Choosing a Program

Following are some factors you should consider when choosing a study abroad program.

Timing and Length of Program

MU students study abroad in their sophomore, junior, and even their senior years. Given the demands of the application process, all students should begin researching a program at least one full semester, or more, prior to the study abroad application deadline. Experience has shown that with advance planning, students in nearly all MU departments are able to study abroad without delaying graduation. For example, in majors where courses are sequenced, studying abroad during one's sophomore year may be the best option. If you think you may be interested in overseas studies, begin looking into program options now.

Program Features

Exchange - Programs that allow a limited number of MU students to study at a foreign university for a cost that is comparable to full tuition and fees at MU. Exchange programs are often the most affordable options for study abroad, but do require a great deal of independence on the part of the student. Often students must navigate matters from registering for courses to finding housing with little assistance from the host university.

Internship - Programs that consist of a significant internship (for credit) opportunity. Internships generally are not paid.

MU Faculty-Led - Programs that are led or accompanied by an MU faculty or staff member.

Program Sponsor Type

The MU International Center provides information on three types of programs. These programs vary in the degree to which MU exercises oversight, their cost, and the extent to which your MU financial aid will apply toward each.

MU International Center Programs

• Administered by the MU International Center
• Some programs are jointly administered by the International Center and an MU department. These programs will show up on searches for both sponsor types.
• Most programs allow students to pay MU educational fees.
• In most cases, students are able to use all MU financial aid to cover the cost of the program (please check with the MU Office of Financial Aid for specific details).

MU Departmental Programs

• Programs primarily administered by MU academic units (e.g. CAFNR, College of Business, and the School of Journalism).
• Some programs are jointly administered by the International Center and an MU department. These programs will show up on searches for both sponsor types.
• Designed to enable students in a specific academic discipline to complete specific MU coursework toward their majors abroad.
• Certain programs are open only to students in a particular college/school, while others are open to all MU students. Contact the departmental program coordinator for more information.
• In most cases, students are able to use all MU financial aid to cover the costs of the

Partner Programs: Programs run by universities or organizations with which MU has cooperative agreements.

• Costs are generally higher than MU educational fees since the universities or organizations running these programs provide a number of on-site support services.
• In most cases, students are able to use all MU financial aid (please check with the MU Office of Financial Aid for specific details)
• Many Partner Programs offer special scholarships to MU students!
• Contact your MU Study Abroad Program Coordinator and the sponsoring institution to obtain more information.
• Complete the MU Partner Program application and all application documents required by the sponsoring university/organization.

Non-MU - Programs run by universities or organizations not affiliated with MU.

• No guarantees on applying financial aid. Check with the MU Office of Financial Aid office for details.
• Review Assessing a Non-MU Study Abroad Program sheet (also available in the Resource Room).
• Contact sponsoring university or organization for more information.
• Apply directly to the sponsoring university/organization.
• Complete the Non-MU program application and return it to the MU Study Abroad Advisor.
• Note: After acceptance, be sure to complete all MU paperwork from the International Center in order to maintain enrollment at MU.

Requirements

Each program has its own set of criteria for participation. Please review the program brochures for sites in which you are interested. Following are general guidelines:

• Academic standing: Applicants for study abroad must be in good academic standing. In general, students with a 2.75 GPA are eligible for most MU and MU Partner programs. However, a GPA of over 3.0 may be required for more competitive programs. Similarly, a student with a GPA below 2.75 may be eligible for study abroad if he/she has compensating strengths.
• Language level: If the language of instruction at a particular site is not English, students must have reached a level of linguistic proficiency sufficient to pursue course work at the host institution. This generally means that students must have completed at least four semesters of language study at the college level. Shortly after the application deadline, students are interviewed to determine whether or not they have attained a level of language proficiency that will permit them to succeed in a foreign academic setting.
• Academic Advisor and Dean's Approval: Some MU colleges/schools have specific policies regarding credit transfer. It is the student's responsibility to be aware of these.
• Orientation and Program Evaluation: All MU students who are accepted to a study abroad program, including students on MU Partner Programs and Non-MU programs, are required to attend the MU general orientation session prior to departure. MU and MU Partner Program participants are also required to attend a culture-specific orientation session; Non-MU Program participants are invited to attend these sessions. Orientation sessions are designed to impart vital academic, administrative, and cultural information, and to prepare students for what is often a difficult cultural and academic adjustment. Many overseas universities/programs also offer on-site orientations. Upon return to MU, students are requested to submit written evaluations of their study abroad programs.