WHY SHOULD I STUDY ABROAD?

• Get a Job: Studying abroad makes your resume competitive. A recent study by IES Abroad found that their alumni “earn higher starting salaries and land jobs sooner than the general college-graduate population.”
• Learn a Second Language: Living in a non-English speaking country is the best – and easiest – way to learn another language.
• Obtain Valuable Intercultural Skills & Global Perspective: Living in, and adapting to, another culture helps you to gain experience that can be applied anywhere you live, including the Twin Cities.

WHY DO I NEED TO THINK ABOUT THIS NOW?

• Early planning is beneficial. Creating a four-year plan with your advisor in the next semester will help you determine the best time to study abroad, particularly for majors that might have a sequential curriculum (e.g. Engineering or Biology).
• Some courses are easier to find overseas. Courses that allow for flexibility (i.e. your history core requirement or electives for your major) should be saved for your semester or year program to allow for the greatest range of program choices.

BUT, I CAN’T STUDY ABROAD BECAUSE…

• I can’t afford it.  The cost of studying abroad is usually comparable to on-campus costs at St. Thomas. Your grants, loans and scholarships can be applied to the program fee for semester and year-long programs. Study abroad scholarships are also available.
• My major won’t allow it. St. Thomas offers study abroad programs for every major.
• I don’t speak a second language. English-language programs are available throughout the world in non-English-speaking countries.

START THINKING ABOUT SEMESTER AND YEAR-LONG STUDY ABROAD

Laura’s Biology/Psychology Semester in Capetown, South Africa

John’s Business/Spanish Semester in Seville, Spain

Jamie’s Communication & Journalism Semester in Gold Coast Australia