Study Abroad

Frequently Asked Questions from Parents

“Won't study abroad cost a lot more than spending a semester or a year at Rochester?”
It’s a fact that for most students, a semester or a year abroad costs about the same as a semester at UR. If your son or daughter receives University of Rochester financial aid, it will transfer to a Rochester-sponsored study abroad program. Advisers in the Financial Aid Office are there to help, and there are many special scholarships for which students may be eligible.

“I don't want my daughter to have to spend an extra semester at Rochester. What if the courses or credits don’t transfer?”
Study abroad advisers only recommend programs where the courses do transfer, so students graduate on time. Faculty and staff advisers help students to transfer courses for majors and minors, and even clusters.

“I’m concerned—how do employers and graduate schools look at study abroad?”
Students who study abroad highlight it on resumes. Employers and graduate schools—yes, even medical schools—look for independent people who can adjust to new situations. Alumni emphasize how interested interviewers are in their international background. The Career Center also encourages these experiences.

“He’s got so much going on at UR—how can he leave for a whole semester?”
That’s a good question. Most UR students are involved in many campus activities. But our busy and engaged students also enjoy exploring similar interests in Melbourne, London, Cairo, Tokyo, Granada, Dublin, Shanghai, Vienna, or Beijing, too. In fact, the “break” from the routine often permits them to connect with new intellectual and extracurricular pursuits. Our musicians seek out venues to play and new groups to join. Our athletes meet local students through sports. Rochester will still be here when your son gets back—and he will have new perspectives on UR, the United States, and himself when he returns.

“My daughter is a science (or engineering) major so there’s no way she can study abroad.”
See our “Study Abroad Opportunities for Science and Engineering Students” flyer for a list of programs. There are plenty to choose from. Science and engineering faculty advisors will be very encouraging.

“My son took Spanish years ago, never did well, and doesn't speak another language.”
Study abroad can change that. Many students who did not enjoy foreign language classes in high school or college find that study abroad changes their mind about the process. He may study on one of our many English-language programs (Barcelona, Budapest, Vienna, Buenos Aires, Paris, St. Petersburg, to name a few), or he may choose a program in an English-speaking country.

“My daughter has learning disabilities.”
All programs are open to students with disabilities. Learning Assistance Services counselors and study abroad advisers work with students to identify the programs that best suit their interests, talents and academic needs.

“My daughter is planning Take Five/med school/ grad school /law school. Won't a semester abroad get in her way?”
Students who have clearly defined interests such as graduate or professional schools can plan with counselors in the Center for Study Abroad, the Center for Academic Support, and the Career Center. Feeling short on time? The Take Five Scholars Program can help to integrate study abroad into a five-year program.

“Nobody in our family has ever traveled abroad. How will my daughter know what to do?”
We provide comprehensive advice and guidance to all students considering study abroad. We begin with information meetings, and follow-up with individual appointments with study abroad advisers. In fact, many of our students are the first in their families to go on study abroad programs.

For more information, see “A Parents Guide to Study Abroad” or e-mail abroad@admin.rochester.edu.