Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I begin?
- When can I study abroad?
- Where can I study?
- Do I need College approval?
- Do I have to know a foreign language to study abroad?
- How do I know if I have enough of a foreign language background for a program?
- How will study abroad fit into my four years at the University of Rochester?
- What is required for study abroad orientation?
- Will I get credit for my courses abroad?
- How will study abroad affect my plans to go to medical school?
- If I have a disability, can I study abroad?
- Can I study abroad if I am planning to be an RA?
- Can study abroad be part of a Take Five Scholars Project?
- Can I talk to students who have already studied abroad?
- If I am an international student, can I still study abroad?
- What will it cost?
- Is it safe to study abroad?
1. How do I begin?
The first step is to attend a group information meeting, which is designed to acquaint you with ways of planning a term abroad that are most practical for University of Rochester students. After attending a general information meeting, you may schedule an appointment with a study abroad adviser as well as with faculty advisers, so you can plan your study abroad experience effectively.
Apply for or renew your passport immediately. Processing can take 12 weeks or longer.
2. When can I study abroad?
You may study abroad for a maximum of two semesters, either semester junior year or first semester of your senior year. Selected sophomores may be eligible for certain programs. You may also consider combining your time abroad with the Take Five Scholars Program. However, you may not study abroad in your final semester. Certain University of Rochester programs allow participation by students in other class years:
| University of Cologne Exchange, Germany: | juniors, seniors |
| Jagiellonian University, Krakow, Poland: | sophomores, juniors, seniors |
| ORT Braude College Exchange, Karmiel, Israel: | sophomores, juniors, Engineering & Computer Science majors |
| Rochester in Arezzo, Italy: | sophomores, juniors, seniors |
| Uppsala University Exchange, Sweden: | sophomores, juniors, seniors |
| Meiji Gakuin Exchange, Japan | sophomores, juniors |
Freshmen or transfer students may not study abroad in their first semester as a University of Rochester student. In other words, before participating in a study abroad program, you must complete at least one full-time semester at the University of Rochester. Likewise, students who have been on Inactive Status or who have withdrawn from the University must return for at least one semester before studying abroad. Many summer study abroad programs, including some UR programs, accept applications from students after completion of the freshman year.
3. Where can I study?
It is possible to earn credits toward your UR degree in over 100 countries! Some are more appropriate than others for what you want to study. The publications of the Institute for International Education (including Academic Year Abroad and Short Term Study Abroad), found in the Center for Study Abroad, are indexed by subjects so you can find out what is available and where. For example, if you are interested in theater, France and England offer the most drama courses. On the other hand, economics and political science courses are available just about everywhere. If you want to study sciences or engineering, your choices will be more limited, but you can still study abroad.
4. Do I need College approval?
Yes, study abroad programs require that you obtain the approval of your home institution. You obtain College approval by submitting a Study Abroad Proposal form. It is due by September 15 for spring semester, and the due date is February 1 if you wish to study abroad during the fall semester, or for an entire academic year. The form is available on the web at: http://www.rochester.edu/College/abroad/students/how.html
5. Do I have to know a foreign language to study abroad?
Not necessarily. There are many study abroad programs in English-speaking countries such as England and Australia. In addition, there are English-language programs in countries where English is not the native language. (See the section on "What are the Types of Study Abroad Programs?" for details.) Of course, there are plenty of study abroad programs that require foreign language proficiency, some to a lesser degree and some requiring near-fluency. Do not assume that, for example, if you are a biology major, you must study in an English-speaking country. The exchange program with Uppsala University in Sweden is one program that offers science courses in English. On the other hand, proficiency in a foreign language may enable you to study the sciences in the host country language. For example, if you are proficient in Hebrew, you can take regular courses at Hebrew University of Jerusalem along with Israeli students.
6. How do I know if I have enough of a foreign language background for a program?
Language requirements vary widely. Some programs require no prior experience and offer introductory language courses. Others will expect some familiarity. "One year prior German language study" means the equivalent of GER 101 and 102, Elementary German I and II, even if it was taken during high school. "Four semesters of French" means you should have the equivalent of FR 101, 102, 151 and 152 (Intermediate I and II). "Five semesters" would assume that you've had an advanced language or literature course as well.
Programs are flexible; if you are a native speaker or have practical exposure to the language without formal study, you may meet the requirement. The bottom line: you'll have the opportunity to brush up on language skills during most programs' orientations. Don't pass up a program because you think you're not good at languages. Most people find that learning a language in context is very different from learning in a classroom environment.
7. How will study abroad fit into my four years at the University of Rochester?
Faculty and study abroad advisers will help you. Most students who go abroad are juniors, but studying abroad may be a good choice for some first-semester seniors or second-semester sophomores. Planning study abroad with an adviser should include declaring your major. Know before you leave where you stand in terms of credit hours and College requirements. You do not necessarily need to take courses only toward your major or minor while abroad. If you plan carefully, you may be able to study something completely different on your study abroad program. The Career Center staff can offer advice about how a term overseas fits in with your long-range goals.
Some undergraduate programs cannot easily include a semester abroad, so you may want to consider other options, such as summer study abroad or the Take Five Scholars Program.
8. What is required for study abroad orientation?
In order to study abroad, you must participate in the Study Abroad Pre-departure Orientation. This includes a semester-long, Blackboard course and a mandatory group meeting. If you do not successfully finish the online portion of the orientation or fail to attend the group meeting, you will not be permitted to study abroad.
9. Will I get credit for my courses abroad?
Yes, provided that you have carefully planned your program and have obtained approval before you leave the University of Rochester. For major or departmental credit, see your faculty adviser. For elective credit, consult with a study abroad adviser. Sometimes you will find that course offerings have changed when you arrive overseas. Although this rarely causes problems, promptly notify both your faculty adviser and the Center for Study Abroad. Students abroad may not overload or underload.
10. How will study abroad affect my plans to go to medical school?
Study Abroad can provide you with a global perspective that is invaluable for a career in the health professions, and it will distinguish you from other medical school applicants. If you want to enter medical school immediately after completing your undergraduate degree, plan to study abroad no later than the fall of your junior year. This will allow you time to prepare for the MCATs and complete medical school applications after you return from abroad. Keep in mind that if you plan to attend medical school in the United States, some schools expect that all your core pre-med coursework will be taken in the U.S. Be sure to consult during your freshman or sophomore year with a health professions adviser in the College Center for Academic Support. Click here for further advice for pre-med students.
11. If I have a disability, can I study abroad?
Yes. You will want to meet with a study abroad adviser and with a counselor in Learning Assistance Services in 107 Lattimore Hall, to discuss what accommodations you'll need.
12. Can I study abroad if I am planning to be an RA?
The Office of Residential Life requires all RA candidates to complete a course on paraprofessional counseling prior to becoming an RA. If your study abroad plans would cause you to miss this course, you should make arrangements to complete the course in an earlier semester. This will require planning well in advance, such as taking the course during your sophomore year. If you have already been approved as an RA and are later approved to study abroad during your RA year, the Office of Residential Life can usually make arrangements to fill your place.
13. Can study abroad be part of a Take Five Scholars Project?
Yes. The Take Five Scholars program allows students to spend an additional semester or year at UR, tuition-free, pursuing a series of courses around a particular theme for the purpose of intellectual enrichment. If the focus of the Take Five project lends itself to overseas study, then you may propose to include a semester or even a full year abroad. Early planning is essential, since study abroad should be completed prior to your fifth year. As you formulate your Take Five proposal, attend a Take Five information session and consult with the Take Five program adviser in the College Center for Academic Support.
14. Can I talk to students who have already studied abroad?
Yes! Study Abroad Peer Advisers are students who have studied abroad and who are eager to speak with interested students. They are a good source of information for many of your questions, such as budgets, classes, travelling abroad, and more. Do not hesitate to contact them. Peer advisers' names and contact information are available at the Center for Study Abroad.
15. If I am an international student, can I still study abroad?
Yes. Remember that visa and immigration requirements will likely be different for non-U.S. citizens. You should consult the appropriate consulates and embassies as soon as possible. You also need to discuss your plans with an international student advisor in Morey Hall.
16. What will it cost?
Your daily out-of-pocket costs may be considerably higher or lower than a typical semester at UR. Nonetheless, you can expect to spend about the same on a semester abroad as you would on a semester at the University of Rochester. Be aware that daily costs of living are much higher in places such as London and Paris (see the section on “Finances” for details).
17. Is it safe to study abroad?
Most study abroad destinations provide an environment that is fully as safe as studying at the University of Rochester. Crime rates in most study abroad locations are lower than in the United States. Nevertheless, all students should be aware of the cross-cultural implications of their behavior, since certain behaviors acceptable at home might be offensive or disruptive elsewhere.
Study abroad is a privilege reserved for those students who have demonstrated exemplary behavior at the University of Rochester. Furthermore, in the interest of safety, the University reserves the right to withhold approval for students to study in a country where the U.S. State Department has issued a Travel Warning. For more information, see the section on "Student Life Abroad" or view the Study Abroad Pre-departure Handbook. For up-to-date U.S. State Department travel information, visit the following website: http://travel.state.gov/travel/warnings.html.