Study Away | International Programs

Programs

SOU Exchanges

In an exchange, the student remains enrolled at Southern Oregon University while studying at a partner institution abroad. The student pays tuition and fees at SOU, but all housing, meals, and other costs will be paid in the host country. Most scholarships and financial aid will apply per usual. Generally, these programs are the most cost-effective way to study abroad. All students must be nominated by the Education Abroad Advisor in the Office of International Programs (OIP) prior to sending application materials to the host university abroad. Required application materials differ by university.

Exchange during Fall, Winter, and Spring Quarters is billed at 15 credits per term tuition and fees using your usual tuition rate.
Summer exchanges are billed according to the expected credits earned.

Where Can I Go on an Exchange?

Canada

University of Alberta
Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

University of Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada

Brandon University
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada

Cape Breton University
Sydney, Nova Scotia, Canada

Brock University
St. Catherines, Ontario, Canada

Lakehead University
Thunder Bay, Ontario, Canada

University of Ottawa
Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Bishop's University
Sherbrooke, Quebec, Canada

University of Montreal
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

University of Sherbrooke
Sherbooke, Quebec, Canada

University of Quebec in Montreal
Montreal, Quebec, Canada

University of Regina
Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada

Fall semester, Winter/Spring, or Full Year. Open to all majors. These universities are open to exchange students from Southern Oregon University through the National Student Exchange program. From the Canadian Prairies to the rocky islands of the Eastern shore, SOU students are able to explore the subtle cultural differences of our Northern neighbor. Whether you want to continue on your way to French proficiency in Quebec, or have a wide array of English language class options to suit your major, these Canadian universities have something to suit all fields of study. To explore each campus in greater detail, visit the National Student Exchange's Canada page. Each university's NSE page will have section detailing estimated student costs on campus for housing and meal plans (if available).

There are no Fact and Budget sheets for these programs, because housing and associated costs will vary greatly by location (see: Room/Meal tab on each university's NSE profile for their specific details). Like our Direct Exchanges, students exchanging to Canada through NSE pay SOU their current tuition and fee rate, international insurance, and a $350 study away fee per term. So, an academic year spent at a Canadian partner school will mean three terms worth of tuition & fees, billed at 15 credits per term.

England

University of Winchester
Winchester, England, United Kingdom

Fall Semester Only. Open to ALL majors, but may be an especially strong fit for: Theatre Arts, Criminology and Criminal Justice, Emerging Media and Digital Art, Business, Sociology and Anthropology, International Studies, Education, Psychology, History, Philosophy, Political Science, Health & Exercise Science. This is one of SOU’s longest-running reciprocal exchange programs. In the last couple of years, SOU has been able to send 5-6 students each Fall. Selection is based on academic achievement, faculty recommendations, and class standing. For more information, please visit Winchester's incoming exchange student page. Expanding the +Module Information dropdown on Winchester's site will allow you to view the most recent module (class) catalogue for Semester 1 (Fall). While courses can change, many courses are offered year after year. Winchester Fact Sheet and Estimated Student Budget PDF

University of Nottingham
Nottingham, England, United Kingdom

Full year only. Open to all majors. Nottingham has a wide variety of courses available. Students choose a "Host School" or academic department within Nottingham, and should expect to take at least half their classes from their Host School. Some limitations may apply. The Schools of Business, Medicine, Nursing, and Law are not open to receive SOU exchange students. Exchange students must have a 2.8+ GPA. For more information, please visit Nottingham's incoming exchange student page. Students can view pre-approved modules (classes) for incoming exchange students on this page. They have a helpful "How to select your modules..." guide to understand more about course levels and expectations. Fields of study and departments are arranged differently than SOU, so check multiple places for the kinds of courses you are looking for: example both "Biosciences" and "Life Sciences" departments have modules of interest to Biology students, Criminology students should look under "Sociology and Social Policy," students interested in Media should look in the school of "Cultures, Languages, and Area Studies."
Nottingham_Exchange_Fact_and_Budget_Sheet.pdf

Finland

LAB University of Applied Sciences
Lappeenranta, Finland

Fall or Winter/Spring, or Full Year. Open to Business students for study of international business or tourism & hospitality management. Year-long Dual-Degree option available for Tourism & Hospitality (must be a Junior or above at time of travel), requiring additional internship hours and completion of a thesis. To make the most of studies in Finland, and to be eligible for the Dual-Degree option, Business students should aim to complete the Lower Division Business Core and Non-Business Core requirements of the BA major prior to exchange. Read more about available courses in Lappeenranta, housing, and student life on LAB's incoming exchange student page. For Winter/Spring semester, students must submit an SOU application by September 15 (earlier than many other programs).

LAB_Exchange_Fact_and_Budget_Sheet.pdf

France

University of Lille
Lille, France

Fall/Winter or Winter/Spring or Year-long. Open to business students only for upper-division study of management. Year-long exchange recommended due to host university's academic calendar. Courses are taught in English. Study of French as a Foreign Language may or may not be available. To make the most of studies in France, SOU students should aim to complete the Lower Division Business Core and Non-Business Core requirements of the BA major prior to exchange. For more information, please visit Lille's incoming exchange student page.

Lille_Exchange_Fact_and_Budget_Sheet.pdf

Germany

Hochschule für Technik und Wirschaft des Saarlandes, University of Applied Sciences. (HTW Saar)
Saarbrücken, Germany

Fall/Winter or Spring or Year-long. Open to both undergraduate and graduate business students only. Courses are taught in English. Courses available year-round applicable to Accounting and Management students. Tourism-related coursework is taught primarily in Fall/Winter, while Marketing-related courses are taught primarily in Spring. For more information about HTW Saar, coursework, and housing, please visit HTW's incoming exchange student page. Note- the Spring term is called the "Summer Semester" at HTW, because the study period spans from mid/late March into August. Spring and Full-year students should be prepared to remain in Germany for much of the summer, with a smaller break before returning to SOU for Fall. The semester aligning with SOU's Fall/Winter terms is called "Winter Semester" at HTW.

Full year undergraduate students are eligible for a Dual Degree. To make the most of studies in Germany, and to be eligible for the Dual Degree, SOU students should aim to complete the Lower Division Business Core and Non-Business Core requirements of the BA major prior to exchange.

MBA students can also pursue a Dual Masters Degree with study in Germany for one semester. Please see Professor Rene Ordonez for more details on graduate-level participation in exchange. MBA students participating in exchange do so in Spring ("Summer Semester" at HTW).

Summer Option: HTW Saar offers a summer business immersion course (approx. 3 weeks in length in early summer). Undergraduate and Graduate students are welcome to apply. Business majors preferred, students seeking a Business minor or Certificate may join on a space-available basis. SOU undergraduates receive 4 credits of BA 399. MBA students should work directly with Professor Rene Ordonez to arrange graduate-level credit.

HTW_Saar_Exchange_Fact_and_Budget_Sheet.pdf

Hochschule Harz, University of Applied Sciences
Wernigerode, Germany

Fall/Winter or Winter/Spring or Full Year; full year recommended. Open to business students only for the study of Hospitality & Tourism, Management, or Marketing. Courses are taught in English. For more information about HS Harz, Wernigerode, coursework, and student life, please visit Harz's incoming exchange student page. Note- the Winter/Spring term is called the "Summer Semester" at Harz, because the study period spans from early March to late July. Winter/Spring and Full-year students should be prepared to remain in Germany for the first half of summer. The semester aligning with SOU's Fall/Winter terms is called "Winter Semester" at Harz.

Full year students are eligible for a dual degree. To make the most of studies in Germany, and to be eligible for the Dual Degree, SOU students should aim to complete the Lower Division Business Core and Non-Business Core requirements of the BA major prior to exchange.

Harz_Exchange_Fact_and_Budget_Sheet.pdf

Japan

International College of Liberal Arts, Yamanashi Gakuin University (iCLA)
Kofu, Japan

Fall or Spring or Full Year. Open to those who will be a Sophomore or higher at the time of exchange, with a 2.5 GPA minimum. Open to all majors, but may be an especially strong fit for: International Studies, Economics, Business, Political Science, English, History, Psychology, Music, Sociology and Anthropology, with some limited offerings in Theatre, Data Science, Art. Courses taught in English. Japanese language study available from the beginner level. For information, including course listings and program dates, please visit iCLA's incoming exchange student page. Spring spans a time frame from late March to early August, so Spring students should expect to spend a significant portion of their summer abroad, with a shorter summer break before returning to SOU in fall.

For spring semester, students must submit an SOU application by September 15 (earlier than many other programs).

iCLA_Exchange_Fact_and_Budget_Sheet.pdf

Nagoya University of Foreign Studies (NUFS)
Nagoya, Japan

Fall or Spring or Full Year. Open to all majors. Courses available in English include the study of Japanese society, culture, and media. Japanese language study available from beginner level. NUFS offers a scholarship in the form of a stipend to cover the cost of housing to all SOU exchange students. Culture classes are taught in English. For more information about Nagoya, NUFS, and Japanese studies course offerings, please visit NUFS' incoming exchange student page. Note: Spring spans a time frame from early April to mid-July, so Spring students should expect to spend the earlier part of their summer abroad, with a shorter summer break before returning to SOU in fall.

NUFS_Exchange_Fact_and_Budget_Sheet.pdf

Okayama University
Okayama, Japan

Fall/Winter or Spring or Full Year. Open to all majors. Some English-taught electives in Environmental Studies, Business, Science, and Social Sciences with many courses that encourage fieldwork.The bulk of credits will be taken in study of Japanese language and culture, with language available from the beginner level. For more information, please visit Okayama's incoming exchange student page and the Exchange Program Okayama (EPOK) Flyer. Note: Spring spans a time frame from April to mid-August, so Spring students should expect to spend a significant portion of their summer abroad, with a shorter summer break before returning to SOU in fall.

Okayama_Exchange_Fact_and_Budget_Sheet.pdf

Shinshu University
Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan

Fall/Winter or Spring or Full Year. Open to all majors for intensive Japanese language study. A full-year is recommended to get the most out of language study. For more information, please visit Shinshu's incoming exchange student page. One of our most affordable exchanges due to cost of living! Exchange students reside in Matsumoto International House, a vibrant community at an exceptionally affordable rate. Spring spans a time frame from late March to early August, so Spring students should expect to spend a significant portion of their summer abroad, with a shorter summer break before returning to SOU in fall.

For spring semester, students must submit an SOU application by September 15 (earlier than many other programs).

Shinshu_Exchange_Fact_and_Budget_Sheet.pdf

Tokyo International University (TIU)
Tokyo, Japan

Fall or Spring. Open to all majors, but may be an especially strong fit for Business, Economics, Political Science, and International Studies. Courses available in English. TIU students immerse themselves in Japanese culture through a homestay, so it is beneficial to have some familiarity with Japanese language. Japanese language courses available at TIU from beginner level. Students must have completed at least two terms at SOU prior to application, with a minimum GPA of 2.5. For more information, please visit TIU's incoming exchange student page. TIU has scarce exchange spots, so please also consider other universities from this list or from our partner providers as alternatives. Opportunities to attend as a fee-paying student may be available, if there is a shortage of exchange spots (see TIU webpage for associated fees).

Spring spans a time frame from late March to late July, so Spring students should expect to spend a significant portion of their summer abroad, with a shorter summer break before returning to SOU in fall.

TIU_Exchange_Fact_and_Budget_Sheet.pdf

Mexico

University of Guanajuato
Guanajuato, Mexico

Fall or Winter/Spring or Full Year. Must be approximately 50% through your SOU course of study to apply (90 credits), with a 3.0 GPA or above. Open to all majors for intensive Spanish language and culture study. For those with Spanish proficiency, Guanajuato has a variety of coursework across the sciences, business, education, humanities, social sciences, and the arts (visual and performance). A growing number of English-taught courses are available in Business and Economics. If planning to take courses in Spanish alongside Mexican students, proof of B1/B2 Spanish proficiency level will be requested, as well as a proposed course list (browse UG's website to see available majors and associated coursework). For more information on Guanajuato, please visit Guanajuato's incoming exchange student page.

Guanajuato exchange students are encouraged to apply in the spring for a local scholarship from the Amigo Club of Ashland.

For winter/spring semester, students must submit an SOU application by September 15 (earlier than many other programs).

Guanajuato_Exchange_Fact_and_Budget_Sheet.pdf

Summer Options:
Intensive Spanish language courses. Month-long (July) immersion to focus on language development and cultural study.
Guanajuato International Summer Research Program: This 8-week program from mid-June to early-August creates international teams of students matched with a Guanajuato professor for guided research projects in either English, French, or Spanish. Many fields of study represented, including STEM, Social Sciences, and Humanities.

South Korea

Chonnam National University
Gwangju or Yeosu, South Korea

Fall or Winter/Spring or Full Year. Open to all majors for study in regular university classes (taught in English) in biology, business, economics, English literature, political science, and Korean studies. Korean language courses available from beginner level. Korean culture and society classes highly recommended by past participants. In addition to the main campus in Gwangju, Chonnam National University has a smaller campus in the coastal city of Yeosu. For exchange students, Yeosu offers an intensive language and culture semester, allowing students to dive into Korean language learning and bring back up to 18 credits of language, and 9 credits of Korean culture.

For more information about CNU, housing, academic calendar, and more please visit their incoming exchange student page. (Allow extra time for CNU webpages to load). English-language course lists available as part of their comprehensive "Fact Sheet" brochure. This is one of our most affordable exchanges due to cost of living and the very low dormitory fees!

Chonnam_Exchange_Fact_and_Budget_Sheet.pdf

Summer Option: Choose from a variety of classes taught in English, and explore Korea through group excursions and cultural activities. Students can take 1 or 2 courses during the four-week period (late June until late July) in the CNU International Summer Session. Most students choose to take one course, to allow themselves enough time to explore the city of Gwangju. With an affordable housing and program fee, summer at Chonnam National University becomes a great option for many students who may not be able to participate during the academic year.

Chonnam_National_University_International_Summer_School.pdf

Dankook University
Jukjeon and Cheonan, South Korea

Summer Option: A 7-week program open to all majors. The first three weeks are spent teaching conversational English to Dankook University students, as a way to help Dankook students improve their language proficiency, and to make connections with local students. This English teaching internship can be used towards Education practicum credit for the English Language Learner category. The next four weeks are spent taking coursework (classes available in the social sciences and Korean studies). Students can choose one or two courses, but most students choose one to allow themselves time to explore their host city. Dankook reimburses the cost of the flight for students after successfully completing the English-teaching portion of the program, adding to the affordability of this summer program! Open to all majors. Please visit the Dankook International Summer School page for more detailed information. Upcoming Summer courses are listed in late December/early January. An optional 3-week extension, the Korean Immersion Program, may be available for interested students, for the cost of additional credits.

Dankook_Summer_Info_Sheet.pdf

Sweden

Kristianstad University
Kristianstad, Sweden

Fall, Fall/Winter or Winter/Spring or Full Year. Open to all majors, but best fit may be for Education, Communication, Business, Computer Science, and Environmental Science/Sustainability. The list of English-taught classes is limited, so it is recommended that you have flexibility with major electives and general education strands left to fulfill. While their traditional semester is Fall/Winter, a Fall term can be accomplished with careful course selection as many of their courses are taught in the first 5 or 10 weeks of the semester, allowing for a December end-date. If planning for a December return, flexibility in course selection is imperative. Full-year study may be ideal, due to their academic calendar. For more information about Kristianstad, housing, and to see past course lists, please visit Kristianstad's incoming exchange student page.

Please note, if applying for Winter/Spring, you will need to submit an application to the SOU Office of International Programs by September 15 (earlier than most other programs).

Kristianstad_Exchange_Fact_and_Budget_Sheet.pdf

Uruguay

Universidad Católica del Uruguay
Montevideo, Uruguay

Fall or Winter/Spring or Year-long. Open to all majors for study in Spanish-taught coursework alongside local students. Must have a B1 level of Spanish to apply. In addition to coursework from UCU's broad list of majors, exchange students may also take: Spanish language (B1 or B2), Uruguayan Literature, Uruguayan Culture, History of Uruguay, Latin American and Uruguayan Thinking, or a Community Service-Learning course. UCU operates on a Southern Hemisphere calendar: Semester 1 is March - July (optional pre-semester Spanish intensive in February) and Semester 2 is August - December. If interested in a full-year, March-December would be recommended.
For more information about majors and offerings: UCU's international student brochure

UCU_Exchange_Fact_and_Budget_Sheet.pdf

Application

The first step in applying is setting up a meeting with a peer advisor by emailing studyaway@sou.edu. An advisor will follow up on your meeting with an online application to complete, once you have chosen your destination. See the "How to Apply" tab for more detailed information on the application process.

Contact Us

To set up an appointment or ask any questions regarding study abroad please e-mail us at: studyaway@sou.edu

SOU Partner Providers

SOU affiliated, or "partner," providers help us offer a broad range of options (geographically and academically) to SOU students, beyond our exchange relationships. Providers offer many types of programs, including direct enrollment in classes at a university abroad, courses designed specifically for study abroad students to learn about their destination, or small groups of U.S. students doing field work together. Partner programs include academic year, semester, quarter, and summer options. In any type of affiliated provider program, students are enrolled at SOU and therefore the course credit is recorded on their SOU transcripts.

When study abroad through a partner provider, you pay a Program Fee to your provider, instead of your usual tuition & fees to SOU. The only thing you pay to SOU during your time abroad is a $350 per term Study Away Fee. Institution-specific scholarships (ex. Honors College scholarship) will not apply. In the case of institutional scholarships, students should make sure to complete and submit a deferral form (Scholarships and Financial Aid Office) before your leave. It is possible to use State and Federal financial aid (Pell, federal student loans, etc), and many outside scholarships (Ford Family Foundation) on most affiliated programs.

Partner Providers

Academic Programs International (API)

Check out our SOU-specific landing page with API to jumpstart browsing through their many programs!

API offers a large portfolio of programs across Europe, Latin America, and Oceania, while their study sites are affiliated with local universities, depending on the type of program you choose, you may or may not be in classes with local students. For example, if you are taking Spanish Language and Culture at the University of Salamanca in Spain, you will be attending classes with other U.S. and international (non-Spanish) students. If your Spanish language proficiency is high enough to enroll directly in regular university coursework, you would find yourself in a class with local students.

API can be a great provider for finding programs centering Art, STEM, or Theatre students. Recent SOU participants have traveled to London, UK; Florence, Italy; Dubrovnik, Croatia; Salamanca, Spain; Granada, Spain; Seville, Spain; Buenos Aires, Argentina; Valparaiso, Chile; and San Jose, Costa Rica. API is also one of the few providers with a handful of Winter Quarter options, primarily in Spain.

Applicants to API programs will automatically be considered for the API-SOU Scholarship, up to $500 for a single term, $2000 for a semester, or up to $4000 for a year. Students are highly encouraged to complete an API scholarship application to be considered for one of their many other available scholarships!

Please visit the API website to view their available study abroad and internship programs.

CIS Abroad

CIS Abroad offers programs on five continents in a large variety of majors. Depending on your program choice, you may be directly immersed in a classroom with local students (ex. a semester at the University of Limerick, Ireland), or you may be in classrooms with primarily U.S. and other international students (ex. summer at the University of Limerick, Ireland). CIS Abroad also offers a number of internships for more independent, professionally-oriented experiences. As an organization, they prioritize affordability, and regularly publish lists of their best value programs.

Recent SOU participants have traveled to Sorrento, Italy and Seoul, South Korea through CIS Abroad.

SOU applicants to CIS Abroad automatically receive a $250 discount on semester programs, and a $100 discount on short-term programs and internships. Applicants are highly encouraged to apply to CIS Abroad's other scholarships and grants, like their Rainbow Scholarship for LGBTQ student travelers (application forms can be found in their application portal).

Please visit the CIS Abroad website to browse their global study and internship programs.

Global Education Oregon (GEO)

GEO programs are based out of the University of Oregon in Eugene. They offer summer, quarter, semester, and year-long programs around the world. In some GEO programs, you may be taking classes directly at a host university (ex. Tel Aviv University in Israel), but most GEO programs are set up so that you will be studying a particular topic or discipline with a cohort of other U.S. students (ex. Studio Art in Siena, Italy, or Gender, Race, and Class in London). Unlike enrolling directly in a host university abroad, you will know what classes you will be taking abroad before you leave. Many programs offer homestays to help students learn about the local culture.

Past SOU participants have studied Cinema in Dublin, Ireland, Liberal Arts in London, UK, and Spanish language in Oviedo, Spain.

GEO often offers scholarships for newly launched programs, and that list can be found on their scholarship page for partner institutions.First year students interested in any GEO programs are highly encouraged to apply for the "Map Your Future" scholarship, and the GEO Ambassador scholarship can be a way to earn money by sharing about your travels after you return.

Browse the GEO program page to see your options. Hey Raiders, don't forget to move the selection on the right from "I am a Duck" to "I am a student at a GEO partner university."

IE3 Global

IE3 Global is a partner provider run out of Oregon State University in Corvallis. They offer direct university enrollment with local students (ex. Akita International University in Japan), short-term summer programs with other U.S. and international students (ex. Ewha University in Korea), and a large portfolio of internships with organizations abroad (ex. Wine Marketing in Cape Town, South Africa). SOU has been a long-time member of their Baden-Wurttemberg exchange in Germany, and their Lyon exchange in France. Their month-long summer program in Ireland, studying Irish literature and history may be just the thing for an SOU student!

Past SOU participants have traveled to Lyon, France; Poitiers, France; Tokyo, Japan; Melbourne, Australia; Queretaro, Mexico; and Tubingen, Germany.

SOU students are encouraged to apply to IE3 Global Scholarships. You can find a scholarship application within your IE3 Global application portal learning content.

Explore the study abroad and internship options available to SOU students on the IE3 Global website.

SEA Semester

SEA Semester offers semester and summer environmental studies programs focused on the ocean. While SEA Semester's home base is on Cape Cod, in the oceanographic research community of Woods Hole, Massachusetts, programs are offered in the Caribbean, North Atlantic, and South Pacific. Students sail aboard Tall Ships while exploring climate change, conservation, and marine science in programs like "Sustainability in Polynesian Island Cultures & Ecosystems" or "Colonization to Conservation in the Caribbean."

SOU students are encouraged to apply for SEA Semester scholarships as early as possible.

Visit SEA Semester's website to learn more about their unique, ship-based academic programs.

The School for Field Studies (SFS)

SFS offers semester and summer opportunities in 10 off-the-beaten-track locations: Australia, Bhutan, Cambodia, Chile, Costa Rica, Kenya, Panama, Peru, Tanzania, and the Turks & Caicos Islands. These programs are often based in more remote field stations and will be of particular interest to Biology, Environmental Science, and Tourism students, where you will study in a small cohort of other U.S. students. Programs focus on important issues of climate change, community resource management, tourism impacts, pollution and waste management, wildlife conservation and sustainable livelihoods.

Past SOU students have studied the Himalayas in Bhutan.

SOU students are encouraged to complete an SFS Financial Aid Application along with their program application, in order to be considered for the multiple scholarships and zero/low interest-loans available through SFS.

To browse SFS' hands-on, experiential, field-based programs, please visit their website.

School for International Training (SIT)

SIT offers semester and summer opportunities developed around a framework of critical global issues, including climate & environment, education & social change, and global health & well-being. Many of their programs are based in lesser-traveled locations, like Iceland, Mongolia, Morocco, and Rwanda. During your program, you will be studying with a small cohort of U.S. students, but will have opportunities to immerse yourself in your host-country through language study (from Afrikaans to Wolof), homestays, and independent research projects and internships.

Past SOU students have studied the impact of climate change on rainforest ecosystems in Australia.

SOU students are encouraged to apply for SIT Scholarships and Grants by checking the scholarship box in their SIT application.

Explore SIT programs by location or by critical global issue on their website.

University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC)

USAC offers semester and summer opportunities with university partners abroad, which include programs where you are directly enrolled at the host university and take classes with local students (ex. Massey University in New Zealand), programs built especially for US study abroad students (ex. Reggio Emilia, Italy) and special summer short programs with other U.S./international students (ex. Summer sessions in Cuba).

Past SOU students have traveled to Torino, Italy; Reggio Emilia, Italy; Lyon, France; Melbourne, Australia; Montevideo, Uruguay; and Shanghai, China.

Applicants to USAC programs are encourage to complete a USAC scholarship application alongside their program application to be considered for additional funds through USAC. USAC has a number of special scholarships, including one for First Generation students.

To browse all of USAC's program destinations, please visit their website.

International Internships

Many of the above providers offer the opportunity for professional development abroad through global internships. These internships may meet major requirements for a practicum, but it is important to speak with your major advisor about what qualities the internship must have to qualify. Read through the program descriptions to have a clear understanding of what the internship entails, and approach your internship application as a job application.

Contact Us

To set up an appointment or ask any questions regarding study abroad please e-mail us at: studyaway@sou.edu

How to Apply

Application Process

1. The first step in studying abroad (after reviewing this webpage!) will be to meet with one of our peer advisors. You can ask questions by email (studyaway@sou.edu) or come in to the Office of International Programs (SU 322) during advising drop-in hours. [Fall 2023 times TBD]

2. After your advising appointment, continue browsing your options and collecting information on the programs you are considering. Once you have decided on the program that best fits your needs, let us know so we can send you the correct online application form. Applications differ by program type.

Direct Exchange Applications

For an exchange, you will need to complete:

an online survey-style application (the link to this application can be received from studyaway@sou.edu)
~300 word Statement of Interest describing why you chose your program of interest and what you hope to learn
one recommendation letter from faculty supporting your participation in an exchange program (can be emailed to studyaway@sou.edu)
a copy of the bio-page of your passport (don't have one yet? learn more about how to apply for one here, and apply asap)

Your specific program may request additional materials (a 2nd letter of recommendation, a course list, etc. after SOU nominates you to their university and you move along to the host's application process.

Partner Provider Applications

For a partner provider application, SOU needs you to complete our online survey-style application (get from studyaway@sou.edu), but the bulk of your application materials will be through your chosen provider! Keep in mind that a provider's deadline may be before or after SOU's deadline for turning in your application to our office. They may ask for similar things, a copy of your passport, a statement of interest, preliminary course selections, etc. Make sure you check their application portal regularly in case new information or items have been uploaded (like housing selection or visa instructions) as you move through the process.

Don't have a passport yet? learn more about how to apply for one here, and apply asap!

National Student Exchange

Your exchange application through NSE looks different depending on when you apply.

If you are applying ahead of the Priority Placement Deadline (mid to late February), you can choose to list multiple campuses. If your first choice campus cannot take you in your chosen payment plan, your application automatically forwards to the next on your list. I highly encourage you to read through NSE Application and Selection when thinking about building your list and how placement works.

If you are applying for a direct placement (March and later), you will only be applying to one campus. SOU's NSE coordinator can help you determine if your preferred location is still accepting students ("Open") or if their deadline has already passed.

In either case, it is important to carefully read the information on the NSE website, and to speak with an advisor (studyaway@sou.edu) before filling out NSE's short survey-style application. Our advisor can help clarify what terms like Host Pay and Home Pay mean to you as a participant.

3. Meet with your major or minor advisor! It's important to consult your advisor(s) about the types of classes you'd like to take abroad and how they may fit within your degree plan here on campus.

4. Make time to research and apply for scholarships. There are funds offered locally through our office, through study abroad providers, and nationally through the U.S. Department of State and other large organizations. Keep an eye out for study abroad scholarship info sessions on campus, check you the pinned "Scholarships" story on our instagram (@SOUstudyabroad), and use the "Scholarships" tab here as a starting point for your search.

5. This really is a PROCESS, rather than a one-and-done application. Both our exchanges and partner providers will have new materials due at different points, determined by your host university, host country, and other factors.These are often completed in multiple stages, so make sure you stay organized, carefully read new emails, and continue to meet deadlines!

SOU Priority Deadline for Summer or Fall/Full-year programs: February 15 (rolling thereafter for programs with space available)

SOU Priority Deadline for Winter/Spring and Spring programs: October 15*

* Exchange programs for Guanajuato, Mexico; Kristianstad, Sweden; iCLA, Japan; Shinshu, Japan; and LAB, Finland have early deadlines set by the host institution and an SOU application is needed by September 15 for these programs.

Please note that while this is the priority deadline to turn in an application to the Office of International Programs, some partner providers may have earlier or later deadlines for their program applications.

Scholarships

In addition to your existing financial aid, students planning to study abroad are eligible for a number of additional scholarship opportunities. Please browse the scholarships listed below, and keep an eye out for Study Abroad Scholarship Information Sessions in the future.

Local & SOU Scholarships

For exchange students applying to the University of Guanajuato:

The David Guerra Memorial Scholarship- All full-year exchange applicants to UGTO will be considered for this scholarship, and selection criteria may include financial need, academic merit, community and campus involvement, and goals and aspirations of the exchange student.

Amigo Club Scholarship- SOU students applying for the University of Guanajuato exchange program are invited to apply for a $750 scholarship offered by the Amigo Club of Ashland, a local organization devoted to promoting the sister-city relationship between Ashland and Guanajauto by supporting exchanges between the two cities. Applications will be due April 15, 2020 to the Office of International Programs.

In SOU's Scholarship Universe portal:

The Edouard & Rhoda Seidler French Students Study Abroad Scholarship: To pay tribute to Edouard Seidler, internationally renowned French author and sports journalist, and his wife Rhoda by assisting SOU students to study French in its country of origin.

Walter L. and Brigitte E. Gesicki Study Abroad Scholarship: Scholarship is open to students studying a foreign language, with a preference for students studying German.

Partner Provider Scholarships

Each SOU-affiliated provider offers scholarships for their programs. You are highly encourage to apply for these scholarships. Please browse the funding and financial-aid related pages of your selected provider for more information about the types of scholarships available and how to apply.

National Scholarships

The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is one of the largest national study abroad scholarships, funded by the U.S. Department of State for Pell eligible undergraduate students.

The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides study abroad awards for dependents of active duty service members.

The Boren Awards provide substantial support for language-focused study abroad programs in certain priority languages and countries, in exchange for a commitment to future public service.

The Critical Language Scholarship offers fully-funded summer study abroad programs in target languages deemed critical to U.S. diplomatic and security interests.

The Fund for Education Abroad is a non-profit whose mission is to provide scholarships and ongoing support to U.S. students underrepresented in study abroad.

Freeman Asia is a national award administered by the Institute of International Education for the intention of supporting cultural and education exchange between the U.S. and East or Southeast Asian countries.

The Bridging Scholarship awards funds for undergraduates to study abroad in Japan, with money from a number of nonprofit, corporate, and individual donors.

Note: If you currently fund your education through Post-911 GI Bill or faculty/staff tuition rate, plan to study abroad with one of our partner providers, and dont regularly file the FAFSA, you may want to consider filing for the year you will be studying abroad! This may help you access additional federal financial aid and become eligible for some of the need-based scholarships in the list above.

National Student Exchange

National Student Exchange

The National Student Exchange (NSE) is a consortium of 90+ colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Through NSE, these member institutions provide exchange opportunities to explore the diversity that exists within North America and U.S. territories.

NSE offers access to a wide array of courses on a variety of campuses, along with special programs offered at other institutions; like field experiences, internships, and themed semesters. Examples of NSE special programs include "Semester by the Bay" in Homer, AK through the University of Alaska, Anchorage; "Semester in the Wild" through University of Idaho; and the "Wilderness & Civilization" program through University of Montana.

There are two payment options for NSE:

- Host-payment: Pay the in-state tuition and fees at your destination university
- Home-payment: Pay your tuition and fees per usual at SOU

On the NSE website, you can search for universities by major, location, or category (ex. summer options, special programs, diversity stats, campus size). The NSE consortium offers campuses as small as 110 students and as large as 58,000, and notable academic programs including Arctic Studies, First Nations Studies, Disaster Studies, Golf Course Management, Interior Design, Snow Science, Wellness and Alternative Medicine, and Theatre for Social Justice.

Over the past decade, SOU students have studied at Bridgewater State University; Brock University, Canada; California State University, San Bernardino; Eastern Connecticut State University; Eastern Illinois University; Iowa State University; Stony Brook University; Texas State University; University of Calgary, Canada; University of Hawaii, Hilo; University of Hawaii, Manoa; University of Massachusetts, Amherst; University of Massachusetts, Boston; University of New Hampshire; University of New Mexico; University of Nevada, Las Vegas; University of Puerto Rico, Humacao; University of Texas, San Antonio; and the University of the Virgin Islands, St. Thomas.