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Study abroad is a unique and transformative experience that college students in any major should seriously consider. Programs come in all shapes and sizes—a semester or a year, a summer program, short-term faculty-led trips, even internships or service learning. Students can improve upon their foreign language skills, take courses in their field that are not offered by Westminster, or explore programs unique to their host institution. By studying abroad, students build transferable skills highly valued by employers, including communication, problem solving, critical thinking, independence, resilience, and cross-cultural competency. As anyone who has experienced it will tell you, the impact of study abroad is impossible to overstate.

More on the benefits and impact of studying abroad:

Any Westminster student that is in good standing may study abroad.

However, students must meet the requirements of their desired program or host institution (for year in college, major, GPA, etc.). Students who study abroad for a full semester or academic year generally do so during their junior year; summer or winter programs can fit into any summer or winter break; faculty-led travel courses can be attended at any point, barring any prerequisite or major restrictions.

In most situations, it is entirely possible for international students and non-citizen permanent residents to participate in study abroad. Consult the Coordinator of Global Education Services for details.

A study abroad experience can fit seamlessly into a four-year academic plan so long as students plan in advance and work with the Coordinator of Global Education Services (GES) and their faculty advisors. The first step is identifying a program that offers courses meeting both personal interests and academic needs. Course equivalencies are evaluated during the advising and application process, ensuring that students know which degree or major requirements they will be fulfilling prior to departure.

Study abroad can be an entirely affordable experience—though specific costs vary widely depending on the location, the type of program, and the scholarships or aid that apply. Westminster students on exchange programs use their current financial aid to cover tuition but pay other costs (room and board) to their host institution. All non-exchange programs are direct enrollment, meaning that students to pay all fees (including tuition, room and board) directly to their host institution or program provider.

Each year Westminster offers two competitive scholarships to cover qualified expenses for a semester or academic year abroad. There are several external funding opportunities to explore as well, including from the U.S. and certain foreign governments. Students applying to affiliated provider programs can also apply for those providers’ scholarships and grants. Even without any financial aid, students should note that colleges and universities abroad tend to be less expensive than those in the United States. In some cases, the total for tuition, room, board, and airfare is no more than a student might pay for a semester or year here at Westminster.

Whether scholarships and financial aid will apply depends on the type of program. When students participate in an active exchange program, they continue paying tuition to 51ÊÓƵ, and as such remain eligible to receive all financial aid (institutional, state, and federal) for tuition. Institutional scholarships cannot, however, be applied towards an exchange program’s non-tuition costs, such as room and board. Similarly, no institutional scholarships can be applied towards direct enrollment programs, affiliated or otherwise. Most program providers will accept federal financial aid, but students will need to contact them in regards to their policy, and Westminster cannot process federal or state aid for unaffiliated programs/providers.

Any external scholarships awarded for the express purpose of studying abroad, such as the Gilman Scholarship, can be applied towards program costs. Additionally, students who are in good standing and who specifically wish to pursue a study abroad experience in Europe, or the U.K. specifically, can apply for the Cranshaw and Piper Scholarships. These awards are competitive, as they cover a large portion of expenses.

Yes, credits will transfer as long as the host institution is accredited, the program is approved by the Office of Global Education Services, and the student completes the required Course Approval Form with their faculty advisor prior to departure. This form establishes Westminster equivalencies and credit values for courses to be taken abroad. Following study abroad program completion, a student’s transcript must be sent from the host institution to our Registrar’s Office for the appropriate courses to be added to their Westminster transcript. Because there are many study abroad programs designed for specific majors, and many institutions offering courses similar to Westminster’s offerings, there should be no reason that an intentionally selected course of study abroad would not count towards graduation requirements.

This depends on the program. Most of our affiliated programs offer instruction entirely in English. Even affiliates in non-English speaking countries—Hanyang University, the International College of Liberal Arts, Kansai Gaidai University, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore—have an international curriculum that is delivered in English, though some require enrollment in an introductory-level language course (or a higher-level language course, if appropriate) alongside other coursework. Programs that are specific to learning a foreign language will place visiting students in language courses appropriate to their level, from complete beginner on up. Non-language programs that are delivered in the local language allow visiting students to take classes side-by-side with locals and experience the deepest level of immersion. These programs, such as at l’Université Catholique de l'Ouest in France, typically require an upper-intermediate level of proficiency in the host language. In short, it is always a good idea and generally recommended to know a little of the country's language that you study in, but it is not required for most programs.

Many students hesitate to study abroad, or to do a full year abroad, because they do not want to miss a season of their sport or favored extracurricular activity. While understandable, study abroad is about trying new things—and in hindsight, returning students do not feel like they missed out. If anything, those who do one semester only regret that they didn’t sign up for two. That said, university-based study abroad programs are highly likely to offer opportunities to play in recreational sport leagues (or with local clubs), participate in music or theater, and join academic or social organizations. If you are a member of Greek Life, you may even find networking and social opportunities in various global cities through international alumni chapters.

It’s never too early to start. The earlier students begin exploring study abroad options, the more likely they are to find a program that aligns with their personal and academic goals, and the more time they will have to work on fulfilling any prerequisites. Additionally, starting the planning process early gives time to explore scholarships that may make studying abroad much more affordable. In general, students should begin planning a minimum of one year in advance to identify programs of interest and consult with faculty advisors on how to fit study abroad into their academic plan.