Colleges and Universities encourage all students to consider studying abroad. The benefits of study abroad are often life changing, therefore a student’s successful experience is a key goal of most study abroad administrators. Unfortunately, not all students are prepared to study abroad. In order to improve a student’s changes of success, colleges have implemented a set of standards.
At this point you may be asking yourself the important question: Am I Eligible to Study Abroad? Yes, you are eligible to study abroad at most colleges and universities if you meet the minimum eligibility requirements established by your college that includes a GPA of 2.0 to 2.5 or higher, minimum tenure as a student at the college of one semester or more, good academic and disciplinary standing, and demonstration of maturity and ability to succeed while studying abroad.
Following are a few specifics concerning your eligibility to study abroad.
Complete Application and Meet Deadlines to Study Abroad
The first thing to do to determine your eligibility to study abroad is to pick up an application to study abroad at your home college, or the college you plan to attend when you study abroad. If you prefer, most colleges with study abroad programs have a website that allows you to download an application, or fill out an application online.
Second, ask for a list of deadlines you are required to meet. This will be your roadmap to determining all the activities you will need to accomplish to reach your goal of studying abroad.
The following two tasks will be on your list of deadlines, so you may want begin laying the groundwork early.
Consider the most likely candidates that you hope will agree to submit a letter of recommendation on your behalf. Most colleges suggest current or former teachers, professors, mentors and/or employers. The person selected should know you and your goals and should be able to communicate in a letter your abilities, skills, and qualifications to be a candidate for a study abroad experience.
College Admission and Tenure for Eligibility to Study Abroad
In order to be eligible to study abroad, most colleges require you to be an active, enrolled student of the college. Some colleges stipulate that you must be at the college one successful semester, while others require one year (or two semesters) of tenure at the college. also, if you have recently graduated from the college, you may not be able to apply for a study abroad experience.
There are some exceptions:
Many state-supported college and university systems allow enrolled students in their home college to attend study abroad experiences sponsored by other colleges or universities within the system.
Another example of an exception that you must be a current student of a college so be eligible for study abroad is if you are an incoming freshman student at a a college or university that offers a Freshman Study Abroad Program for incoming freshmen.
Transfer Students are also often an exception. Some colleges allow transfer students to participate in study abroad programs immediately upon acceptance to the college combined with a successful study abroad application.
Many colleges require transfer students to complete at least two semesters at their previous college or university. In addition, some colleges require the student to be at least a junior, a degree-seeking student, and fulfill all other study abroad program requirements. They must meet the GPA requirement and may need an additional reference from their previous college.
Often the student may be required to attend the new college for at least one semester before qualifying for study abroad.
Check the website of the college you plan to attend and see if their transfer requirements are listed. If not, call the college’s study abroad office. They will be glad to discuss your situation and offer you help.
GPA Minimums for Eligibility to Study Abroad
For most colleges, you will need to have a cumulative GPA of 2.5 or above in order to be eligible for a study abroad program. If your current GPA does not meet this threshold, most likely your home college will allow you to still apply, but they may require you to offer additional supporting documents explaining why your GPA is below 2.5, as well as an in-person meeting with a study abroad advisor to discuss your situation.
The documents may include an essay that explains the reasons your GPA is below 2.5 and how you plan to raise it to an acceptable level in the near future.
There is stall a chance your college will grant you a little grace and allow you to proceed with your study abroad dream if your GPA is between 2.0 and 2.5, but I wouldn’t count on it.
Also remember, an eligible GPA alone does not prove your eligibility for study abroad. Administrators are also interested in your overall academic standing. Academic advisors are consulted on your potential for success. You may be required to meet with an advisor or a team of advisors in your specific department or school within the college. They often must give their approval before you can move forward. For example, if you have a declared major or minor in Biology, an advisor in the school or college of biology may be required to sign off your application to study abroad.
Students on academic probation should discuss any desire to study abroad with their academic advisor and the Study Abroad Program office. They can help you determine a satisfactory path off of academic probation and on track to a study abroad opportunity.
Major and Minor Alignment with Study Abroad Eligibility
The Study Abroad Office may require you to declare your major before accepting you into the program. Once your major is declared, the specific study abroad program and destination often must align with your major plans so that the appropriate earned credits can apply to your academic major.
If you are approved for a study abroad program and then choose to change your major, notify the study abroad office as soon as possible to ensure that you will still earn the appropriate credits for your new major. You do not want your hard work count for nothing academically once you return to your home college.
Demonstration of Maturity and Ability to Succeed
Study abroad administrators also gauge a candidate’s eligibility to study abroad based on a demonstrated level of desire, maturity, preparation, and evidence of responsibility.
A brief meeting will often help a study abroad advisor understand a student’s level of intellectual curiosity and independent thinking, understanding of the cultural and academic realities of studying abroad, and demonstrated social and interpersonal communication skills necessary for success.
Please understand that study abroad is not right for every student, and it is important to make this choice when you are ready. Study abroad staff will make the final determination based on their perceptions of you and your ability to convince them that you are responsible, stable and capable of leading a safe and healthy life in the foreign country you have selected for your study abroad experience.
Language Requirement to Determine Eligibility to Study Abroad
If you will be studying in a country in which English is not the official language spoken in the classroom and in other related areas, expect a couple of additional requirements. One, you may be asked to demonstrate a certain level of mastery of the language. If you are not adequately prepared, then you may be required to enroll in a defined number of language instruction courses to improve your language skills of the host country. Once you have proven a certain level of mastery, your program can begin.
Potential Disqualifying Violations
After determining the minimum eligibility requirements, there are a couple to items that will automatically preclude you from attempting a study abroad program. Those items are:
- Academic probation
- Active disciplinary probation.
The Study Abroad Office at most colleges determines a variety of potentially disqualifying violations of school policy.
For example, if you have a conduct, housing, or other policy violation, Study Abroad administrators will examine the record to ascertain the circumstances of the violation. A personal statement may be required to help fully explain the violation. A meeting may also be required with a Study Abroad Advisor. The result will determine your acceptance into the Study Abroad Program you have selected. You may be required to satisfy the Study Abroad Team of your willingness and actual recovery of your academic or disciplinary standing. Unfortunately, most colleges will refuse to approve an application for study abroad if the disciplinary action is assigned during the term requested. An appeal process is usually available to the student at most colleges.
Conclusion
Remember that a successful outcome following your application process and personal interviews will be dependent on your ability to convince the study abroad staff of your successfully answering two prime questions in their minds.
1. Do they believe you have the ability to lead a safe and successful study abroad program?
2. Will you serve as a proud and positive representative of the college or university during your study abroad program?
If the answer to both questions is yes, then congratulations. It’s almost time to pack your bags.
Related Questions
Do I have to sign any other documents?
Yes, most study abroad programs require students to sign a student agreement. You will be required to abide by the terms and conditions of the agreement. Pay special attention to the disqualifying terms within the agreement so that you do not lose out on your opportunity.
Who is the best person to ask for a letter of recommendation?
The best person to ask for a letter of recommendation is a teacher or professor that believes you have the personal and academic chops to engage in a successful study abroad experience in a foreign country.