Study Abroad Programs
Southern Illinois University - Carbondale

Study Abroad Home - FAQ

Why study abroad?

In addition to developing relevant career skills, participants learn about other cultures and languages, gain a new perspective on life in America, and learn about themselves. All of this takes place in a completely different academic environment with different expectations. It is a challenging experience, but one that participants would not trade for anything.

Who goes?

Instead of staying with the comfortable, familiar surroundings of SIUC, many students look abroad to further their education. Students from every SIUC undergraduate college have studied abroad, from Applied Arts to Science. Graduate students, as well as those from the Schools of Law and Medicine, have also taken advantage of our many overseas opportunities. Like most SIUC students, the typical study abroad student relies on financial aid to fund their education.

Where do they go?

We have had students on every continent. Europe, Japan, and Latin America are the most popular locations. SIUC offers opportunities in over 40 countries, including at least one in every Western European country and more being added each year.

What is available?

SIUC offers everything from intensive two week seminars, mostly in the summer, to an academic year abroad. The summer programs are led by SIUC faculty and explore such topics as the origins of civilization, architecture, mass media, social work, the African Diaspora, health education, languages and the arts. Semester and year opportunities normally take place at a host university abroad and may feature a foreign language background. We offer exchanges, a semester at Salzburg College, a semester in Wales, and a variety of consortia programs.

How do I do it?

Contact Study Abroad Programs, Room B233 Northwest Annex, SIUC,
Tel: 618-453-7670 Email: studyabr@siu.edu
We have some forms available online, but you should contact us to let us know you are interested.

How much does it cost?

It largely depends on the program. In most cases, your current financial aid applies. The cost of an ISEP exchange is based on the tuition fees, and room and board at SIUC, including break periods.
Scholarships are available for many programs.

Will the credits transfer?

All of our programs are accredited, and your credits will transfer back to SIUC. However, only your academic advisor can confirm how the credits apply to your specific major.

What kind of language skills do I need?

Most programs are in English. However, we offer programs in several languages at various skill levels.
If you want to improve your skill in a language, where better to improve it than in a country where it's spoken? You can learn German in Germany, Japanese in Japan, French in France, etc. You have the opportunity to take beginning to advanced language classes while in an environment where you can practice the language everyday. You can also enroll in regular classes taught in languages other than English if you are proficient in that language.

Do I qualify to study abroad?

Most of the programs are designed for students who have experienced at least one year at a university. Many programs require a GPA of 2.5 or higher. The more competitive programs require a 3.0 GPA. Language requirements vary per program. See the above question about language.

What do the different program types mean?

There are four basic types of programs: Summer Programs, Semester Programs, Exchanges and Consortia Programs.

Short-term Programs

These programs enable you to study abroad for a short period, typically during the summer term. They are generally between two to four weeks long and focus on a specific topic. Students and community members may participate. These programs are taught by SIUC faculty or through a cooperating university. The deadlines for these programs vary, but are usually around January-February. They usually have limited enrollment, so apply early! See our Summer Programs page for more information.

Semeste/Year Programs

These are programs usually offered in cooperation with overseas institutions. For example:International Studies in Austria, and the Semester in Wales. Students may study abroad for a semester or year. If you qualify, chances of placement are excellent. All courses are taught in English. See our Semester Programs page for more information.

• Bilateral Exchanges involve a relationship between SIUC and a single overseas institution. The conditions and application dates will vary depending on the specific exchange agreement.
• The Utrecht Network is a group of European universities which exchange with SIUC. In this case, students pay the equivalent of SIUC tuition and fees; all other expenses are covered directly by the participant. Applications are due by February 15 for the first round of placements. Applications will be accepted after these dates on a space available basis.
• The International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) is a group of universities from all over the world which exchange students with SIUC. With ISEP, the student pays a charge based upon SIUC tuition, fees, room and board and then switches places with a student who has done the same thing at their home school. Applications are due on September 1 at the latest for placements beginning the following spring semester and on January 15 for the following fall semester. Applications will be accepted after these dates on a space available basis.

Other questions

If you have a question which we have not addressed here, please ask us by phone or email. We are happy to answer your inquiries. Our contact information is at the bottom of the page.