Mentor Advice
Question
What if I can't study abroad as an undergraduate? Are there any study abroad programs at the graduate level?
3 Replies from Mentors
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DaphneGraduate AdvisorStudent Government at North Carolina State UniversityYes, in fact, I have participated in two programs during my graduate years in college. It is always important to ask program coordinators if an undergraduate study abroad opportunity can be taken for graduate credit...in most cases, they will consider giving you additional work to fulfill the requirements.
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Kenya CaseyStudy Abroad AdvisorEmory UniversityConsider conducting research as a way to gain an academic experience abroad while in graduate school. Check with your department to inquire about research grants. I actually received a grant from another university to conduct research one summer in Ethiopia. Look into whether or not you qualify for one of the Fulbright research grants. There are programs for graduate students, but you may find that there are several faculty at your university who are leading research projects overseas.
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AmyGraduate StudentUCLAYes, there are a lot of opportunities to study abroad as a graduate student! I was unable to study abroad as an undergrad, so I was in this exact position as a beginning graduate student. A lot of programs available to you are based on teaching or language acquisition (sometimes related to business/ management like UCLA's programs in Shanghai and Lima), but if you are looking for other international experience specific to your research or career interests, find out which universities have particularly big graduate programs in your field. Then look on their websites; these universities will probably have study abroad programs that incorporate international language and culture with topics relevant to your discipline. For education, I think NYU's Steinhardt School has some really interesting programs. Plus, as a graduate student, you have access to several funding resources (e.g. FLAS, Fulbright Grant, Rhodes Scholarship, Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarships, international center & non-profit scholarships, disseration grants and fellowships) that are responsive to graduate students who may be more academically focused than undergraduates.