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Frequently Asked Questions

Who is eligible to study abroad?
The study abroad program is open to all current engineering sophomores and juniors. In addition, Guatemala is also open to first-year students.  It is required that students be in good academic standing and have never been on academic probation.

Where can I go?
Currently we have summer abroad partnerships with universities in Spain, Germany, Iceland, Uruguay and Singapore, and there are humanitarian projects in Guatemala and Bosnia. We are in conversation with several other universities and will add their information to the website as we finalize partnerships.

How long are the study abroad programs?
The summer programs are approximately 6-8 weeks in length.

How many credits could I earn from study abroad?
You can earn up to 6 Engineering Elective credits (EID300). 3 technical credits are awarded for a technical report on your research project which should be a conference quality paper in content, organization and grammar. Submission of the technical report to a peer-reviewed research publication forum (workshop/conference/journal) is strongly encouraged. An additional 3 free elective credits are awarded for a cultural report. Note that the CE program does not have free electives, so only 3 credits count towards that degree.

The EE department policy on how the 6 credits will be applied can be found here. Note: EID300 (summer study abroad) requires EE Department approval IN ADVANCE if any credits are to be used to fulfill the non-technical elective requirement.

The ME department policy is as follows: For students in the Mechanical Engineering Department, 3 credits of the 6-credit EID300 (summer study abroad) course can be applied towards Engineering or Science Electives and 3 credits will be applied towards Free Electives. Under the consultation with the student's faculty advisor, the student may choose to apply all 6 credits of EID300 as free electives. 

How much will the study abroad program cost?
Applying students are eligible for Dean's Office Summer Abroad Cultural Immersion Fellowships which will cover the cost of travel, accommodations and program-related fees. The number of Fellowships awarded will not exceed the number of positions allocated to each program, based on partnerships agreements. Students will be responsible for the cost of food, health insurance (if applicable) and any personal travel outside of the program. 

Are there other options for funding?
Many funding resources are available to students interested in study abroad. A few examples are the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, DAAD and Freeman-ASIA. In addition, the Fulbright Program offers a wide variety of programs that are appropriate for students, faculty, and staff. To learn more about them, please refer to their website http://www.iie.org/fulbright.

Where will I live when I get there?
Housing arrangements may be in a residence hall or off-campus. Our partner institutions will work with you to explore options.  Students going to Guatemala will stay at the Barbara Ford Peace Building Center.

What submissions are required upon return from my travels?
A technical report and a cultural report are required from all students returning from study abroad. You must also meet with the writing center about your papers prior to submission. Requirements for the papers can be found in the EID300 syllabus.

Are there other resources out there that will help me to prepare for my study abroad experience?
Yes. Below are some helpful links.
State Department’s International Travel
State Department’s Students Abroad
US Embassy.gov
CIA World Factbook
CDC Travelers’ Health
StudentsAbroad.com

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