Study Abroad

International academic experiences help students develop the personal and professional skills required to become effective and viable global citizens in a diverse world. Eastern Illinois University recognizes study abroad as a fundamental component of excellence in higher education and encourages all students to take advantage of the fine opportunities available. It is the desire of the University to move study abroad from the exception to the norm and to emerge as a leader of international education within Illinois, the nation, and the world.

Office of Study Abroad

The Office of Study Abroad, in consultation with the International Programs Advisory Council, establishes and monitors policies and procedures for credit-bearing activities and programs that take place outside of the United States. The Office of Study Abroad is dedicated to providing EIU students with affordable, high quality international academic opportunities that allow them to develop the knowledge and skills necessary for leadership in an interdependent world. A resource center and full range of comprehensive services are available for students seeking to integrate an international experience into their studies at Eastern Illinois University. Campus-wide events and weekly information meetings are offered to provide additional information.

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Programs are offered all over the world and range in length from two weeks to an academic year. Program costs vary, but students are able to study abroad for less than it costs to study and live on campus. Students are encouraged to explore opportunities early in their academic career.

EIU Programs are posted at www.eiu.edu/~edabroad. These programs have been evaluated and approved to meet the goals of academic departments and the mission/strategic plan of the Institution at large. These programs offer EIU credit toward a variety of major, minor, and general education requirements. Deadlines vary by program and program type, but are generally March 1st for Summer and Fall programs and October 1st for Spring programs.

Non-EIU Programs must be approved by the Office of Study Abroad via a Petition for Program Approval. Like EIU programs, Non-EIU Programs may satisfy major, minor, and general education requirements if approval is granted by the appropriate Department Chairs. Unlike EIU Programs, the individual courses that a student takes do not appear on the transcript; rather, they are brought into the institution as simple transfer credit.

EIU Exchange Programs
Eastern Illinois University and a partner institution abroad swap one or more students for a semester or academic year; the students pay their home institution tuition. This type of program keeps administrative costs low and is one of the most economical ways to study abroad. In order to keep balances in check, the number of students who can participate is limited. This makes exchange programs more competitive than others.

EIU One-Way Programs
Students enroll in a partner institution abroad that has an agreement with Eastern Illinois University. This institution has been evaluated and approved by the Office of Study Abroad and is monitored for quality academics and service. Since there is no intermediary, costs are kept to a minimum. The University works with counterparts at these institutions to provide an on-site orientation and student support services.

EIU Third-Party Providers
Students enroll in an institution abroad via an approved company or organization that is in the business of facilitating study abroad programs in a variety of locations around the world. Many of these Providers have resident directors available 24/7 and include tuition, housing, insurance, and excursions as a package deal. Because they are for-profit, they are usually the most expensive option in any given country. They do have a reputation of taking good care of students and handling a wide variety of issues that may arise.

EIU Faculty-Led
Departments may offer courses that have a study abroad component. These travel courses are usually more structured than the programs above and are offered during the summer. They are led by a faculty member and tend to last between two to six weeks. Faculty members are with the students throughout the duration of the trip and arrange a mix of lectures, exercises, excursions, and group time. Apply for a faculty-led program through the School of Continuing Education.

Non-EIU Programs
For any Non-EIU Program, a student must submit a Petition for Program Approval to the Office of Study Abroad. The likelihood for approval is high as long as the program is recognized by the Ministry of Education in the host country and the student can demonstrate how the program meets academic and professional goals. If approved to go on a Non-EIU Program, the student is still obligated to follow proper procedures in order to receive transfer credit.

Students must have completed one semester at EIU (for programs that are not faculty-led or run through consortia) and be in good academic and judicial standing. No student who is on academic or disciplinary probation will be allowed to study abroad on any program through EIU.

Eligibility requirements vary by program. Students must meet eligibility and admission requirements of EIU, Host Partners, and Third-Party Provider Partners in order to qualify for a particular study abroad program.

Enrollment is processed through the Office of Study Abroad and the School of Continuing Education (for faculty-led programs only). Information and application materials can be found at www.eiu.edu/~edabroad.

For exchanges and faculty-led programs, students pay EIU tuition. For all other study abroad programs, EIU tuition is waived and students pay the host institution’s tuition or third-party provider fees.

Health Insurance as provided through the payment of regular academic fees while attending EIU does not cover students while in transit or during the program while in a foreign country.

International medical/hospitalization coverage is required of all participants who travel for study abroad programs. Participants are responsible for acquiring this coverage on their own and must provide the Office of Study Abroad with a copy of their insurance card.

The University also requires participants to carry supplemental insurance for international travel that includes Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Coverage. More information can be found on the Study Abroad website: www.eiu.edu/~edabroad.

Note: The fees above pertain to all study abroad programs; however additional costs will be incurred. These costs vary by program. See www.eiu.edu/~edabroad for program budgets and detailed information.

Most federal and state aid can be used for study abroad. Other aid may be available also. For a current list of scholarships in study abroad, visit www.eiu.edu/~edabroad/scholarships.html. Some of the most prominent national scholarships include the Gilman, Fulbright, Boren, and Rotary.

In addition to financial aid and national scholarships, Eastern Illinois University also offers study-abroad specific scholarships to students:

Don and Pam Sundheim Study Abroad Scholarship
For students majoring in any foreign language who wish to study their target language abroad at some time during their junior or senior year.

Kate and Cliff Strandberg Study Abroad in Sweden Scholarship
For study at Vaxjo University in Sweden. Preference is given to School of Technology majors.

Richard L. Crouse Memorial Scholarship
For Spanish majors in study abroad programs whose primary purpose is to improve proficiency in Spanish or Portuguese.

William V. Weber Study Abroad Scholarship
For any study abroad program. Preference will be given to minority students and first generation college students with financial need.

If a student cancels participation in any study abroad program, he/she must send a written, signed notice of cancellation to the Office of Study Abroad. If the written, signed notice of cancellation is received 30 or more days prior to the program’s start date, the student will be charged only for a $50 processing fee. If the written, signed notice of cancellation is received 29 or fewer days prior to the program start date, or the program has already commenced, the student will be charged for all fees normally charged by EIU in association with the program.

This refund policy is not applicable to faculty-led and other special EIU study abroad programs. There is a separate refund policy for faculty-led and other special EIU study programs, which is clearly outlined in the registration paperwork.

Students may not study abroad as follows:

• in their home country (international students)
• in U.S. states or territories
• in a country which is under a travel warning
• at an institution not recognized by its Ministry of Education

Study Abroad Society is a registered student organization with a membership that consists of EIU students who have returned from study abroad experiences. This society hosts “welcome back” events for new returnees, organizes a variety of social gatherings to connect members, and invites its membership to increase campus awareness about the benefits of study abroad through service-oriented activities. Its primary purpose is to unite study abroad alumni at EIU.

STA 3960, 3961, 3962, 3990, and 4275. Other study abroad courses may be offered through the departments.