Rowan University, like many other universities, offers students the opportunity to study abroad internationally in a number of different programs.
That said, most Rowan students will not study abroad. For a lot of students, studying abroad can feel like a far-off “maybe next year” that students who are interested tend to put off. Many fear that it will put off their graduation or that their degree in the U.S. is already stressful or expensive enough, without added arrangements.
Isabella Bermudez is a sophomore exercise science major who has considered studying abroad through Rowan but has not had the opportunity to yet. Bermudez would ideally want to study abroad somewhere in Europe.
“I don’t know [where exactly in Europe], but it’s always been appealing to me,” said Bermudez.
The two main study abroad program types offered are provider and exchange programs. Provider programs are more common, with more programs and locations offered for students. Provider programs offer semester, academic year, summer, or just the January term. Exchange programs only have ten universities in nine countries and are only offered for a single semester.
Provider programs typically offer much more on-site support for students studying abroad. For students who may not have the ability to be abroad for four months, faculty-led programs are typically much shorter, with 10-20 days abroad for a specific course.
Emily O’Donnell is a junior psychology major who would ideally want to study abroad in Italy, but find the opportunities are not suited to her needs as a student.
“I want to, but they don’t offer anything good for my major. I feel like Italy is near France and the U.K. and all of that,” said O’Donnell.
Zachary Braatz is a junior radio, television, and film major who has not studied abroad but would like to find a program in Japan. Rowan’s study abroad offers many options for students wanting to study in Japan.
“Japan would be the most interesting option. I’m currently studying Japanese and in a Japanese class and learning the language,” said Braatz, “I think it would be nice to learn other cultures, too.”
While it is encouraged by the Rowan study abroad program to learn the basics of non-English speaking host countries, it is not required, and all courses, with the exception of language courses, are taught in English.
For more information about the study abroad programs that Rowan offers, students should attend an informative Study Abroad 101 session with upcoming dates for March 11 and April 8 at 12 p.m. in the Student Center Expansion. The applications for the summer study abroad programs are due by March 26.
Students can also meet with Rowan education abroad advisors if there are lingering questions surrounding studying abroad. The study abroad program also provides a ‘quick guide’ style FAQ for general questions, as well as a provider vs. exchange program chart and a map of all exchange programs.
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