Want to Study Abroad?
Are you looking for a new experience? Do you want to travel affordably while still in college? If the answers to these questions are yes, then you should consider studying abroad. The University of Wisconsin-Whitewater offers many opportunities for students in the Communication Department. Here are a few reasons why you should study abroad:
- Easy way to learn a language - You may have been studying the language in a classroom, but what better way to learn than having to hear it every day? It's always easier to learn a language when you are around people who speak it on a regular basis.
- Opportunity to travel - It's cheaper to travel through a college program than it is to visit with your family for a week. Go to great places around the world while getting credit for your college education!
- Get to know another culture first hand - You will get to learn and live within a new culture that you may be unfamiliar with. It's fun to learn new customs and explore how they came about. It can also make you appreciate your culture even more.
- Going beyond what you learned in the classroom - Even though you may have learned about the culture in a classroom, experiencing it is even better. Also, you may learn new skills or strengths that you never knew you had.
- Make new friends - Host families are usually very welcoming and help you meet new people. Through classes and traveling the country, you may meet new people that you may keep in touch with after you're done traveling. Also, there are other students traveling with you who you may not have talked to before.
- Learning about yourself - What could be a better way to learn things about yourself that you may not have known before? You may come home with new ideas and perspectives on certain things. You may gain confidence in yourself that you didn't have before, and challenge your values and beliefs.
- Expand worldview - Learning about cultures and countries through classes and textbooks is not always the best way to relay information. Becoming part of a new community or even a new family lets you witness firsthand similarities and differences between what you know and what the rest of the world is like.
- Get away from the everyday routine - School, like anything in life, can grow tiresome and typical. Studying abroad is a great way to shake up your academic life. Make your learning experience feel more like a vacation than some boring lectures!
- Looks good on a resume - Employers like to see that you have studied abroad. It shows them that you have a world view outside of your own background. More and more, business is becoming a global entity and it's good to be prepared. Things like speaking a second language can be important to prospective employers and even make you more money at a job.
- Improve your communication skills - If you're a communications major, studying abroad is for you. Learn a second language, interact with new cultures, meet new people, make new friends, and explore new possibilities. What are you waiting for?
Contact Information
In order to study abroad, you need to attend an informational session!
Study Abroad Information Sessions
Information Sessions occur every week in room L2243 on:
Tuesdays at 10:00am
Wednesdays at 1:30pm
Thursdays at 1:30pm
International Office Location
Andersen Library, Suite 2243
800 West Main Street
Whitewater, WI 53190-1790
Office: 262-472-5759
Fax: 262-472-1491
Who should you contact?
Kevin Spears
Assistant Director of Study Abroad
Phone: (262) 472-5379
Email: spearsk@uww.edu
Kevin works with undergraduate students to help them find appropriate study abroad opportunities around the world. He is also in charge of academic year, semester and summer study abroad.
Financial Aid
You've decided to study abroad. You know where you're going. You've filled out all the applications. How are you going to pay for it?
Who is eligible for financial aid?
- All UW-Whitewater students enrolled in a 1st undergraduate degree program.
- All UW-Whitewater students enrolled in a graduate program.
- Students who have been enrolled full-time at UW-Whitewater at least one semester preceding the semester they plan to travel.
- All federal and state aid administered by the Financial Aid Office is awarded based on need.
- Students enrolled in travel study classes, which include the experience as part of the course requirements/syllabus are automatically eligible.
For more information on the financial aid process:
Financial Aid Office
Hyer Hall, 1st Floor
Or
(262) 472-1130 International Education & Programs
Andersen Library, Suite 2243
(262)472-5759
Scholarships and Grants
These scholarships and grants are currently available to Whitewater students:
Eligibility: Candidates must be undergraduate Wisconsin residents and enrolled in a program leading to a Bachelor's degree. Candidates must also demonstrate financial need and be enrolled full-time in the semester preceding the student's study abroad. These Grants are open to all majors for all international educational experiences (including semester programs, travel study programs, International field experiences, student teaching and overseas Internships).
There is a special application for this grant. Grant application forms are available in the Office of International Education & Programs. Completed applications, with the exceptions below, must be returned to the Office of International Education & Programs no later than May 31st for fall and winterim awards and November 15th for spring and summer awards.
Graham Study Abroad in Britain Award
Eligibility: The recipient must have attained at least junior standing at the beginning of the award and have an overall GPA of 3.0 or above. Candidates may have any major and must enroll for at least one semester at a university in Great Britain.
IMPORTANT: There is a special application for this scholarship. Applications for the Graham Study in Britain Award are available in the OIEP office and should be submitted to the History Department, Baker Hall 214, when completed. The deadlines for this scholarship are March 15th for fall semester programs and Oct. 15th for spring semester programs.
Ludeman Study Abroad Scholarship ($500 Award)
Eligibility: All UW-Whitewater students who have completed 24 credits, regardless of major, are eligible for this award. Candidates must have a GPA of 3.0 or better and must be participating in a semester or year-long program. Travel Study students are not eligible to apply. Only the students selected for these awards will be contacted.
Burton Heldt Study Abroad Scholarships ($400 - $1000 Awards)
Eligibility: All UW-Whitewater students who will have junior or senior standing, regardless of major, are eligible for this award. Candidates must have a GPA of 3.0 or better and must be participating in a semester or year-long program. Travel Study students are not eligible to apply. Only the students selected for these awards will be contacted. Recipients of this scholarship will have a mandatory service requirement to the OIEP.
College of Arts & Communication Study Abroad Scholarship ($500)
Eligibility: Candidates must have sophomore status or higher, a GPA of 3.0 or higher, and a major in Arts & Communication. Scholarship funding is provided by the College and is subject to availability.
Apply
Application for scholarships:
https://uww.studioabroad.com
If you do not want to go online to get the applications, they are also available at the International office located in the Anderson Library 2243
Available Programs for Communications Majors
UW Whitewater offers a ton of study abroad opportunities for any major
*For communications majors only
Australia - Murdoch University - Perth:
Open to all Majors. Full course curriculum offered.
Australia -Deakin University- Geelong, Melbourne or Warmabool:
Exchange slot for one Marine Biology major each semester. Also open to all majors as direct enrollment.
England -University of Hertfordshire- Hertfordshire:
Open to all majors. Courses in art, business, computer science, humanities and social sciences.
Finland -University of Jyväskylä- Jyväskylä:
Open to all majors. Many classes taught in English, like business, education and Finnish Studies.
Germany -Hessen -Wisconsin Exchange (Frankfurt, Giessen, Kassel, Marburg):
Open to all majors. Courses taught in German except German as a Foreign Language classes.
*Ireland -Dublin City University- Dublin:
For Journalism majors and minors.
Japan -Kansai Gaidai University- Osaka:
Open to all majors. Courses taught in English and Japanese
Japan -Sophia University- Tokyo:
Open to all majors. Courses taught in English and Japanese.
Mexico - Monterrey Tech (9 Mexican campuses):
Open to all majors. Classes taught in Spanish and English.
Sweden -Umeå University- Umeå:
Open to all Majors. Business and social science courses taught in English. Other courses taught in Swedish.
Switzerland -University of Bern- Bern:
Open to all Majors. Some classes taught in English. German and French language courses available.
If UW Whitewater doesn't have an exchange program that meets your needs, you can select a program through another UW campus. You will pay the UW school the actual price of their program. For more information visit: www.uwsa.edu/acss/abroad/index.htm
FAQS
Here are a few commonly asked questions for those thinking about studying abroad:
How do I apply for a visa?
Visit the U.S. visa website: http://www.unitedstatesvisas.gov/
What fees are required to apply to the UW-Whitewater study abroad program?
There is a $35 application fee and also a $100 admission fee that is applied directly to the student's tuition.
What type of financial aid is available to international students?
International students are eligible to apply for the International Student Scholarship that is based on academic achievement. Inquire about applying when you send in application materials to the Admissions Office.
When are the application deadlines for UW-Whitewater?
November 15th for Spring Semester admission, and June 15th for Fall Semester. Late applicants will be reviewed on an individual basis.
If I have all my application materials in to UW-Whitewater, how long does it take before I am issued an I-20 (insurance of a visa)?
Approximately two weeks.
Can I get credit towards my degree for studying abroad?
Yes, but check with your advisor to make sure that the classes you want to take can count towards your degree.
Can I study abroad if I don't speak a foreign language?
Yes. Many of the places will have people who speak English as professors and guides. It may be important to have a little knowledge of the language before you visit a place. Consider buying a book on the language and learn a few key words and phrases that may be useful.
(When abroad): Sometimes I get extremely homesick; sometimes I feel like I never want to go back home. Are these feelings normal?
It is normal to get homesick and it is normal to fall in love with your host country. In short, be prepared for many emotional ups and downs, but do not let these spoil your experience abroad. It is the good things that you will remember, and very few students report negative experiences when they return.
Do I need a bank account? How do I open one and what is the best way to transfer my money abroad?
For an extended stay abroad, a local bank account can be very useful. You usually receive an ATM/Debit card that will make financial transactions much easier and more cost-effective. Otherwise contact your current bank and see what your options are. Also, apply for a Visa Credit Card.