SOU Direct Exchanges
In a direct 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 as 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, which will be discussed during an interview with education abroad advisor during the application process.
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 Calgary
Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Brandon University
Brandon, Manitoba, Canada
Grenfell Campus of Memorial University of Newfoundland
Corner Brook, Newfoundland and Labrador, 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 nearly all fields of study. To explore each campus in greater detail, visit the National Student Exchange's Canada page.
England
University of Winchester
Winchester, England, United Kingdom
Fall Semester Only. Open to all majors. 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 based on academic achievement, faculty recommendations, and class standing. For more information, please visit Winchester's incoming exchange student page.
University of Nottingham
Nottingham, England, United Kingdom
Full year only. Open to all majors. Nottingham has a wide variety of courses available to suit nearly all majors. 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.
Finland
LAB University of Applied Sciences (formerly, Saimaa University of Applied Sciences)
Lappeenranta, Finland
Fall or Winter/Spring. Open to Business students for study of international business or tourism & hospitality management. Year-long Dual-Degree available for Tourism & Hospitality (must be a Junior or above at time of travel). Read more about available courses, 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).
France
University of Lille
Lille, France
Fall/Winter or Winter/Spring. Open to business students for upper-division study of management. Courses are taught in English. For more information, please visit Lille's incoming exchange student page.
Germany
Hochschule für Technik und Wirschaft des Saarlandes, University of Applied Sciences. (HTW Saar)
Saarbrücken, Germany
Fall/Winter or Spring. Open to both undergraduate and graduate business students. Full year students are eligible for a dual degree. Courses are taught in English. For more information about HTW Saar, coursework, and housing, please visit HTW's incoming exchange student page.
Summer Option: HTW Saar offers a summer business immersion course (approx. 3 weeks in length). SOU students receive 4 credits of BA 477: International Business.
Hochschule Harz, University of Applied Sciences
Wernigerode, Germany
Fall/Winter or Winter/Spring; full year recommended. Open to business students for the study of Hospitality & Tourism, Management, or Marketing. Full year students are eligible for a dual degree. Courses are taught in English. For more information about HS Harz, Wernigerode, coursework, and student life, please visit Harz's incoming exchange student page.
Japan
International College of Liberal Arts, Yamanashi Gakuin University (iCLA)
Kofu, Japan
Fall or Spring. Open to all majors for study of Japanese language and culture, with many additional elective courses taught in English. For information, including course listings, please visit iCLA's incoming exchange student page. For Spring semester, students must submit an SOU application by September 15 (earlier than many other programs).
Nagoya University of Foreign Studies (NUFS)
Nagoya, Japan
Fall or Spring. Open to all majors for study of Japanese language and culture. Some additional elective courses available in English. 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.
Okayama University
Okayama, Japan
Fall/Winter or Spring. Open to all majors for study of Japanese language and culture. For more information, please visit Okayama's incoming exchange student page.
Shinshu University
Matsumoto, Nagano, Japan
Fall/Winter or Spring. 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.
Tokyo International University (TIU)
Tokyo, Japan
Fall or Spring. Open to all majors for study of Japanese language and culture. Some additional electives available in English. TIU students immerse themselve in Japanese culture through a homestay. For more information, please visit TIU's incoming exchange student page. TIU often has more applications than we have exchange spots. Please consider other universities from this list or from our partner providers as alternatives.
Mexico
University of Guanajuato
Guanajuato, Mexico
Fall or Winter/Spring. Open to all majors for intensive Spanish language study or enrollment in the broad range of courses available (taught in Spanish) at Guanajuato. For those with Spanish proficiency, Guanajuato has a variety of coursework across the sciences, business, education, and the arts (visual and performance). Students immerse themselves in Spanish language and Mexican culture through a homestay. Guanajuato exchange students are encouraged to apply for a local scholarship from the Amigo Club of Ashland. For more information on Guanajuato, please visit Guanajuato's incoming exchange student page.
Summer Option: Intensive Spanish language courses.
South Korea
Chonnam National University
Gwangju, South Korea
Fall or Winter/Spring. Open to all majors for study in regular university classes (taught in English) in biology, business, economics, English literature, political science, and Korean studies. For more information about CNU, please visit their incoming exchange student page. (Allow extra time for CNU webpages to load).
Summer Option: Choose from a variety of classes taught in English, and explore Korea through group excursions. Students can take 4 or 8 credits during the four-week period (late June until late July) and experience Korean culture during the CNU International Summer Session.
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 DU students improve their language proficiency, and to make connections with local students. The next four weeks are spent taking coursework (classes available in the social sciences and Korean studies). Dankook reimburses the cost of the flight for students after successfully completing the English-teaching portion of the program. Open to all majors. Please visit the Dankook International Summer School page for more detailed information.Summer courses listed in late December/early January.
Sweden
Kristianstad University
Kristianstad, Sweden
Fall, Fall/Winter or Winter/Spring. Open to all majors for study in English-taught coursework alongside local students. Best fit may be for Education Studies, Communication, Business, Computer Science, and Environmental Science/Sustainability. The list of English-taught classes is limited, so it is recommended that you have some 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. 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).
Uruguay
Universidad Católica del Uruguay
Montevideo, Uruguay
Fall or Winter/Spring. 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.
For more information about majors and offerings: UCU's international student brochure
Application
The first step in applying is setting up a virtual meeting with a peer advisor by emailing studyaway@sou.edu or through Ariel Bloomer in International Programs on Navigate. The peer advisor will follow up on your meeting with an online application to complete. If you are a distance-learning student, please contact the peer advisor email below and let them know, so an alternative can be arranged.
Contact Us
To set up an appointment or ask any questions regarding study abroad please e-mail us at: studyaway@sou.edu
SOU Affiliated Programs
SOU affiliated, or "partner," programs include many different models, including direct enrollment in classes at a university abroad and cohort models of U.S. students taking small classes together in the field. Partner programs include academic year, semester, quarter, and summer programs. In any type of affiliated program, students are enrolled at SOU and therefore the course credit is recorded on their SOU transcripts. Institution-specific scholarships (ex. Honors College scholarship) would 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 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 Spaniards.
Applicants to API programs will automatically be considered for the API-SOU Scholarship, up to $500 for a single term or $1000 for a semester or year, and 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 many 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.
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 (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.
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.
Browse the GEO program page to see your options. 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.
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.
Semester at Sea
Semester at Sea offers semester-long voyages in Fall and Spring with classes available across many disciplines, like anthropology, business, communication, environmental science, international studies, and psychology. All Semester at Sea voyages on the MV
World Odyssey are 100+ days, explore at least 10 countries, and allow students to earn 12-15 semester credits from Colorado State University. Their multi-stop itineraries embed field trips from shipboard classes, allowing students to engage in comparative learning across the many cultures and destinations they visit.
Students are encouraged to apply to
Semester at Sea scholarships, which include both merit and need-based awards.
Visit Semester at Sea's website to learn more about upcoming voyage itineraries, and the courses available.
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.
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.
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), and special summer short programs with other U.S./international students (ex. Summer sessions in Cuba).
Applicants to USAC programs will automatically be considered for a USAC-SOU scholarship, and are encourage to complete a USAC scholarship application alongside their program application to be considered for additional funds through USAC.
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 a virtual 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 will be to meet with one of our peer advisors. You can set up an appointment by email (studyaway@sou.edu) or by requesting an appointment via Navigate.
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 a peer advisor know so they can send you the correct online application form.
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. Next, you will also need to fill out an application for the host university (SOU exchanges) or a provider application (for SOU affiliated providers). Keep in mind that a provider's deadline may be before or after SOU's deadline for turning in your application to our office. Their application processes are often multiple stages, so make sure you stay organized and continue to meet their deadlines.
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. Keep an eye out for study abroad scholarship info sessions on campus, and use the "Scholarships" tab here as a starting point for your search.
SOU Priority Deadline for Summer or Fall/Full-year programs: February 15
SOU Priority Deadline for Winter/Spring and Spring programs: October 15*
* Exchange programs for Kristianstad, Sweden; iCLA, Japan; and LAB, Finland have early deadlines set by the host institution and SOU application is needed by September 15 for these programs.
Please note that while this is the 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 federal financial aid or outside scholarships you may already receive, 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.
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 to access additional federal financial aid and become eligible for some of the need-based scholarships in this list.
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 "The Grand Canyon Semester" through Northern Arizona University; "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.
