Study Abroad and International Exchanges

Information for students

Study abroad, internships, and service learning

You can choose from locations in more than 60 countries, and we’re adding more programs all the time. Each location offers students a different kind of opportunity--study abroad, internship, service learning, or a combination. Make sure your destination of choice offers the kind of program in which you are interested. Click here for program offerings.

Why is an international experience important?

• Experience a different culture.
• Meet people from around the world.
• Increase independence and self-confidence.
• Explore places you’ve only read about.
• Enhance your educational experience.
• Enrich your coursework.
• Demonstrate to prospective employers and graduate schools that you are resourceful, adventurous, internationally minded, and diverse.
• Improve your foreign language skills.
• Learn more about your own culture from a different perspective.
• Realize a dream.

How can an international internship help me?

• Gain relevant professional experience.
• Apply your coursework to real-life challenges.
• Learn from practicing professionals.
• Strengthen foreign language and cross-cultural skills.
• Explore and pursue new international opportunities.
• Earn academic credit.

Am I eligible?

The minimum qualifications are listed below. Some programs and internships have higher eligibility criteria or program specific requirements.

• be a student in good standing at WOU
• have sophomore status
• meet the minimum 2.50 GPA or the GPA required by a specific program if greater than 2.5
• meet the language requirement for the program, if any
• meet any other program specific requirements
• complete an interview with a study abroad advisor who recommends you for your program.

Where do I live while I’m abroad?

The housing options are unique to each program site.  Depending on the program, you might live

• with a host family
• in a residence hall
• in an apartment

What else do I need to know about WOU’s international programs?

• Use most forms of your financial aid. click here
• Earn WOU credits while you’re abroad.
• Apply your study abroad, service learning, or international internship credits to your WOU academic program.  Most credits will fulfill major, minor, LACC or elective requirements.
• Choose an English speaking program or internship or choose one where you can improve your language skills.
• Go abroad for just a few weeks, a quarter, a semester, or a whole year.
• Receive assistance in applying for such prestigious awards as the Fulbright U.S. Student Program, Rhodes Scholarship, National Security Education Program, and others.

What if

Consider choosing WOU’s international studies major or minor and prepare yourself for a challenging and rewarding career.  Employers are looking for people who can communicate with others in more than one language and culture.

I want to participate in an international program that WOU doesn’t offer?

There is a petition process for students who cannot fulfill their academic requirements or specific related professional goals by participating in the international programs WOU currently offers.  Prior to petitioning to enroll in a program WOU doesn’t offer, thoroughly review the programs that are offered.If you believe you qualify to petition, follow these instructions.

I want to earn credit through WOU for eligible WOU sponsored non-credit international programs or international programs not sponsored by or affiliated with WOU? Examples include research, service learning, special projects, internships, study abroad, etc.
You will need to complete a special International By Arrangement Form and follow the process outlined on the form. 

• Download a copy of the above form

Fellowships and scholarships

Important Note:

As soon as you decide to study abroad, make an appointment to see a financial aid counselor. Though many types of financial aid and scholarships apply to study abroad, there are some exceptions. The Financial Aid Office can provide you with information about what will apply

WOU Scholarships for Study Abroad

Northwest Council on Study Abroad (NCSA) /AHA International Scholarship

Guidelines | Application (Available to students enrolled in AHA/NCSA programs for fall, winter, spring, or summer.)

Deadlines: Fall programs June 1; winter or spring programs--September 15; summer programs--March 15

AHA International (Available to students enrolled in targeted AHA programs, excluding summer programs.

Guidelines | Application

Deadlines: Fall programs June 1; winter or spring programs--September 15

Cooperative Center for Study Abroad (CCSA) Scholarship Guidelines and Application

(Available to students enrolled in CCSA programs.)

Deadlines: October 10, winter inter-session programs; March 10, summer programs

Friends of Gentle House Foreign Study Grant. Available to a WOU student in the German Program. Criteria | Application

Deadline: May 1

CISabroad Scholarship (Available to students accepted to CIS programs.) Guidelines and Application.

Deadline for 2012: Friday, April 13

Scholarships for IE3 Internships

Two types of IE3 Program Scholarships are available to students: 1) scholarships for highly-qualified students whose financial limitations would otherwise make participation in the program a hardship; and 2) scholarships based on student merit as demonstrated in the scholarship application essay and the IE3 Global Internship program application.

Guidelines and Application

Other Scholarship Opportunities

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Big Dig Scholarship

Boren Awards--National Security Education Program

Canada Study Scholarships

Canada Student Mobility Support Program

Critical Language Scholarship Program (CLS)

DAAD--for study in Germany

Davis-Putter Scholarship Fund

Dial My Dentist Scholarship Program

Diversity Abroad

Elie Wiesel's Prize on Ethics

Freeman Asia Scholarship

Fulbright Program for U.S. Students

Fund for International Service Learning

Fund for Education Abroad

Gallagher Koster Health Careers Scholarship Program

Global Studies Foundation Student Grant

Golden Key

Healthy Lifestyles Scholarship

Hispanic Study Abroad Scholars

ICBC Scholarship

International Education Financial Aid

Institute for Int'l Public Policy

Marshall Scholarship (For graduate study in the U.K.)

National Italian American Foundation

Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grant Competition

Rotary International

Univ. of Minnesota Scholarship Database

Vira I. Heinz Scholarship for Women in Global Leadership ( for students who attend selected schools in Pennsylvania )

Find More Scholarships on Line

College Board Scholarship Search

FastWeb

General financial aid information

IIE Passport

Scholarships.com

Scholarships4Students

Short-term Programs

Students.gov

Student Scholarships Program

StudyAbroad.Com

Loan Information

International Education Financial Corporation (IEFC)

Study Abroad Loans

Sallie Mae Signature Loan

Wells Fargo Education Connection Loan

Other Funding Sources

Fynanz

Green Note

Financial Planning for Study Abroad

Studying Abroad Without Being Rich

Take Advantage of Existing Opportunities for Study Abroad

For information about the following scholarships as well as other forms of financial aid, contact the Financial Aid Office.

http://www.wou.edu/student/finaid/programs.html

WOU Alumni Association Legacy Scholarship
WOU Students in German Scholarship
WOU ASC Scholarship

Resources

Monetos is a site where students can find information about visiting a doctor, opening a bank account and requirements for living in individual countries of the European Union.

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Contact

The Office of Study Abroad and International Exchanges phone: 503-838-8905 fax: 503-838-8435 | or e-mail: studyabroad@wou.edu