Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity all college students should experience if feasible. Although the idea of traveling away from the Palouse wheat fields on your own can seem scary, there is a lot about the process that can make leaving the 509 a breeze.
Going abroad is hard!
The first and most important thing to know is that WSU and the staff here want you to go. The Carson Center has an advisor whose job is to help students figure out how and when they can go abroad. Additionally, at the bottom floor of Bryan Tower is a Global Cougs office that hosts daily info sessions to help students learn about the best program for them. Learn more about Global Cougs here.
But isn’t it expensive?
Finances can often deter students from even looking into the idea of studying abroad; however, the cost can often be similar to what you are currently paying as a student. With the availability of transferable scholarships, financial aid, and dozens of scholarships, finances should not be holding you back if you put in the work and fill out applications on time.
I think I might get homesick!
Don’t want to spend a whole semester in a foreign county? No worries, WSU offers winter break, spring break, and summer opportunities to get the same experience but for a shorter timeframe. “My time abroad was just long enough to get the experience but short enough to not miss home. I was able to gain a sense of independence as well as fully immerse myself in the culture,” states WSU junior Emily Wilkins, who spent summer 2019 on a faculty-led study abroad experience in Ireland.
The process is designed to encourage and help you every step of the way. All the information and resources are there to make this process as seamless as possible, you just have to be proactive enough to make it happen. Although we all are diehard Cougs, it’s ok to leave the wheat-covered Palouse to discover what else is out there.
TYPES OF STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS
- Exchanges are programs in which you directly enroll at a partner university for a semester or year. The Carson College partners with top business schools around the world.
- Study abroad opportunities are provided with the assistance of third-party organizations that work with WSU and universities abroad. Study opportunities could span a summer, semester, or full year.
- International internships provide you a way to gain valuable experience abroad and earn academic credit. Internships abroad can range from two weeks to one year.
For more information about study abroad programs, contact the Carson College of Business Center for Student Success (Todd 101) or Global Learning (Bryan Hall 105C)