUR ADVENTURE-
WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?
WHAT’S AT THE STUDY ABROAD CENTER?
• A LIBRARY FULL OF THINGS YOU NEED — In the Study Abroad Center, you’ll find information on all
sorts of study abroad programs, work abroad, and internships abroad for pay or for academic credit. You can
research ISU programs as well as thousands that are available to you through other U.S. universities. Want to
apply directly to a university overseas? We’ve got dozens of catalogues from colleges and universities in other
countries as well as references to help you find schools anywhere in the world, inter-cultural information, and
sources of scholarships for studying abroad.
• SHELVES OF TRAVEL INFORMATION — The Study Abroad Center Library has row upon row of books,
pamphlets, maps, and videotapes of destinations around the world. Most are available for borrowing, and a
photocopier is also nearby. Display Kits with cultural artifacts, too!
• STAFF TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS — Our advisors have experience living, working, and studying
abroad around the globe. They can answer almost any question you can dream up, or they’ll know where to find
the answer!
• ACCESS TO THE WEB — Besides the videos and print resources in the library, there are computers from
which you can access the Internet. From there, the sky is the limit: find out about a program at another university,
research the State Department notes on the country you’re visiting, send e-mail to a program coordinator at another
institution. Popular sites are bookmarked for quick access.
• GLOBETROTTER - The Globetrotter database on the Study Abroad Center’s website will help you find out
what’s being taught where and in what language. Want to find biology courses taught in French, business classes
in Mexico, or English literature taught in the summer? Globetrotter will get you the answers in no time at all!
• PASSPORT ASSISTANCE — Application forms for new passports, as well as for renewing your old one, are
available online at http://travel.state.gov/passport/index.html A photographer is available several hours a day to
take your photo for your passport, your visa, or your International Student Identity Card. Need a visa? We’ll help
you locate the nearest Consulate so you can get the necessary forms.
• APPLICATION FORMS — Want to apply for a study abroad program? Need a Credit Transfer Approval?
What about the Sojourner Scholarship application? We’ll show you how to find these on our website
(www.iastate.edu/~study-abroad). And we’ve got the resources to help you obtain the applications for literally
thousands of study abroad programs offered through other U.S. universities.
HERE’S WHERE I’LL KEEP TRACK
WHY STUDY ABROAD?My most important reason for going abroad is:
WHY NOT STUDY ABROAD?Here’s what’s still holding me back:
WHAT KIND OF PROGRAM?This is the kind of program I want:
WHAT WILL I STUDY?Here’s what I want:
Major:Minor:Language:Electives:Practical experience:
HOW DO I PAY FOR IT?I can probably afford: -Non-resident costs, plus some
-Non-resident costs
-Resident costs, plus some
-Resident costs
-Enough for a short-term program
WHY STUDY ABROAD?
• HAVE AN ADVENTURE — Here’s your chance to trek through the rainforest, trace the steps of the Beatles,
or ski the Swiss Alps. You’ll make memories to last a lifetime as you see new places and experience cultures
you’ve only read about.
• PUT SOME SPARK IN YOUR STUDIES — Biology comes alive at the Great Barrier Reef or in the forests of
Finland; American History takes on a whole new look in Europe, Asia, or Africa! Whatever your field, get a fresh
look at your major or take courses you just can’t get in Ames.
• GET SOME LANGUAGE SKILLS — What better way to learn a language than by immersing yourself in it
every day? You’ll get a new perspective on the world as you get acquainted with people and a culture you never
thought you’d experience.
• IMPRESS YOUR FUTURE EMPLOYER — Studying abroad can give you the skills employers want, such as
problem-solving, flexibility, maturity, confidence, independence, and the ability to work and play well with others.
• CHALLENGE YOURSELF — Make new friends, try a new language, get out of the same old routine.
Whatever your motive, you’ll be surprised at the changes you’ll see in yourself.
WHY NOT STUDY ABROAD?
• IT’LL DELAY MY GRADUATION! Nope, not if you plan it right; in fact, some students have graduated
early by studying abroad! You can take courses in your major, fulfill elective requirements, even add a minor
while you’re abroad if you plan ahead and plan wisely.
• HOW WILL I AFFORD IT? The good new is that you probably CAN afford it! Exchange program costs
are based on ISU tuition; group program prices are based on the actual cost involved, with every effort to keep
charges as low as possible. In addition, all credit-bearing programs are eligible for financial aid, and
scholarships are available.
• BUT I’LL MISS MY FRIENDS HERE! Sure, you’ll miss the gang in Ames, but you’ll be making lots of new
friends, too. Or, why not persuade your friends to study abroad with you!?
• WHAT ABOUT THE LANGUAGE BARRIERS? Even if English is the only language you know, you can still
study abroad. Many programs, even in non-English-speaking countries, teach courses in English. Or you can
make use of your time abroad to learn another language.
• WHO’S GOT THE TIME? There’s no better time than now to experience the world! Once you’ve
graduated and are working and dealing with other responsibilities, there’ll be little time for travel or study.
Programs range from one week to one year — pick the length that’s the best fit for you. Study abroad now,
while you can earn credit and use financial aid to help cover the costs (and while you’re still eligible for
student discounts)!
WHAT KINDS OF PROGRAMS ARE THERE?
• GROUP PROGRAMS — On most group programs, an ISU professor leads the group abroad and oversees
your academic work. Group programs range from one to eight weeks during a break (Spring Break, Winter Break,
or Summer) up to a whole semester. These are “non-integrated” programs, meaning you’ll be taught with other
ISU students and no students from the host country. On most group programs, you’ll earn ISU credits and take
courses designed especially for members of the group.
• REGENTS’ AND OTHER SEMESTER PROGRAMS — You’ll go to Wales, Ireland, or Australia with a
group of students from the Iowa Regents’ Universities or to New Zealand with other Iowa State students but will
take regular classes at the foreign university. These are “semi-integrated” programs, in which you’ll have an
orientation class with the other U.S. and international participants but take all your classes with students from the
foreign institution. Excellent student services are provided at your host school. You’ll pay a negotiated rate and
receive transfer credit.
• EXCHANGE PROGRAMS — You’ll take regular classes at a foreign university and pay tuition, and
sometimes room and board, at ISU. You’ll be abroad for one or two semesters and will earn transfer credit.
“Integrated” programs such as this require a little more independence!
• PRACTICAL EXPERIENCE — You can gain experience in your field while living abroad in another culture.
Choices include internships, student teaching, and study-and-work programs.
• WHAT ELSE IS THERE? — You can participate in programs organized by other U.S. or foreign schools, or
you can apply directly to a school overseas. The Study Abroad Center has plenty of information on other schools’
programs. In most cases, you’ll receive transfer credit and can use your ISU financial aid.
WHAT WOULD I STUDY?
• CLASSES IN YOUR MAJOR OR MINOR — See if there are short-term group programs in your field, or go
on an exchange at a university that offers courses in your major or minor. In some cases, you can pick up most of a
minor during a semester abroad!
• ELECTIVES — Go on a group program in an area of interest to you, or go on an exchange and take courses to
meet your elective requirements. The choices are endless!
• FOREIGN LANGUAGES — Start at the beginning or continue studying a language while you’re abroad:
French, Spanish, Germany, Mandarin Chinese, Russian, Korean, Japanese, or any other language that appeals to
you. You can study a language and culture intensively or, if you’re already proficient in a language, you can take
courses in your field taught in whatever language you speak.
• INTERNSHIPS/WORK ABROAD — Career-related experiences are available, too, either for academic credit
or for pay. Some study abroad programs offer a work component; the College of Engineering offers internships in
conjunction with a semester of study overseas. Explore other options in the Study Abroad Center Library.
HOW DO I GET CREDIT?
• ISU COURSES — Short-term group programs are really ISU courses, as are the Regents’ Language Programs
and some of the Spanish language programs, so all you’ll need to do is register for these as you would for other
ISU classes, after you’re accepted. Some courses are graded, others pass/fail; check with your program’s
coordinator to find out how to register.
• ISU SEMESTER OR EXCHANGE PROGRAMS — Are you going on an exchange or semester program, or a
short-term program that awards transfer credit? You’ll use a Credit Transfer Approval form, to be signed by your
academic advisor and the Registrar’s Office,. The credits earned abroad won’t affect your Iowa State grade point
average (GPA), but the grades won’t disappear; your transcript will be at the Admissions Office and your host
school, in case an employer or graduate school asks for it.
• NON-ISU OR DIRECT ENROLLMENT — If you’re enrolling directly in a foreign university or participating
in a program organized by another U.S. university, you’ll complete the “Application for Non-ISU Study Abroad
programs” available on the Applications page of the Study Abroad Center’s website. http://www.iastate.edu/
~study-abroad/Application/Application.html Your place at ISU will be held for you (no need to reapply for re-
entry). As with an exchange, a transcript from the host school will be sent to the Admissions Office.
• WAIVER OF LAST 32 CREDITS — Are you almost ready to graduate? You can still study abroad! Even
though ISU requires that the last 32 credits be earned on campus, that requirement can be waived if you’re
studying abroad. See your academic advisor for permission to do this.
HOW DO I PAY FOR IT?
• FINANCIAL AID — As long as your classes overseas are earning academic credit, most or all of your ISU
financial aid may be used to fund your study abroad experience. It doesn’t matter whether you’re on an ISU
program or one through another institution. Clay Gurganus in Student Financial Aid, 0210 Beardshear, can give
you more information on how your current aid package will apply, whether your aid package can be expanded, and
whether there are other sources of funding available to you.
• ISU STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS — We try to make it easier for you to afford your program! The
Study Abroad Center offers need-based Sojourner Scholarships for Summer, Spring, and Fall / Academic Year.
Applicants must have at least a 2.50 GPA. Download an application on-line at www.iastate.edu/~study-abroad/
• PUTZIER PRIZE — A memorial fund set up to help students going to non-traditional sites, the Putzier Prize is
a $500 award for a student studying outside of Europe or Australia / New Zealand on a program lasting at least 12
weeks. Deadline is April 15 each year. Students applying for the ISU Sojourner Scholarship for Fall /Academic
Year will be considered automatically; other students who meet the requirements can download and print an
application from the Study Abroad Center’s website.
• ROTARY INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADORIAL SCHOLARSHIP — Worth up to $25,000 for an academic
year of study, the deadline is April 1st each year. Students must be enrolling directly in an institution overseas and
must be planning to study for the entire academic year. Applications are due nearly two years in advance of your
year away and are available at www.rotary.org/foundation/educational/amb_scho/index.html
• OTHER FUNDING SOURCES — Numerous organizations and foundations offer funding for study abroad,
but it takes some digging to find them. The Study Abroad Center Library has information on funding for study
abroad (including Fulbright awards for graduate students) as well as a list of fund-raising ideas that have been used
successfully by students in the past.
• STUDENT DISCOUNTS — Several reputable travel agencies and discounters offer reduced airfare to
students. Discounted student health insurance is available, as well. Other student discounts (lodging, car rental,
etc.) are available to holders of the International Student Identity Card. Hostelling International offers its members
discounts on stays in hostels worldwide.
WHEN DO I DO WHAT?
• EXPLORE YOUR OPTIONS — Attend a General Advising session (Mondays through Thursdays at 4 p.m. in
the Study Abroad Center whenever classes are in session) and learn to use the Center’s library resources, and check
our website (http://www.iastate.edu/~study-abroad/) to choose a few countries and/or programs that look like they
might be what you want.
• MEET WITH A STUDY ABROAD ADVISOR OR PROGRAM COORDINATOR — Call us at 294-6792 or
stop by the Center (256 Memorial Union) to make an appointment with one of the advisors who is familiar with the
program and/or country that interests you. This will give you a chance to discuss what you’re looking for in a
program and what countries interest you and to get a better handle on planning your time abroad. The advisor will
also be able to suggest programs you may not have considered. If you’ve already chosen a program, make an
appointment with the program’s coordinator to clarify details and requirements.
• MEET WITH YOUR ACADEMIC ADVISOR — Discuss your ISU course requirements and the course
descriptions from the program you want to attend. Your academic advisor will help you make selections from what
is available at the host school so that your credits will best transfer back to ISU.
• APPLY FOR THE PROGRAM — Fill out the necessary forms from the Study Abroad Center website
www.iastate.edu/~study-abroad/application/application.html (for ISU programs) or those provided by the program
sponsor (if a non-ISU program). Read all the instructions carefully; not all applications are alike! Some will
require you to submit copies, too; don’t lose out because you didn’t read the directions!
• AFTER YOU’RE ACCEPTED — Now the real planning begins! Make sure you’ve completed the necessary
forms (Credit Transfer Approval, etc.) and applications (Sojourner Scholarship, etc.); check with the Study
Abroad Center if you’re uncertain. Get an International Student Identity Card from the Center or STA and start
looking for airfares and travel dates. If you’re earning your final 32 credits, make sure you’ve taken care of the
necessary waiver with your advisor. Get a passport, and check to see if you need a visa. Check the CDC
website www.cdc.gov/travel/ or contact the Travel Nurse at the Thielen Student Health Center to see if any
inoculations are required by the country to which you’re going. Attend the Predeparture Orientation courses.
Borrow travel books from the Study Abroad Center Library and prepare yourself for the locale and for meeting
the people.
WHERE CAN I DO WHAT? BY LANGUAGE OF INSTRUCTION
• STUDY IN SPANISH — Go to Tec de Monterrey in Mexico (summer intensive language program; semester
or academic year exchange); to Spain; to the Center for Bilingual and Multicultural Studies in Cuernavaca, Mexico
(semester intensive language courses); or on exchanges in Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Spain,
or Uruguay through ISEP.
• STUDY IN FRENCH — Be an exchange student at the University of Lausanne or EPFL in Switzerland; in
France or Switzerland through ISEP (semester or year); at the University of Laval in Canada; and through the
Regents’ Summer Language Program in France.
• STUDY IN GERMAN — There are exchanges in Austria, Germany, and Switzerland through ISEP including
semester and summer language programs in Germany.
• STUDY IN PORTUGUESE — Try Brazil through ISEP.
• STUDY IN ENGLISH — Go on semester-long programs through the Regents’ Semester in Wales or the
Regents’ Semester in Australia; in the Semester in New Zealand program; on exchange in Australia, Bulgaria,
Canada, China, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Fiji, Finland, Ghana, Hungary, Iceland, Japan,Korea, Latvia,
Malta, the Netherlands, Sweden, New Zealand, Thailand, and the United Kingdom through ISEP; on ISU
exchanges at Bogazici University; Brunel University; University of Exeter; Lancaster University; University of
Wales, Swansea; University of Helsinki; Norwegian University of Science and Technology; Swedish Royal
Institute of Technology; Curtin University, University of Melbourne; University of Canberra; University of
Queensland; Yonsei University; National University of Singapore; and on most short-term ISU programs.
• Or, learn a less-common language like Mandarin Chinese at NTNU in Taiwan or Korean at Yonsei University!
WHAT ELSE DO I NEED TO KNOW?
• PREDEPARTURE ORIENTATION — The Study Abroad Center offers Predeparture Orientation sessions for
students going abroad. These include information on health and safety issues, culture shock, and travel in general.
Other topics include packing (what to take and what to forget!), backpacking, sexual harassment, credit card use,
ATMs, and how to communicate from abroad. Check with the Study Abroad Center to see when orientation is
being offered. Also, see your program coordinator to learn all you can about what to expect and how to prepare for
your particular destination.
• STUDY ABROAD ISN’T —
• one big party or an excuse to travel.
• If a vacation is what you want, talk to one of the advisors at the Study Abroad Center or a local travel agency
about how to find a tour or other program that will better meet your needs.
• STUDY ABROAD IS —
• an academic adventure
• a great way to pursue your degree while abroad
• exposure to a different academic system
• new friends
• a chance to discover more about the world and about yourself.
SO, WHAT ARE YOU WAITING FOR?