FAQs

Research programs you are interested in at the International Education Website and/or the Study Abroad Resource Center - 4th Floor Snell Hall. Use these resources to find out when the program is offered (summer only, every term and semester), the program setting (size of city, size of university, surrounding area and travel opportunities) and what courses are offered.

Meet with an advisor in the Office of International Education and Outreach

Schedule an appointment by calling 737-3006. The advisor can answer your questions regarding further site specific information, financial aid and scholarships, and the application process.

Application

Take note of application deadlines. Each program has a specific application deadline. Deadlines are typically six months before the start of the program.
Applications typically include recommendation forms, essays, and college transcripts. Plan to start your application one month before it is due.
Programs have separate application forms. Application forms are available in on the 4th floor of Snell Hall.

Final Course Selection

Research specific courses that would be offered at the foreign university during your time abroad. Find out what a course load is for students at the foreign university.
Consult your academic advisor to find out what courses might count towards your degree. Provide your advisor with a course description for each class you wish to take.

Why is adding an international dimension to my academic program at OSU important to consider?

Global competitiveness is a national concern.
No education today can be complete without a strong global component.
There is an urgent need in the United States to produce graduates who understand and appreciate foreign cultures, and languages.
By adding an international dimension to your academic program, you will be giving yourself a competitive edge that will open doors in your professional and academic future.
Many students find an international experience to be one of the most rewarding aspects of their college life.
Read more about 2006: The Year of Study Abroad

What are my options when looking at international opportunities?

Study Abroad: While these programs are diverse in content, focus, location and structure, studying abroad involves taking academic courses overseas at a university or program sponsored site. Professors may be country nationals or Northwest faculty, courses may be taught in a foreign language or English, the focus may be on language learning or another academic discipline and programs range in size from two to 40 students participating.

Internships: Professional work overseas for a length of three to six months allows you to gain practical skills in your area of study. Internships are generally more independent in nature than a study experience and allow for continued growth in language proficiency. Students work full-time and are assigned projects within the office or organization.

International Degree: This unique dual-degree program allows you to integrate an international focus into your primary academic major through additional coursework, language study (through the fourth year), study, internship or research overseas and a senior thesis. Students graduate with two degrees; one in their primary focus (business, agriculture, history) and a second in international studies. International Degree students take advantage of study abroad and internship opportunities offered through the OIE and may also design a research project or an independent study experience that is in line with their interests.

How do I choose the program that is right for me?

Consider your academic interests and goals. You will need to work with your academic advisors and the staff in the Office of International Education and Outreach to help you identify the program that is right for you. Some important considerations include:

Start planning now. Begin to plan at least six months in advance of going abroad. Give yourself time to research programs and talk to advisors and students who have gone abroad to the site(s) you are interested in. It is never too early to start planning.
Set goals. There are many excellent study abroad programs and international internships -- the best one for you depends on what you want. If you plan to study abroad, one important consideration is whether you want to study a language or focus on earning credits that count towards your degree.
Prioritize your goals. Consider your long-term academic and professional goals, as well as your on-campus degree requirements. Study abroad courses may count toward courses in your major, while internships give you elective credits that count toward the 180 required for graduation, as well as giving you a valuable professional experience.
Prepare academically. You may need to take language or other prerequisite courses for your chosen program. You should also talk to your academic advisor about the timing of when you take sequences or single-term courses related to progress in your major. IE3 Global Internships are open to juniors and seniors, while students can study abroad as sophomores.

What kind of credit can I earn overseas?

Students who participate in OSU sponsored programs earn OSU credit that can be applied towards their degree program. In order to determine what academic requirements can be met through overseas study, its important to work closely with your academic advisor as you select a program and decide at what time in your academic career an overseas program best fits. Students participating in an IE3 Global Internship earn academic credit through their academic department.

Can I use my OSU financial aid when I participate in a study abroad or internship program?

YES!! Students who participate in an OSU sponsored study abroad or internship program can apply their OSU financial aid to the cost of the program in almost all cases. The OIE submits a revised budget to the Financial Aid Office that reflects the costs of the program you select. Students remain enrolled at OSU and complete their courses or work overseas.

Is it more expensive to study abroad than to stay in Corvallis?

It depends. Costs for study and internship programs vary and are calculated based on OSU tuition, living costs, and a small administrative fee. Every attempt is made to minimize program costs. In almost all cases, your OSU financial aid is applicable to OSU sponsored programs. For a few programs, special scholarships are available.

What are the prerequisites to study abroad? Prerequisites vary by program. Many programs allow students to go overseas as early as their sophomore year, while some require junior standing. Programs in non-English speaking countries may require anywhere from two terms to two years minimum of a foreign language at the university level. There are a number of programs available that do not require previous foreign language skills. Students must be in academic good standing to participate in overseas programs (GPA requirements vary by program).

Will I get behind in my degree program by going abroad? Depending on your major and the amount of planning you've done for an international experience, you can graduate in four years. Other students commit to spending more time at OSU to complete a year abroad or an international internship. Planning ahead is the key to easily integrating a study or internship experience into your time at OSU. In addition, many colleges have study abroad programs specifically designed for their majors to ensure that students continue to progress towards their degree. Internships and some study programs are available over the summer term.

Where will I live during my study abroad or international internship program?
Housing arrangements vary by site. Students have the option to live with families, in university residence halls or in private apartments with other students depending on the program.

Do I have to speak a foreign language? No. In addition to programs that require previous foreign language experience, OSU offers study abroad and internship programs in English-speaking environments and language intensive programs that require little or no previous language study. Though studying a second language does increase the international opportunities available to a student.

What are the requirements for the International Degree?

FOUR ID REQUIREMENTS:

International Experience
Second Language Proficiency
ID Core Courses
ID Senior Thesis

What do I gain by becoming an International Degree student and adding a second major with an international focus?

The International Degree allows you to design an academic major that internationalizes your primary degree by adding language, international experience, classes with an international focus, and a thesis. Working with advisors in your department and in the International Degree Program, you can plan an academic program that reflects your individual background, interests, and goals and prepares you very effectively for graduate or professional programs, or positions within government or industry.

When can I do an IE3 Global Internship?

IE3 Global internships are open to juniors, seniors and Master's level students.

Can I do an IE3 Global Internship to complete an internship requirement for my major?

With the approval of their academic advisor, many students have participated in an IE3 Global Internship to fulfill the internship requirement for their major (Fisheries and Wildlife, Political Science, and Public Health, for example).

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