For a college student, one of the most rewarding learning experiences can be taking advantage of overseas programs. Becoming immersed in other cultures, constantly exploring new customs, learning a foreign language and becoming personally acquainted with historical monuments are experiences that go beyond formal education. A study abroad program gives students a chance to discover a part of the world and carry it with them throughout their life.
Even though summer is approaching, it's not too early to think about applying for overseas study.
Through overseas studies programs, students can either take courses through their own university, another college or university within the U.S. or through a university abroad. Either way, most classes are accepted as regular credit and count towards your degree. Take a Shakespeare class and see a play at The Globe in London or practice your French at a cafe in Paris. Learn Spanish history by touring the streets of Madrid or take a semester at sea and travel around the world in 100 days.
Programs vary, giving students the choice of living with host families or on campus. Classes offered include nearly every discipline and usually, weekends abroad are reserved for traveling or field trips. Loans and scholarships are available for financial support. Study Abroad is offered every semester, including summers, and it is available through numerous universities around Milwaukee.
UW-Milwaukee administers about 24 such programs each year and welcomes applications from both UWM and non-UWM students. Some of the programs offered include opportunities to study in Canada, Germany, Chile, Japan, Ireland or Poland. For more information, contact the L&S Overseas Program through the Center for International Studies by calling 1-800-991-5564 or visit http://www.uwm.edu.
Alverno College offers both long and short term study abroad opportunities and participates in a formal student exchange program with six foreign universities, allowing students to have access to personal advising while they are there. Alverno also offers direct enrollment in foreign universities where participating students enroll to take classes in countries such as Scotland, Denmark, Italy, the Netherlands and Northern Ireland. For more information, call Alverno College at 1-800-933-3401 or email admissions@alverno.edu.
Marquette University allows students to immerse themselves in other cultures by giving participants the opportunity to study abroad for a semester, a year or a few weeks in summer. For more information, contact carol.devlin@marquette.edu.
Wisconsin Lutheran College continually provides students with study abroad opportunities in Jamaica, Mexico, the Middle East and Europe. The sponsoring academic departments describe these programs in more detail. For more information, contact the college at admissions@wlc.edu or by calling (414) 443-8811.
{INSERT_RELATED}For those not in college who simply want to experience learning abroad, the National Registration Center for Study Abroad (NRCSA) welcomes all ages for intercultural programs as short as a week or as long as a year. The programs begin weekly throughout the calendar year and are offered to college students as well as working adults, professionals and retired persons.
With programs in over 30 countries, NRCSA assures quality using both on-site and student evaluations. Through a pre-registration process, students can select a program bested suited for their individual needs. For more information call (414) 278-0631 or visit the website www.nrcsa.com.
