For many students, studying abroad in a foreign land seems like a fairy tale. It is only something to dream about. After all, tuition and fees, housing cost, transportation cost, program fees, visa and passport fees all add up to an amount that would take years to pay off. This is the exact mindset I had when I graduated high school. Study abroad was impossible for someone in my financial situation. How could I justify spending triple the amount of school tuition to travel to another country for only a few weeks or months? I dreamed of living abroad, but I had convinced myself that study abroad was not achievable for me.
Fast forward a couple years and I transferred to a university that required study abroad for engineering students. Suddenly, my graduation was dependent on traveling to another country. I had to figure out how to make the impossible (at least in my view) possible. So, how did I study abroad without breaking the bank? Fortunately, my university offered a program at one of their international branch campuses that made studying abroad affordable.
International branch campuses are a unique study abroad option available through only select universities throughout the world. An international campus is one where a foreign university owns a facility in whole or part in a host country, but operates under the same name as the foreign provider of education. Programs offered at these global academic centers vary from single courses to 4 year degree programs. Programs are affordable because students pay their home tuition to study in a foreign country. If you would like to learn more about this unique study abroad option and which universities have this to offer, please keep reading.
International Branch Campus Benefits to Students
With the rise of globalization, international experience is becoming more important for students. Luckily, many universities have come to this realization over the past couple of decades and partnered with foreign institutions to set up new facilities in order to expand their global outreach. International satellite campuses provide a unique, yet convenient option for enrolled students. The following section highlights the main reasons a student should consider studying at a global academic center.
The Cost is Affordable Because Students Pay Through Their Home University
The first and main benefit of this option is a student pays the same rate of tuition as if they were studying at their home country university location. The study abroad cost may still be alarming, but keep these facts in mind:
- Facility fees that a student does not have access to in their host country will not be included in their tuition. Examples include library fees, recreation facility fees, and building fees in the home country.
- The total cost of attendance will include housing for the duration of the program. Quickly add up your rent for 5 months (or however long you will be gone), add in the amount you spend on eating out and groceries, and you have a ballpark number. You may be surprised your numbers and the estimated cost of living abroad will be comparable.
- Meal plans could be included in the estimated cost to study abroad, whether you choose this option or not. Check with your school to gain more information.
- Planned excursions for visiting students are almost always offered. Oftentimes the price of these adventures are added into the program fees. So when you travel with the school, they will cover the costs of things such as visiting museums, transportation and a few meals.
- The numbers the university gives are ESTIMATES. Don’t take the numbers they give as gospel. Budget for the expense, but know that spending habits vary from person to person and you could end up paying much less than the estimated number calculated by the college.
- Health insurance may be included with the program cost. If not, you will need to add this to your budget.
Financial Aid and Scholarships Still Apply!
Nothing extra must be done, financial aid is applied in the same manner, as if you were studying on campus. The minimum 12 hour rule will still apply to be considered a full time student and to receive the full benefits of financial aid.
Scholarships awarded through your home university will be applied to your account. There are always funds for study abroad students, so definitely apply to your home institution’s study abroad scholarships. Single award amounts can cut your study abroad cost in half! And don’t forget to apply for outside study abroad scholarships.
Credit Hours Automatically Transfer to Your Transcript
One of the best parts about studying at your home university’s center/campus abroad is the ease of transferring credits. No extra work must be done by students to receive credits for classes taken overseas. All classes that are offered are approved by the university already. When classes are complete, final grades are entered into the university’s system and the home university will receive the information automatically. Everything will be entered on your transcript for you, as if you never took classes in another country.
Classes are Taught in the Home Country Language
The fact that classes are taught in the home university’s national language is a relief for many students. Many majors do not require more foreign language classes than what is taught in high school (for US students). For example, I took two years of Spanish in high school and was able to use those credits to count as my foreign language in college. By the time I studied abroad in Spain, it had been five years since I had studied Spanish. To say I was rusty in the language would be an understatement.
I felt much more secure knowing I would be taking classes in English, but I still got to travel to a non-English speaking country. An added benefit is I made friends that spoke English since we were all from the same university. Most, if not all the university options with international campuses have locations within a country that speaks a different language, which brings me to the next benefit.
Students Can Study a Language in a Country that Speaks it Natively
What better way to learn a language than study in a country that speaks that same language? International branch campuses offer the best of both worlds. Students can take language classes in their host country language, live with host families and encounter new people on the streets and in class, which will help the student learn a foreign language. At the same time, they can make friends that come from the same country and speak the same language. Perfect balance to learn a new language and not feel as homesick. Language immersion programs also exist.
Oftentimes, tutors are part of language programs too. The one-on-one interaction will help the student even more. They can improve vocabulary, sentence structure and their enunciation of words. In my survival Spanish course, tutors came once a week to help us out. I learned more phrases and got help with pronouncing difficult words (like ingenieria). It was good to converse with the tutor because most days he would divert from the book. There was no preparing for those conversations, I just had to use the knowledge I had. If I messed up, which happened often, I would get corrected. It was one of the most helpful times of my Spanish class.
Study with Students from Your Home University
Studying with students from your home university will depend on how the branch campus is set up in the host country. Some are set up where the students studying abroad are predominantly from the home university. Texas Tech University is an example. They have a center set up in Seville, Spain and all the students are from the Lubbock, Texas campus every semester. There are many benefits of studying with people from the same home campus.
- Home campuses can be huge where enrollment is over 50,000 students, such as New York University. You are likely to meet a small group of people and become friends with them. And it’s likely you never would have met them back home.
- It is easier to maintain the friendships you foster from study abroad students that are from your home university. The reason is simple: you are going back to study in the same town after studying overseas comes to an end.
- While studying in the foreign location, it is easier not to get homesick when you are surrounded by people from the same place. They understand what you miss and what you are going through. It is a relief to speak to them in your native tongue when you get tired of trying to communicate in another language. This was especially beneficial for me. I was taking a survival Spanish course, but it did not cover nearly enough for me to communicate everything I wanted to. I found it tiring to sit down at lunch and tell my non-English speaking host parents about my classes and what was coming up in the next few days. Returning to the center afterwards to work on homework was so refreshing because I could speak English there to my friends. It gave my brain a tiny break from constantly trying to understand Spanish conversations.
You Can Travel to a Country You Never Dreamed Possible and Gain Exposure to a New Culture
The main reason to study abroad is to experience how other people in the world live. You are supposed to get out of your comfort zone and experience new cultures. Studying at a branch of your home campus in another country will put you in the midst of a new culture.
Students can get the opportunity to experience a culture they never would have dreamed possible. For instance, studying in Costa Rica might never have crossed your mind because of the language barrier. But Texas Tech University – Costa Rica could make that dream come true with class offerings in English. Don’t let a language barrier scare you away from studying somewhere.
Branch campuses in different countries give you the opportunity of a lifetime. I never would have chosen to study in Spain for the sole purpose of not knowing Spanish very well. But here I am, having spent 5 months in Spain and traveling to Portugal, France and The Netherlands while abroad. I did not know any of those languages, but still got to experience their vastly different cultures.
Variety of Program Offerings Ranging from Single Courses to 4 Year Degree Programs
Each university branch campus in another country has different program offerings. The great thing is many can be customizable to fit you as a student. There are short term offerings, such as a 6 week summer session. You get all the benefits mentioned above, just in a shorter time span. Or there are longer program offerings such as a semester or year. 4 year degrees in another country provided by a home university is a unique offering. Not many universities are able to provide this option.
A 4 year degree program is especially beneficial to what the university would consider foreign students. Foreign students in this context would be any student not from the home country of the main university. For example, say a student from Taiwan studies at NYU’s campus in Shanghai. They get to earn a 4 year degree from the US, recognized by Shanghai as well as the US, but remain in their country of origin. It is convenient and cost-effective to them.
Below is a summary of the different types of program durations. All of these will vary from university to university. Follow along to the bottom and find out what certain universities can offer.
- Summer or Winter programs
- Fall / Spring Semester programs
- Year long programs
- 4 Year Degree programs
Apart from program duration, there are a variety of programs themselves. Language students can study the native tongue of a country they visit. Or students studying engineering can do so in a different country. The sky is the limit, but not every international campus offers the same types of programs. Check with your university to get more detailed options.
Housing Options Encompass Host Families, On-Campas Rooms, and Off-Campus Apartments
As any study abroad program, global branch campuses offer a wide range of housing options. It will depend on the university and program chosen, but I compiled a list of the most popular housing options. It is also good to note that when you study abroad in a unique setting like this, you will most likely have to use housing provided by the university.
- A super common option for housing is living with a host family. This is where a local family provides lodging for students in the study abroad program. The host could house more than one student at a time. A place to sleep is provided, along with a bathroom. Most times the family will also provide meals, but the number of meals could vary per program.
- Another housing option is on-campus. This will not exist for every university that has an international location. If this is an option though, the set up would be similar to living in a dorm at the student’s home university. Single or double rooms could be options as well. This housing option may come paired with a meal plan.
- Some universities may have another option, apartment living. Roommates could be optional or required. The apartment may come with kitchen appliances in each unit, or have a shared cooking facility for students. Meal plans could be offered as well.
More Personal and Flexible Teaching Environment from Permanent or Traveling Faculty
The teaching environment of an international branch campus will vary from school to school. Typically, the classrooms will be much smaller than at the home university itself. This allows for more flexible and personal teaching styles.
Traveling faculty members are those who move to the host country for a term at the international campus. The home university sends the faculty members over to teach courses in the host country facility for a semester. There are also permanent faculty members hired for the international campus. They will reside in the host country for the duration of their contract and teach courses to students.
Students will experience a variety of teaching styles. But the course content is created by professors at the home university, but used at the international campus. Students will have access to the same material, but in a different environment.
Gain Local Insights Through Excursions
Group excursions are likely to be included in each international campus for study abroad students. The history, architecture, food, art and culture are just a few examples of what the excursions will cover. The best part is they are headed by individuals that are familiar with the area. Either they have lived there for awhile or are from that location. The guides can give recommendations on places to shop and eat, as well as give a more personal version of their city’s history.
Excursions could be optional for students. If you are trying to save money and want to skip the outings, please reconsider. I promise, the excursions are totally worth it! You actually only pay a fraction of the cost to get into museums and other attractions because the school receives group rates. On another level, it is priceless to be guided through a city and see it through a local’s eyes. You will get to see sights that the average tourist could not ever dream of seeing. Take my word for it, go on the excursions!
New Location Means New Traditions
Universities have their own set of traditions that are fun to partake in as a student. Throwing tortillas onto the field at football games or couples nailing their shoes to a tree are just a couple of examples. Since international campuses are still somewhat new, traditions do not stretch as far back as their home counterpart. However, traditions do still exist.
Traditions can be staying at a hotel as a group the first couple of nights until everyone arrives. Or taking group excursions and exploring more of the country. My university center does this. Every spring break the school travels to Madrid. But during that week, stops are made in different cities of Spain. Overnight stays are included, but Madrid is the final destination. It was loads of fun! Home university traditions can cross the waters too, such as the university fight song or the logo.
Universities with Overseas Facilities
The Cross-Borders Education Research Team (C-BERT) from State University of New York in Albany and Pennsylvania State University has conducted research on the presence of colleges and universities throughout the world. They have a comprehensive list of colleges on their website. In summary, C-BERT identified that there are 34 home countries with multinational locations in approximately 86 host countries. And those numbers should continue to grow.
The United States, France, Australia and Russia have the highest number of university locations outside of their country. And by far, China is the most popular host country. Malaysia, Singapore and Qatar also host several universities from other countries. For the sake of this post, I have included an example of a United States university with a foreign presence and a foreign university that partnered with a US school.
Texas Tech University has its presence in two separate countries. The first is in Europe, a popular destination for study abroad students. The second is in Latin America, a less popular location for American branch campuses.
- TTU Center in Sevilla
- Located in Seville, Spain inside a building that dates back to the 1890s. Modern conveniences include classrooms equipped with desks, chairs and dry erase boards, restroom facilities, computers, and an extensive library of Spanish history, arts and language books.
- Program Offerings are open to Texas Tech students.
- Undergraduate courses in Engineering and Spanish. Engineering and beginner Spanish classes are taught in English.
- Classes are taught by permanent staff members and traveling faculty from TTU.
- Estimated cost for a fall or spring semester is a little over $15,000. Included is an estimated base fee billable by the school of approximately $13,500. The rest of the cost is based on projections of personal expenses.
- TTU Costa Rica
- Located in San Rafael de Escazú,Costa Rica. The newest addition to Texas Tech University’s global outreach. The campus was funded and built a few years ago by EDULINK, a conglomerate of multinational companies.
- Program Offerings are open to Texas Tech students (Lubbock campus) and people in the Costa Rica area. All classes are taught in English.
- Undergraduate courses in Education during Summer II.
- Renewable Energy undergraduate courses for Maymester.
- 4 year undergraduate degrees in Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Restaurant, Hotel and Institutional Management.
- Available to students in the Costa Rica area.
- The cost for short term programs differ based on the classes that are taken. The Renewable Energy summer course was estimated to be $4330 without tuition or fees included. To obtain a 4 year degree, the cost to attend is approximately $18,000 per year.
Ming Chuan University is an example of a foreign university with a global presence in the United States. Ming Chuan University resides in Taipei, Taiwan and partnered with Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU). Students that have studied at MCU or a sister institution can enjoy in-state tuition if accepted into MCU- Michigan Location.
- Ming Chuan University – Michigan Location
- MCU – Michigan is located in Saginaw County, Michigan. They began operating in 2013 after gaining facilities on the SVSU campus.
- Program Offerings are available to MCU and SVSU students.
- Dual degree programs (degree from SVSU and MCU) in Teaching Chinese in a Foreign Language and New Media and Communication Administration.
- SVSU undergraduate programs are open to high school graduates or vocational students from a sister institution of MCU. They are encouraged to study abroad at the SVSU campus.
- SVSU graduate programs are available to MCU students with a BA or to graduate students from an MCU sister school as a way to further their education.
- The estimated cost for in-state tuition (MCU students and graduates and Michigan residents) is approximately $590 per credit hour. For an out-of-state student, the cost of tuition would approximate $1100 per credit hour. Housing and food are not included in those numbers.