Education Abroad

Study abroad is the opportunity to live and learn in a new culture and earn academic credits. Study abroad challenges a students' comfort zone and allows them to understand ways of life in other cultures and, as a result, attain a deeper level of understanding about U.S. culture.

These days, students need to be flexible and able to understand people across cultural barriers. Study abroad presents a unique path towards acquiring these capabilities by allowing a student to experience deep immersion in another culture. Students develop an appreciation for diversity and communication that is extremely valuable in an increasingly globalized workplace. Additionally, international experience is becoming more valuable to companies and employers that expect to do business or have customers or patients of multiple cultures.

All students in their sophomore year and up are capable of going on a study-abroad trip, be it long-term or short-term. Students must have a 3.0 cumulative GPA , and no existing or pending conduct sanctions for their term abroad. Students who have as low as a 2.7 GPA or existing or pending conduct sanctions are eligible to fill out the relevant forms to request that these conditions be waived. Quinnipiac University has the ability to permit these waivers at its sole discretion.

The first thing you should do is attend a Study Abroad Information Session. These sessions are mandatory for all students who want to go abroad, and contain valuable information on our policies and procedures, and some general options for destinations. Once you have attended a session, talk with your academic adviser about course planning and the OMGE about some destinations more specifically tailored to your interests. Use the Study Abroad Portal to find and research our pre-approved programs.

You shoulder consider: your major, the cost of the program, your preferred type of setting (rural/urban, centralized/scattered), and your language ability, among other factors that may or may not be relevant to your personal situation. Speak with the OMGE for more advice on what to take into consideration.

At most of our affiliate institutions in non-English speaking countries, students will be required to take local language fluency courses to better facilitate their membership in the community. Language fluency is not required, but a student should take into consideration how understanding they might be of language barriers. Certain programs in Spain and France have special tracks available for students highly fluent in Spanish or French.

Full-term students abroad are required maintain full-time student status, a minimum of 12 credits. These credits often translate into four classes taken while abroad. Prior to all semester-length programs, students will plan their courses with their academic advisors and have their credit transfers approved by the associate or assistant dean of their school.

• Ensure that your parents are comfortable about your destination and choice of program.
• Include your parents in the decision-making process, and keep them informed as to how this will affect your academic standing and serve as a learning experience.
• Discuss finances with your parents. While abroad, it is highly unlikely that you will be able to find legal employment, and work study does not transfer with the student. All other financial aid can be applied to study abroad. Work with your parents to examine your financial state, craft a budget, and plan accordingly.