Study Abroad Resources for Students

Semester/summer students generally arrange housing directly with universities or program providers. You will select a housing option prior to your departure.

Depending on the host program, you may choose between a homestay, a dorm, or an independent apartment.

Many universities and programs require student to live in housing arranged by the program. In most cases, housing fees are paid by the student directly to the university or program provider.

We recommend that you find a housing option that maximizes integration into the host culture, whether through living with a local host family or with local students.

Meal options will also vary. You may find yourself eating 3 meals a day with your host family, have on-campus dining hall options, or cook for yourself in a dorm or apartment.

Lodging and most meals are coordinated for you and included as part of the program cost.

Students on faculty-led programs typically stay in a hotel or apartment.

You may stay in more than one type of accommodation during the program.

The students and faculty leaders are housed in the same lodging location.

The Study Abroad Office receives student transcripts from host institutions and programs, which may take up to three months after a summer or semester study abroad program ends.

Your transcript is then sent to the WSU Registrar, which will enter grade information into your DARS.

If you have any financial hold from the host institution, your grades may be delayed.

Study abroad grades are calculated in Transfer GPA and the Cumulative GPA.

Courses taken abroad that count towards a major will be included in the Major GPA calculation.

Grades from faculty-led program courses are due during the term in which the program took place.

These grades are calculated in your GPA just like courses taken on the WSU campus.

The U.S. Student Fulbright program offers English Teaching Assistantships in around 75 countries – and you may not need an education background or knowledge of the local language to apply.

Several foreign governments run programs that hire Americans to teach English to children and adults, such as:

• Austria: U.S. Teaching Assistantships
• Chile: National Volunteer Center
• France: Teaching Assistant Program in France
• Japan: Japan Exchange and Teaching Program and Interac
• Korea: English Program in Korea
• Spain: North American Language and Culture Assistants in Spain
• Thailand: Teach Thailand Corps

There are also organizations that will place you in another country to teach English for a fee, such as CIEE.

Or explore your options through job board resources like the ESL Café.

Graduate study in other countries is possible, depending on your field.

• Tuition varies around the world, and some countries are considerably cheaper than the U.S.
• A master’s degree may take only 1 year in some places, and a PhD may be only 3 years
• Even in countries where another language is spoken, certain universities may teach classes in English

There are several highly competitive scholarship programs that you may apply for:

• Fulbright: Options for study or research in over 140 countries around the world
• Boren: For studying languages and cultures of interest to U.S. National Security
• DAAD: For study, internship, and research in Germany
• Marshall: For advanced degree study at any public university in the UK
• Rhodes: specific to Oxford University
• Schwarzman: For a master’s degree in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in China
• Yenching: For a master’s degree in China Studies at Peking University in China.

The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals is a unique scholarship for study/work experience in Germany with:

• 2 months of language
• 4 months of academic coursework in your field
• 5 months of internship in your field

Previous knowledge of German is not required.

International Professional Work
Finding paid professional employment abroad can be a challenge, unless you have specialized skills that make you qualified for a work visa application. A good place to start learning about how to do this is Transitions Abroad. Transitions Abroad offers articles, paid and unpaid work and internship opportunities, volunteer organizations, and resume advice.

Working Holiday Jobs
For students seeking temporary work, there are services like Bunac. Bunac is a fee-based service that will secure a “holiday maker” work visa for you and help you find temporary employment in about 14 different countries, usually for jobs like summer camp counselors, bartenders, or hotel staff.

Organic Farm Labor
WWOOF  is a membership organization facilitating organic farm labor in exchange for room and board in 130 countries around the world. Membership costs are minimal, and there are no additional fees from the organization.

Volunteer
There are also organizations that will place you in another country for various volunteer needs in development for a fee. Check out organizations like Princeton in Asia/Africa/Latin America.

Peace Corps
The Peace Corps offers volunteer opportunities abroad. The 2-year commitment gives you the opportunity to get to know a community in-depth while promoting mutual understanding between Americans and your host country. The application process is competitive, so it is best for you to apply as early as possible.