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Participants

Study Abroad program

Where will your studies take you?

Studying abroad is a great way to enhance your education—and your personal life. As you might imagine, a lot goes into this program, so be sure to read through all the info provided so that you have a good understanding of what you can expect with this program. 

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Timeline

Steps to study-abroad success

 

Here is a sample timeline of the steps you’ll need to take about 9 to 12 months prior to your departure:

1

Schedule a meeting with us.

2

Apply for a passport.

3

Research types of programs.

Ask yourself, What type of program is right for me? Pay close attention to program-application deadlines, eligibility requirements, and dates.

4

Meet with your advisor

Discuss your study-abroad plans with your academic advisor to figure out which classes you should take and what term to go.

5

Create an account in ViaTRM.

ViaTRM is the university’s study-abroad application and database platform. Use your PFW username and password to access the site. Complete and submit a PFW Study Abroad application in ViaTRM. Be certain to complete the entire application—all information and all required forms.

6

Complete the program-specific application.

Do this if the program you’re interested in requires one. The Study Abroad Program does not guarantee acceptance into any program or institution, but we’re happy to help you have a more competitive application.

7

Get a program budget.

Once you’ve been placed/accepted into your program, get a program budget from our office and meet with the Office of Financial Aid to discuss financial aid options. 

8

Submit your list of courses.

Provide the list of courses to the director of study abroad to facilitate course approvals.

Note: This step applies only to ISEP applicants.

9

Register for courses.

Register for courses same as on campus. Your faculty leader should be able to advise you about course number and section.

Note: This step applies only to faculty-led applicants.

10

Attend meetings and orientation.

Attend any required predeparture meetings and complete predeparture online orientation.

 

11

Prepare to depart.

Be sure to arrange for your visa and flight. You are responsible for ensuring you have all correct visas and travel documents, and for reserving your flight (unless it’s provided by your program). Be aware of all deadlines.

Types of Programs

See all the details.

This International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) allows you to study abroad for a semester or a full year. 

Key Characteristics

  • Independent
  • Regular classes at the university with locals
  • Pay for PFW tuition, housing, and meals; host university then provides
  • Transfer credit: request approval via PFW departments
  • Grades CR/NC (earn C or better) are not factored in GPA
  • Competitive acceptance

Considerations

  • Longer length (semester or year)
  • Access to entire university catalog
  • May need proficiency in host language
  • Housing may be off campus, shared apartment, or dorm
  • Different system of teaching and learning
  • Cost efficiency: tuition, housing, and meals cost same as on campus

This International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) allows you to study abroad for a year, semester, or a summer. 

Key Characteristics

  • Independent
  • Regular classes at the university with locals
  • Pay ISEP program fee to cover tuition, housing, and meals
  • Transfer credit: you’ll request approval via PFW departments
  • Grades CR/NC (earn C or better) are not factored in GPA
  • Noncompetitive, guaranteed acceptance

Considerations

  • Shorter summer option
  • Access to entire university catalog
  • May need proficiency in host language
  • Housing may be off campus, shared apartment, or dorm
  • Different system of teaching and learning
  • Usually more expensive than exchange programs

All or some teaching takes place outside the country. 

Key Characteristics

  • Group programs (PFW students)
  • PFW faculty
  • PFW courses
  • PFW credit

Considerations

  • Frequently shorter duration(two to four weeks)
  • Highly structured with set itinerary 
  • Small group dynamic
  • May have limited contact with host-country nationals
  • Housing is often in hostels or hostels with the group
  • Preapproved PFW credit

With this program, you’ll study abroad for either a semester or a year.

Key Characteristics

  • Independent
  • Regular classes at the university with locals
  • Pay PFW tuition
  • Pay housing and meals at host university
  • Transfer credit: you’ll request approval via PFW departments
  • Grades CR/NC (earn C or better) are not factored in GPA
  • Competitive acceptance
  • Very few programs available

Considerations

  • Longer length (semester or year)
  • Access to entire university catalog
  • May need proficiency in host language
  • Housing may be off campus, shared apartment, or dorm
  • Different system of teaching/learning
  • Cost efficiency: pay PFW tuition

Earning Credit and Registration

Learn how it all works. 

Getting your credits to transfer to PFW and registering for classes at a host unviersity vary depending on which program you’re in. 

All study-abroad programs are credit bearing, but the way the credit is awarded and how it appears on your transcript differs according to the type of program you pursue.

Except for faculty-led programs, all credits from your study-abroad trip with a grade of C or above will return to PFW as transfer credit and will not be factored into your cumulative PFW GPA. 

Since many international universities do not use the same credit hour or grading system as we do, PFW uses grade conversion tables created in part with the World Education Services International Grade Conversion Guide for Higher Education and our academic units. If you have any questions or would like any clarification regarding credit or grading equivalents, please contact us at [email protected]

All credit will come back as elective credit unless all the necessary preapprovals from PFW departments have been obtained.

All host-university courses should be preapproved prior to departure. Preapproval is provided via completion and submission of a Study Abroad / NSE Transfer Course Approval Form. Please download the form, complete it, and submit it to the Study Abroad Program by following these steps:

  1. Review and select host university courses. Compare host-university courses with your course needs within myBLUEprint. Select more courses than you intend to take. This step will help guard against problems that could occur with possible course cancellations or schedule conflicts.
  2. Gather host-university course syllabi. You may use host-institution catalogs, provider websites, and Study Abroad Program staff.
  3. Meet with your academic advisor to list the host-university course numbers, names, and credits on this form. If this form is not sufficient to list all courses, use a second form. You may staple sheets together.
  4. Obtain approval for course equivalency. Be prepared to provide course descriptions/syllabi in English to the relevant department chair (or chair designee). Meet with the appropriate chairs to determine PFW equivalencies to meet major, minor, and general education curriculum requirements and electives.
  5. Meet with your primary academic advisor to review and provide final signature.
  6. Return the signed form to the study abroad office. To have these courses appear on your PFW record, you must submit the signed form to the Study Abroad Program by the deadline provided to you. Do not register at PFW. This will be done on your behalf.
  7. Once abroad, if you enroll in overseas courses not approved on this form, it is your responsibility to contact your advisor to approve any changes within five days from the start of classes on-site. You must provide a copy of any new approvals to the Study Abroad Program. Email approvals will suffice. Any courses appearing on the overseas transcript, for which you do not have prior written approval from your academic advisor, will remain as general elective or undistributed credit. You must maintain a full course load (equivalent of 12 PFW credits) during your program participation.

Failure to complete and submit the Study Abroad / NSE Transfer Course Approval Form will result in all host-university coursework being articulated as general education or undistributed credit. If you have any questions or concerns about preapproval, please contact us at [email protected]

Please note that the Study Abroad / NSE Transfer Course Approval Form is valid for only one semester. If you participate for two or more terms of study, you must complete a form for each semester. You are encouraged to work closely with your advisor and to have more courses approved than you intend to take at the host university. In case you opt to change registration once abroad, having additional course approvals will provide you with options.

The study abroad office must receive an original transcript from the program abroad. You are responsible for ensuring that an official transcript is sent to the Study Abroad Program and not to the Office of the Registrar or to your home address. Failure to have your transcript sent to our office will result in delays to credit transfer and possibly graduation.

Study Abroad
Kettler Hall, Room 140
Purdue University Fort Wayne
2101 East Coliseum Boulevard
Fort Wayne, Indiana 46805 USA

Students participating in faculty-led and internship programs will register for courses as usual. Your faculty leader will tell you which course you should enroll in.

If you’re participating in an exchange or provider study-abroad program, you’ll automatically be enrolled in a study-abroad placeholder course during your participation in the program.

The course and section number assigned will indicate the total number of credits you originally requested for the program.

The Study Abroad Program will register you into this course. You do not register for Purdue Fort Wayne courses for your study-abroad program. Take a look at the following information:

  • All courses will now come in as transfer credit.
  • The courses will not be included in transfer-credit institutional limitations.
  • You will receive credit for courses equivalent to a C or higher.
  • You will not receive credit for less than a C equivalent.
  • You will not receive grades on your Purdue Fort Wayne transcript for your study-abroad program.
  • Your study-abroad classes will not count toward your Purdue Fort Wayne grade point average.
  • If you fail coursework abroad and do not make satisfactory academic progress according to financial aid regulations, you may be required to repay financial aid. Please consult with the Office of Financial Aid to understand your obligations if you use financial aid.

Once we have registered you for study abroad, all other courses you might be registered for that term will be deleted. Thus, if you have been accepted for participation in a study-abroad program but you do not wish to participate, it is vital that you let us know immediately. If you do not, there is a good chance we will register you for study abroad and delete all your other courses for that term. Please remember, it is your responsibility to ensure that your status with us is clear. We cannot fix any problems that occur with your courses if you fail to alert us as soon as possible that you do not wish to participate in the program.

All credit earned overseas will articulate back to Purdue Fort Wayne as transfer credit. Only those courses earning the equivalent of a C grade or higher will come back as credit. Courses that receive a C− or lower will not be brought back here. This can have very serious consequences on your financial aid award, and you may be asked to return all or some of your award if you receive less than full-time credit.

You should contact your Purdue Fort Wayne department advisor to seek approval for any courses not previously approved. It is your responsibility to ensure that the Study Abroad Program receives any new course approvals and confirmation from the department advisor within one week of the start of classes at your study-abroad institution.

You should request that host-institution transcripts be sent to the Study Abroad Program at the end of your program.

When the Study Abroad Program receives your overseas transcript, we will work with the Office of the Registrar and Office of International Education to articulate the overseas coursework onto your Purdue Fort Wayne transcript.

Finances and Insurance

Know what to expect.

From billing to financial aid to insurance and federal student aid, find out everything you need to know regarding finances and studying abroad. 

Students should be aware that the application and predeparture process will require a certain amount of money in advance. Some expenses must be covered before loans, scholarships, and grants arrive. Common examples would be the application fees, passport application, plane tickets, immigration fees, and housing deposits. Application fees can be as high as $500. If your program requires a student visa, the consulate might require you to show proof of adequate bank funds to support your entire stay abroad. Keep this in mind when planning for your study-abroad experience. We encourage students to financially plan and look for financial support from many resources.

The program-payment process differs for different types of programs. You should consult with the Study Abroad Program to ensure that you are aware of how and where your program payments are made.

  • There are many different fee structures and billing arrangements among PFW’s 150+ study-abroad programs.
  • Each student has different financial aid eligibility and options.
  • Each student is responsible for learning whether the aid they have while on campus can be used for study abroad.
  • If you already receive financial aid for your education costs while studying at PFW, you’ll need to work with the Office of Financial Aid to determine the costs that you must pay for your program and which aid opportunities are open to you.
  • Students not receiving aid currently may be able to get loans from the Office of Financial Aid for their overseas program. Filing the FAFSA is required for this.
  • Budgets for your program are available from the Study Abroad Program. Please ensure that you have the most recent program budget to bring with you to any meeting with the Office of Financial Aid. These budgets list the education costs of the program and the additional estimated costs that you pay out of pocket. These additional costs vary from program to program.
  • The Study Abroad Program is not the expert on financial aid. Staff will refer you to the Office of Financial Aid for definitive information about how your aid will cover your overseas study costs.
  • It is not wise to accept information about financial aid from friends or previous program participants.

Students participating in Purdue-approved programs are generally eligible for aid through the Office of Financial Aid; many students utilize federal financial aid to pay for their programs. Federal aid can apply for PFW study abroad when students have registered for at least the minimum number of credits. 

Federal financial aid might not apply to non-PFW-sponsored programs. Please contact the Office of Financial Aid with questions about aid for non-PFW programs.

If you are the recipient of a PFW scholarship, such as the 21st Century, Presidential, or Chapman, the aid can usually apply to your PFW approved program. Always check with the Office of Financial Aid to confirm the dollar amount. The program you select and the number of credit hours you take may affect the value of your award. For example, if you have a full ride at PFW, do not assume that all your costs are covered at a host university.

Students are also eligible to apply for any number of competitive international scholarships and fellowships. Generally, a GPA of 3.7+ is recommended. Learn more about some of the major scholarships and fellowships that are available and when to begin the application process for them by contacting the Office of Major Scholarship Advising.

Finally, always check with your academic department and college for any scholarship opportunities they may have available, and be certain to visit ScholarshipUniverse in go PFW to see current opportunities.

Students participating in a study-abroad program will be enrolled in a mandatory Gallagher health insurance plan facilitated by Purdue University. Under this plan, students will automatically be covered for health, accident, emergency evacuation, and repatriation. Insurance coverage is mandatory, even if students are covered by another policy (on-site provider, host country, or university).

Purdue International Travel Plan

How to Use Insurance Abroad

  • Emergency: In a medical emergency, call the Travel Assistance Program at 866-693-6873 and be prepared to offer the policy number and answers to questions listed on your ID card.  
  • Payment: Students should be prepared to make payments for services and submit a reimbursement request upon return. You should plan to travel with a credit card for this purpose, in case it is necessary. In limited situations, the insurance provider may be able to work with the hospital to make direct payments for major medical expenses.
  • Receipts and Claims: Keep all receipts for medical expenses. Students may need to submit itemized bills and receipts translated into English to the claims company. 
  • On-site Support: Be sure to contact your on-site support staff if you need assistance. If you are unable to reach the on-site contact and need further assistance, please contact the Study Abroad Program at 260-481-0322. After hours, call University Police at 260-481-6827, where an operator will be able to contact a study abroad representative to assist you.

Coverage Before and After Program

It is recommended that students who plan to travel before or after their study-abroad program have insurance coverage for the additional personal travel, which must be purchased separately. Students may choose any travel insurance provider to secure this additional coverage, although quotes are available through the Gallagher site. 

Leisure Travel Insurance

Cancel for Any Reason

The insurance coverage described above does not include Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) insurance. While the Study Abroad Program always remains optimistic that programs will run, many things could change between now and program start dates, including local conditions and entry requirements. While not a requirement, CFAR policies can add extra insurance to protect your investment. While the university will do everything possible to mitigate the financial risk for students, refunds cannot be guaranteed for such things as accommodations, ground packages, flight cancellations, or other nonrefundable costs.

Students who wish to supplement the international insurance coverage (outlined above) may utilize any insurance provider that they choose. Please note, coverage is optional. Students are not required to purchase CFAR coverage or utilize any specific provider.

Ways to Purchase Cancel for Any Reason Coverage

  • Through a provider organization that your program may be working with directly.
  • Through any insurance provider that you choose. A simple Google search will provide many options to consider.
  • Be sure to carefully consider the details of any plan before purchasing. 
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Search options and apply.

Discover the various study-abroad destinations available through our university or get started with your application.

Study Abroad Portal