Application Steps
Step #1
Evaluate
When considering what type of program is appropriate for you, you will need to think about where you want to study and how you plan to incorporate your international experience into your studies. The following questions are a good place to start in asking about yourself and what kind of study abroad experience you want, and how the program will fit into your academic plan.
Academic
- How will studying abroad fit into your academic plan?
- How much time do you want to spend abroad? One week? A summer? A semester?
- Does your major or minor have requirements that might be best met through study abroad, such as language, internships or coursework?
- Does the program in which you plan to participate have language requirements or other prerequisites?
- Are you interested in a program taught entirely in another language, or are you interested in a program that focuses on a specific academic discipline?
Program
- What countries, cultures and/or languages interest you?
- How immersed in the culture do you want to be?
- Are you looking for a program that requires a great deal of independence, or would you prefer a program in which many of the arrangements are made for you?
- Are you able to adapt to different styles of learning?
- Do you want to explore your family's heritage?
- Is there something happening in the world today about which you want to learn more?
Financial
- What is your budget? How much can you afford to spend?
- Do you need to retain financial aid eligibility to finance your program?
Step #2
Start your Search
Familiarize yourself with the Study Abroad website. You can start by creating a profile on the site that will help in defining the kind of programs in which you might be interested and considerations you might have in studying abroad. Once your profile is complete, you can search by term (fall, spring, summer, Travel Study), language, field or study, or location (city, country or region). Schedule an appointment with the Study Abroad office to ask questions and gain more information about program options and the application process. The director would be happy to meet with you to answer your questions and help you find the program that is right for you and your academic plan.
Step #3
Meet with your Academic Advisor
Meeting with your major advisor early will make the study abroad process even easier. Your major advisor can help you figure out how and when to fit study abroad into your academic plans and what classes to take while abroad. Additionally, the Study Abroad office can help explain what types of courses are offered on each program. Some course equivalencies for programs have already been ascertained and can be found on this website. For courses that do not yet have Lewis equivalencies, the Study Abroad office can coordinate with you and the relevant departments to ascertain how they will count here at Lewis. For Travel Study programs, please check each specific program page for the courses offered on the program. Keep in mind that the deadlines for study abroad are at least a semester in advance of the program itself.
Step #4
Figure Out your Budget
ľ¹ÏÓ°Ôº Study Abroad programs are structured to be within the financial reach of most Lewis students. Overall costs are comparable to ľ¹ÏÓ°Ôº tuition and living in the residence halls on campus. The program charges vary on the program length, transportation costs and the cost of living in the host country.
Program charges, and what those include, are posted on the individual program pages or may be obtained from the Study Abroad Office. In general, the program charges for the semester and summer programs include tuition, housing, some kind of a meal plan, and any excursions that might be included in the program. In addition to the program charge, you will also be charged a $500 Study Abroad fee by ľ¹ÏÓ°Ôº. This fee, as well as the program charges, will be placed on to your student account during the term in which you are studying abroad. In most cases, airfare is not included in the program fees for summer and semester programs.
For Lewis Study Travel programs, the program charge normally includes airfare, accommodation, museum entrance fees, local transportation, medical insurance, and some group meals. For most Travel Study programs, the program charge will be placed onto your student account during the Spring semester.
A student who enrolls in a ľ¹ÏÓ°Ôº sponsored Study Abroad program will be considered for financial aid as if they were enrolled at Lewis. A student who enrolls in a non-sponsored Study Abroad program approved for Credit by the Academic Department will be considered for all financial aid with the exception of any Lewis Institutional financial aid. You should visit the Financial Aid office to enquire how a study abroad program will affect your financial aid package and if you may qualify for any additional aid. For Lewis University sponsored programs, the program fees are placed onto your student account and you will be registered for Lewis courses.
Step #5
Apply
Complete the application online at the Lewis Study Abroad website. You will need to submit the following:
- A Statement of Purpose (a 1-2 page essay about how the program will fit into your academic plan, the courses you plan to take, and any challenges you think you might face while abroad. Keep it simple and don’t stress about the essay too much! This is a great for us to know a little more about you and your goals.)
- Either a pdf of your Lewis Degree Works or an unofficial copy of your ľ¹ÏÓ°Ôº transcripts
- Two (2) academic recommendation (these are requested through the application system and should be from professors who are familiar with your academic work)
That's it! Once you have submitted the materials mentioned above, the Study Abroad Office will review your application and make a decision about your acceptance into semester or summer program. You will be promptly notified in writing of the decision. Decisions concerning acceptance into a Lewis Travel Study program will made by the faculty leading the program to which you have applied.
Step #6
Relax
After applying, wait to hear from the Study Abroad Office via e-mail or log into the Study Abroad website to view your application status. Students receive a response within 1-3 weeks after the application deadline, although some programs are on rolling admissions basis and you can receive a decision even before the program deadline. Once accepted, commit to the program, get that passport ready, and start packing!
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