The application to study abroad for summer, fall and academic year 2012 is due by March 1 to the Office of International Education.

 

Studying abroad is an age-old practice that everyone will suggest you experience while in college; the Office of International Education is there to help you fulfill that experience so you can check it off your bucket list.

 

Samantha Sorensen, an assistant in the study abroad office, defines studying abroad as “stepping out of one’s comfort zone in order to experience a country that is different than their own.”

 

Sorensen explained that she was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to study abroad when she was a sophomore here at UW-Stout and states that it was a “life-changing experience.”

 

“[I] picked up communication skills, a new found passion for [my] major and a different perspective on what it means to be an American,” said Sorensen. “And it all happened outside of the classroom.”

 

The University of Wisconsin-Stout offers programs that last anywhere from two weeks to a full year. There are programs that allow you to study internationally or in different schools in the United States.

 

“There are over 50 different countries that a student could study in and over 400 different universities,” said Sorensen.  “I would say some of the best opportunities that our office provides include the exchange programs overseas. This means that students would still pay the same tuition they would at UW-Stout and simply a different meal and housing plan, which can make it very affordable.”

 

Sorensen said that when choosing a program, students should research the location for things like weather during a certain times of the year, cultural differences and the educational system.

 

“This will give students a brief insight as to what they are about to experience,” said Sorensen.

 

There are guidelines and processes that the student must follow in order to study abroad; they must also have completed their freshman year.

 

“The first opportunity a student could apply for a program would be one that takes place the summer after their freshman year,” said Sorensen.

 

After a student selects a school or program, they can apply to study abroad on the International Education website.

 

“When completing the application, [students] will need to meet with their program director to select courses, obtain recommendations from staff members, write a short essay and complete some additional application forms,” said Sorensen. “For most of our programs, a student will need to have a 2.5 GPA, although some do require higher GPAs. Contrary to popular belief, students can even start applying before they have a passport.”

The Office of International Education website is full of resources for students.

 

Topics range from the application process, questions to consider, how to finance your trip (financial aid is available), travel resources about individual countries, health insurance received through UW-Stout and information regarding passports and visas. The website also provides a link to LiveMocha, a language software to help you practice the language of the country you are traveling to should it be something other than English.

 

Whether it’s Europe, South America, Australia, Africa Asia or even locations across the United States, your dream destination is waiting for you and the opportunity of a lifetime.

 

Visit the Office of International Education in 400 Bowman Hall or their website, uwstout.studioabroad.com, for more information.