Study Abroad

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Explore Programs in the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal

Study abroad is an experience through which students gain major, minor, essential studies and/or elective credits while living and learning outside the United States. Studying abroad with WMU equips you with global knowledge, cross-cultural skills, and a broadened perspective—giving you a competitive edge in the job market and fostering lifelong learning and global connections.

Every journey starts with a single step! To being your study abroad journey, please:

Attend a Study Abroad Information Session.
Learn more about study abroad by reviewing the information on this webpage, including:
1. Types of study abroad programs
2. Application deadlines
3. Financial planning for study abroad (including funding and scholarships)
4. Travel documents (including passports and visas)
Consider your goals and plans for studying abroad.
Explore and identify 2-3 program options in within the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal that might be right for you.
Meet with experts in WMU Study Abroad, Academic Advising, and Financial Aid.
Begin your program application within the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal.

Attend a Study Abroad Information Session Sign-up

We consider attending an Information Session to be one of the first steps in the study abroad process! Info sessions are 30-minute virtual sessions (via Teams) that discuss frequently asked questions and guide students on how to find study abroad programs that meet their needs. Sign up below!

Information Session Schedule for Summer I & Summer II:

Tuesdays (virtual)

4 p.m.

Learn More about Study Abroad

Types of Study Abroad Programs

Study abroad programs vary in length, location, cost, number of travelers, academic focus and more. The following are general categories of study abroad programs:

Faculty-led programs are hosted and accompanied by WMU faculty representing various disciplines. Programs are generally short-term, ranging one week to ten weeks in length. For a list of current faculty-led programs, please click here. Please note that faculty-led programs may be added or removed to this list on an ongoing basis.
WMU exchange programs are programs in which WMU students register in classes at one of WMU's exchange partner institutions, and students from the exchange partner come to study at WMU for one or two semesters. In exchange programs, WMU students pay WMU tuition. For a list of current exchange programs, please click here.
Partner study abroad programs are programs in which WMU students are registered in courses at a partner institution. For a list of current partner programs, please click here.
University-approved provider programs are programs offered by companies or organizations that organize study abroad opportunities for students. For a list of WMU-approved program providers, please click here.
International internships are opportunities offered by organizations in which students gain field expertise abroad.
Study Abroad staff members also assist students who choose to participate in other independent study abroad opportunities. Students must have these activities approved by WMU Study Abroad prior to departure and meet specific requirements to receive credit toward their degree program.

WMU Study Abroad Application Deadlines

Study Abroad application deadlines for most programs are as follow:

Fall/Academic Year: February 15

Spring: September 15 or October 15

Summer I: January 31

Summer II: February 15

Please note that actual application deadlines may vary by program. To determine the application deadline for a specific program, please view the “Apply and Questions” tab on that program’s brochure in the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal.

Financial Planning for Study Abroad (including funding & scholarships)

When choosing a study abroad program, it is important to understand the financial costs associated with your study abroad, as well as your resources for funding (such as financial aid and scholarships).

Understanding study abroad program costs

Examining costs is a process of comparing your lifestyle at WMU (including tuition/fees and living costs) to the cost of your study abroad program.

Program cost factors

Costs vary greatly between study abroad programs. Consider the following factors that may impact the cost of your study abroad program.

Number of credits

Type of program (ex. Faculty-led, exchange, or partner program)

Program length and time

Room and board

Cost of living in the host country

Program inclusions (excursions, local transportation, etc.)

Breaking down study abroad budgets

The budget for each study abroad program is located on the “Costs & Scholarships” tab of each program brochure accessible in the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal. All budgets are made up of two major categories: Billable Amounts and Non-Billable Amounts.

Billable Amount (program Fee + tuition): This is the amount that will be charged to the student’s WMU Student Account for the WMU semester of study abroad enrollment. A description of what’s included in the Billable Amount is published on the “Costs & Scholarships” tab of each program brochure accessible in the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal

Non-billable Amount (out-of-pocket expenses): This amount reflects estimates for other costs directly related to participating in the academic program abroad. Some of these costs may vary according to individual preferences and needs. These estimates do not include activities that are not part of the academic program, such as personal travel, entertainment, shopping, etc. Students should plan to bring additional funds for their own personal activities.

Understanding study abroad funding resources

In most cases, any financial aid, grants, or scholarships you are already receiving here at WMU can be applied to study abroad costs. Additionally, there may be study-abroad specific scholarship opportunities you may apply for to help offset the costs of study abroad.

Financial aid for study abroad

In most cases, financial aid and scholarships received to study on campus may be applied to WMU study abroad programs. The cost estimate published on the study abroad online program brochure serves as the official financial aid budget. Students should take the budget to Student Financial Aid and Scholarships and meet with an advisor to determine any possible aid package. Federal, state and private financial aid may be applied to study abroad, including the Michigan Educational Trust and the Kalamazoo Promise (equivalent to cost of credit hours at WMU).

Students enrolled in courses offered by University-approved study abroad providers who are financial aid or scholarship recipients are also required to complete a budget sheet with their study abroad specialist prior to meeting with a financial aid advisor. Students are advised to bring cost estimates to the appointment with study abroad staff, including the program fee, anticipated round-trip airfare, costs for housing, meals, and local transportation, as well as any other program-related expenses. After meeting with a study abroad specialist, the student must make an appointment with financial aid to review the program budget and finalize any request for funding.

Special note to seniors: Once degree requirements are completed, students are no longer eligible for aid, per WMU's Student Financial Aid and Scholarships policy.

Scholarships

For more information on scholarship resources for study abroad, please click here.

The WMU Study Abroad Office recommends that students conduct extensive scholarship research to identify awards that are applicable to their study abroad plans.

In many cases, students receive scholarship awards from a variety of sources including the Haenicke Institute for Global Education, WMU academic colleges or departments, their study abroad program provider or host university abroad (if applicable), and other external funding sources.

Guaranteed Scholarship for Pell Grant Recipients

All students who receive the federal Pell Grant to attend WMU will automatically receive scholarship funding of at least $1,250 upon acceptance to a study abroad program administered by WMU Study Abroad; this includes faculty-led, faculty-directed, exchange, or study abroad partner programs.

Note: U.S. citizen undergraduate students who receive federal Pell Grants are strongly encouraged to apply for the Gilman Scholarship Program.

Travel Documents

Passport

A passport is a government-issued document that serves as proof of identity and citizenship and is required for international travel.

Western Michigan University advises students considering study abroad to apply for a passport as soon as they begin a program search. Students who already have a passport need to check the expiration date to ensure it will be valid for a minimum of six months beyond intended stay in the country.

For more information on applying for a U.S. passport, please see the U.S. Department of State "U.S. Passports" webpage.

Apply Early

Please note that processing for a first-time passport or passport renewal can take multiple weeks or months. It is important to apply early to ensure your passport will be available on time for your travel abroad (and to complete any visa processes that may be required).

For more information about current passport processing times, please see the U.S. Department of State "Get Your Processing Time" webpage.

Check for Any Additional Passport Requirements

Students who already have a passport need to check that their passport meets any additional requirements set by their host country (and any additional countries where they may plan to travel during their program). For example, many countries require that your passport expiration date be at least 3-6 months after your intended date of departure.

For more information on passport requirements for your host country, please see the U.S. Department of State "Learn about your Destination" webpage.

Please note that WMU Study abroad is not responsible for obtaining student passports, nor is it responsible for passport complications, delays, or denials. However, our staff are here to help guide and provide resources as much as is possible.

Visa

For more information and resources regarding visas, please click here.

A student visa is a government-issued immigration document granted by a consulate general or embassy, which allows you to legally study in a specific country for a specific date range. Typically, a visa is an endorsed sticker or stamp placed on the inside pages of your passport. Your student visa is as important as your passport; without it you will not be able to study abroad, if required by your host country.

Important Notes

Every country has their own process, requirements, and fees for applying for a visa. Some countries may require you to travel to an in-person appointment at a consulate or embassy in select U.S. cities.
Visa requirements and processes can change without notice. Therefore, it is important to consult official sources of information such as your host country consulate or other official visa application processing entity for any updated information.
Your visa requirements may be impacted by a variety of factors, including (but not limited to) your nationality, citizenship status, country you are traveling to, duration of your program, and more.

Please note that WMU Study abroad is not responsible for obtaining student visas, nor is it responsible for visa complications, delays, or denials. However, our staff are here to help guide and provide resources as much as is possible.

Consider Your Goals and Plans for Studying Abroad

When determining which study abroad program might be right for you, it is helpful to consider your goals for study abroad and any additional factors that may impact your study abroad plans.

Some things to consider:

Academic goals
Personal and professional goals
Duration and timing
Cost and resources
Other priorities

The "Considering your Study Abroad Priorities Guide" linked below lists guiding questions that may be helpful to consider as a part of planning your study abroad experience. Sharing these thoughts with your Study Abroad Specialist (during or prior to meeting with them) will help them to guide you to the study abroad program that best fits your needs.

considering_your_study_abroad_priorities_guide.pdf 163.61 KB

Explore and Identify Program Options Within the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal

After considering your goals and any factors that may affect your plans to study abroad, your next step is to explore program options through the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal. You should aim to identify 2-3 programs that most interest you.

Instructions for exploring program options via the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal

Navigate to the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal "Program Discovery".
Use one of the following methods to search for programs:
1. Filters: Click the "Filters" button at the top of the page and select criteria that match your interests (e.g., term, countries, program type).
2. Keyword Search: Enter keywords in the "Search" field at the top of the page (e.g., "Italy", "faculty-led", "summer").
If your search results include programs you'd like to learn more about, click on the program name to view its Program Brochure.
Within each Program Brochure, use the tabs at the top to navigate through different sections.
1. Brochures contain a wide variety of information about the program, often including an overview of the program and information on the academic calendar, eligibility, location, academics abroad, cost, passports, visas, housing, services abroad, health and safety, dates and deadlines, the path to study abroad, and helpful contacts.
  1. Please note that information shared on the brochure will vary by program and program type.

Meet with experts in WMU Study Abroad, Academic Advising, and Financial Aid

As a part of exploring and identifying study abroad program options that may be a good fit, students are encouraged to meet with experts in the following areas:

WMU Study Abroad: Students should meet with their WMU Study Abroad Specialist to discuss their goals and plans for studying abroad. Specialists can help guide students to programs that may best fit their needs and can assist in answering questions about the study abroad process.
1. Note: student's applying for a Partner or Exchange program are required to meet with their Study Abroad Specialist for one-on-one advising as a part of their application process. Students should contact their specialist as soon as possible to schedule this appointment.
WMU Academic Advising: Students should meet with their WMU Academic Advisor to discuss their plans for studying abroad and how it might fit best into their academic plans.
1. Note: student's applying for a Partner or Exchange program will be required to work closely with their WMU Academic Advisor as a part of their application process. Students on these programs will need to obtain official approval from their advisor (via the "WMU Study Abroad Course Pre-Approval Form") confirming how the courses they will take abroad will be counted towards their academic requirements at WMU.
WMU Financial Aid: Students are encouraged to meet with an advisor in the WMU Financial Aid Office/Bronco express to discuss how studying abroad may impact their financial aid package.

Begin your Program Application Within the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal

Once you have determined your top study abroad program of interest and are ready to begin your application, please follow the steps below.

Instructions for beginning a program application via the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal

Access to the WMU Study Abroad Application Portal "Program Discovery" and navigate to the Program Brochure for your program of choice.
Click the "Apply Now" button located on the brochure.
1. For programs with an open application cycle, you will see an "Apply Now" button located on both the "Overview" and "Apply & Questions" tabs.
2. If the "Apply Now" button is not visible, this means that the application is not yet open for that program. Please check back later and/or reach out to the Study Abroad Staff indicated on the "Apply and Questions" tab to express your interest.
Log in via the "User Login" screen that appears.
1. WMU students should click "Log in with Campus ID", and log in using their Bronco NetID and Password.
Once logged in, select the term for which you are applying to study abroad. Then click "Continue" to keep working on your application.

Note: student's applying for a Partner or Exchange program are required to meet with their Study Abroad Specialist for one-on-one advising as a part of their application process. Students should contact their specialist as soon as possible to schedule this appointment.

For more information about the study abroad application process, please click here.