There are two categories of options for semester study abroad: SU partner programs and unaffiliated programs.
SU Partner Programs
SU partner programs have been carefully vetted by faculty and international education professionals at the University and reflect the mission of the Center for International Programs (CIP) and the University’s academic departments. SU partner programs provide for an effective international extension of students’ studies, and can have a number of benefits touching on areas from credit transfer to housing and meals.
Our Partnerships
Shenandoah University is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), a global network of 300 universities. This partnership allows students to study for a full semester or year at other member campuses abroad.
Students should not plan earning money from work study during the time they are abroad. Please take this into account when budgeting.
- Program application fees
- Passports
- Visas
- Immunizations
- Airfare
- Room and board costs during program breaks
- Books
- Personal expenses
Students must consider these additional costs when planning their study abroad experience.
If participating in an ISEP program, an extra cost of $475 (placement and application fee) will be added to your account and billed as a separate item.
Unaffiliated Programs
Because of the effort that has been put into SU’s varied partner program offerings, the University encourages students to participate in them. Nonetheless, it is sometimes appropriate for a student to participate in an unaffiliated program if location, enrollment capacity, minimum prerequisites, or academic offerings cannot be reasonably matched by a SU partner program. Note that an unaffiliated program selected by a student may not duplicate a study abroad program already offered by SU. In all cases, students must have advance approval of their plan of study by the appropriate departmental advisor.
If a student chooses to participate in an unaffiliated study abroad program, the student must take a leave of absence during the period of participation. Students are responsible to pay all fees directly to the unaffiliated study abroad program and will not be eligible for Shenandoah University financial aid while studying abroad. Students who return to SU, after completing an unaffiliated semester program, will need to provide transcripts to the Registrar’s Office to be considered for transfer credit. Students must return to SU within one academic year of taking the leave of absence in order to maintain their enrollment without reapplying for admission.
Advance Approval of Credit for Specific Courses
Students must obtain advance approval from their academic advisor for academic coursework taken abroad that they wish to have credited towards their major or minor or to fulfill University requirements. Such credit may be subject to certain limits regarding the number of credit hours that may be applied to General Education requirements and/or the major or minor requirements of academic departments, and departments have the final say as to whether a course can count for academic programs at SU. Courses are not always known in advance, however, and are usually subject to availability and the possibility of change. In situations where the actual courses differ from the courses originally approved prior to departure, students must seek approval of these new or changed courses by emailing their academic advisors or appropriate authority (and copying the Study Abroad Advisor). As always, when securing course approvals, students need to check with their academic advisor so that they are assured that they are not repeating a course, as SU cannot grant credit for duplicate courses. Proof of approval can consist of a signature on the approval form or an email from the appropriate authority.
