Study Abroad FAQs
- Why should I study abroad?
- Who can study abroad?
- Where can I go?
- How long can I study abroad?
- Do I need to speak a foreign language?
- How much will studying abroad cost?
- Can I use my Financial Aid and/or SNHU scholarships to study abroad?
- Can I go abroad in summer; what is the cost?
- How many classes do I have to take?
- How will my grades transfer to SNHU?
- Will I still be enrolled at SNHU while studying abroad?
- Will studying abroad affect my graduation date?
- How do I choose a program?
- What is the application process and when is the deadline?
- Do I need health insurance when I go abroad?
- Do I need a passport, visa, or an International Student ID card?
- How do I get started?
- Where do I go for more information?
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Studying abroad is an experience of a life time! It will enable you to gain experience and insights into another culture and see the world from a different perspective. Not to mention, you may have the opportunity to learn another language. Living and studying abroad is a unique opportunity and now may be the best chance in your life to go abroad. You will undergo tremendous personal and intellectual growth impossible to achieve by staying in your home campus. Additionally, employers highly value effective cross cultural communications skills and critical thinking in prospective employees. An international experience is sure to enhance your resume. Spending time abroad does require a considerable commitment – academically, emotionally, and financially. But the return on the investment is well worth it!
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Any full time SNHU undergraduate or graduate student, including CE and Online students, currently in good academic and social standing with a clear disciplinary record, who has studied for at least two (2) semesters at a university are eligible. Students must have successfully completed the previous semester at SNHU as a full time student. SNHU requires a 2.75 minimum cumulative GPA for undergraduate students and a 3.0 minimum cumulative GPA for graduate students at the time of application. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. International students are also eligible to study abroad. Sponsored international students must provide a written clearance from their sponsor before been accepted; visa and immigration issues must be also considered. SNHU employees are not eligible to participate.
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You can choose to study in one or more countries around the world in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, North and South America. University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) is our preferred study abroad provider, and has 39 offices in 25 countries around the Globe. Southern New Hampshire University does not recommend or approve studying in countries or regions of the world for which official Travel Warnings have been issued by the U.S. Department of State. Students are highly encouraged to investigate options carefully to determine which programs will suit best their career goals and personal interests. By defining your goals, you will have a better chance of finding the most appropriate program.
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You can study abroad for a maximum of one full academic year or two semesters, consecutively or not, plus one summer term. You can also choose to study a semester in one country and the next semester in another country.
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No, USAC will accept you in all their locations around the world without a language pre-requisite. However, we urge you take advantage of the unique opportunity to learn a new language or build upon your current foreign language skills by fully immersing yourself in a new culture abroad. Most approved programs offer courses taught in English across disciplines. There is always the option of studying abroad in an English speaking country such as Australia, Canada, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa, and Singapore, among other countries.
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SNHU would like to make studying abroad affordable to all students. You should be able to study abroad for approximately the same cost of studying on campus, plus your airfare and your personal expenses. The cost of attending a program abroad will vary from student to student depending upon personal spending habits, and the currency exchange rate in the host country. Students will pay regular SNHU tuition (regardless of the actual foreign program cost), during their study abroad term. Students are responsible for the cost of their own room & board, meals, local transportation, entertainment, passport expenses, visas (if required), optional cultural travel, personal expenses and airfare to/from the host destination. Room & Board costs vary in different countries: UK and European destinations may cost as high as $5,500, and Asia and Latin America can be as low as $1,500 per semester. You may also want to budget about $2,000 for cultural travel. As part of the Study Abroad application all students complete a budgetary worksheet that calculates the Cost of Attendance and a reasonable budget for their time abroad.
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Yes, federal funds, including Pell Grants, Federal Supplemental Educational Grants, Perkins Loans, and Stafford Loans, awarded as part of your aid package are available to assist with study abroad costs on approved SNHU programs. However, Federal Work Study cannot be applied to studying abroad. Academic and institutional scholarships as well as State grants may also be used for study abroad. You must submit your approved Study Abroad Expense Budget Form to the Financial Aid Office so appropriate paperwork can be completed in a timely manner. If necessary, qualified students and their parents can take out additional loans to help offset the costs of studying abroad. Please note that additional borrowing cannot exceed the Cost of Attendance. Study Abroad scholarships are offered by USAC and by various educational and governmental sources. Scholarship deadlines come much earlier than program application deadlines.
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The summer months provide an ideal time for students to go abroad, who otherwise may not be able to go during the year due to work, sports or academic schedules. USAC and SNHU partners offer many summer options for study abroad. Students pay SNHU tuition based on the number of credits (normally 3 - 6) or the program cost, whichever is higher. USAC summer programs include, in many cases, overseas accommodation and cultural excursions at no additional cost. As with semester programs, students are responsible to pay for their own airfare to/from the host country as well as housing, entertainment, passport expenses, visas (if required), personal & additional travel expenses.
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You must enroll in at least 12 SNHU undergraduate equivalent credit hours per semester to maintain a full time student status, and have the approval of your faculty advisor for coursework counting towards your major. The maximum number of credit hours students can enroll while abroad is 15 SNHU undergraduate equivalent credit hours. Full time is defined by the host university or program provider. The number of actual courses taken will vary according to the program. In consultation with your faculty advisor, you can take a combination of courses towards Major, Minor, Block or Elective credit. Graduate students require an enrollment minimum of 9 credit hours per semester or equivalent, or an approved mix of coursework and research to be determined and approved by your graduate supervisor.
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SNHU allows for the transfer of credit from all approved study abroad programs. Study abroad courses must be taken for a grade, not on Pass/Fail basis; only courses completed with the grade of “C” (or the equivalent) or better will earn study abroad credit. Grades obtained overseas will be posted in your transcript with the course title, the number of credits earned, and designation of the foreign school. In most cases they will not affect your academic standing at home as they WILL NOT be computed in your SNHU GPA (Trinity, and SIT; are the exception). If you receive a non-passing grade studying abroad, the course title and designation of the foreign university or program will be entered on your transcript with a letter “N” to signify “no credit”.
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Students who choose to study abroad will be enrolled in special courses designated "Study Abroad" in the SNHU system for the duration of their time abroad. Thus, students will maintain active student status and be eligible for financial aid, scholarships, SNHU email accounts, etc. Upon successful completion of coursework abroad, the Host University or program will issue a transcript to our office; the credits earned will then be transferred to become a permanent part of your SNHU record.
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In most cases, it should not. Because SNHU allows coursework taken abroad to transfer back to your SNHU records, you should not miss any time in your course sequence, and be able to graduate with your class. It is suggested that you meet with your faculty advisor early on to discuss your plans to go abroad, so necessary accommodations can be made.
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This will require some research, talking to other students who have been abroad, and self reflection. When selecting a study abroad program, there are many important questions you should ask yourself first: Where do I want to go? What do I want to study? What type and length of program do I want? Do I want to take courses with other Americans or enroll directly in a foreign university? Am I independent and willing to take risks? What are my career goals? Do I want to live with a host family or in a university residence? Will cost be an issue? How many credits taken abroad will count towards my degree? What types of courses are offered abroad? Do I want to focus on learning a foreign language? How much integration into the foreign culture do I want? How will my decision to go abroad affect my family? By defining your goals early on, you will have a better chance of finding a program that best fits your academic and personal needs. The SNHU staff can help you every step of the way!
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You must complete the SNHU study abroad application on time and meet general eligibility requirements. In addition, you can expect to complete a second program or host university application for the specific program you are applying to. Do not send this second application directly, but bring it to our office; we will FedEx it to the provider. There are generally two SNHU deadlines each year: 1st OF MARCH for summer, fall and full year programs, and the 1st OF OCTOBER for spring semester programs. Some foreign schools have EARLY APPLICATION DEADLINES it is always a good idea to pay close attention not to miss them as they do not necessarily coincide with SNHU campus deadline.
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Yes. There is a mandatory medical and accident insurance requirement for all SNHU students participating in a study abroad program. If international insurance is not provided by the program provider students will purchase insurance from Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). CISI administers the plan for SNHU students. You must purchase this insurance upon acceptance into the Study Abroad Program.
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You must have a current passport (which must be valid for at least 6 months past the date of your return) in order to travel outside of the U.S. It is strongly recommended that you begin the passport application process early; if it is your first time, apply as soon as you begin looking into programs. It has been known take more than 8 weeks for a new passport to be issued. Applications instructions and downloadable forms can also be found at http://www.travel.state.gov/ and/or residence permits are required for most countries and it is the student’s responsibility to obtain them. Important Note: Some destinations (currently – France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Argentina, and Chile) require travel to their closest U.S. consulate for a personal interview when applying for a visa and students must make plans accordingly and prepare the necessary documentation. After acceptance, USAC will provide details on visa applications; our office can assist where necessary. International Student ID cards (ISIC), will be issued by our office to all students going
abroad. The ISIC card is a recognized proof of student status abroad, and offers special discounts on travel, accommodations, museum fees, and other.
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The first step is to schedule a meeting with the Director of the Study Abroad and International Programs. You can pick up an application packet at these information sessions and be informed on the process. Stop by the OSAIP during regular office hours and take a look through our reference materials in our library to select your best destinations; search the foreign universities websites for course offerings and course descriptions before filling your Course Approval Form. Make an appointment with the Director to discuss your options and program selection, and receive cross-cultural advice. Once you have chosen your program, discuss your course selection with your faculty advisor; He/She must sign your “Course Approval Form”.
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Attend one of our Study Abroad Fairs held twice a year each September and February.
Visit our website: http://www.snhu.edu/895.asp
Write to us:
International Affairs Office
Robert Frost Hall, Suite 112
Southern New Hampshire University
2500 North River Road
Manchester, NH 03106
Phone: 603.629.2211, ext. 2221.
Email: studyabroad@snhu.edu