Plan a visit to WMU’s Haenicke Institute for Global Education to peruse the study abroad resource library that includes information for all programs offered through the University.  You’ll have access to program brochures, student program evaluations, and the Internet for conducting online searches.  Once you have selected the programs (up to three) you are interested in applying to, complete the online application for your first choice and set up a meeting with a study abroad coordinator.We also suggest that students should attend an info session.

 

 

The Study Abroad office is located on the 2nd floor of Ellsworth Hall, which is the building directly east of the Bronco Mall (Bernhard Center). The office is open from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday.

 

 

There are opportunities for English-speaking students to study all over the world, including the United Kingdom, Australia, Russia, Asia, South Africa, Norway, Sweden and Egypt, to name just a few locations.

A study abroad experience can also enhance your learning of a foreign language through language courses and cultural immersion.  WMU offers study abroad opportunities to learn Arabic, Chinese, French, German, Italian, Japanese, Russian, and Spanish. Mastering a second or third language can set you apart from the masses in the job market!

 

 

Accommodation choices vary program to program and can include dormitories, apartments, or living with a host family.

 

 

Generally speaking, study abroad programs range from one month to one year in duration. Some students who go abroad for a semester or an academic year decide to extend their stays. Some students also elect to participate in more than one study abroad program while pursuing a WMU degree.

 

 

Absolutely! Some students plan extra time at the beginning or end of their study abroad program to travel regionally.  Universities abroad, just like WMU, also have breaks during which you can travel, and many programs are located near excellent
public transportation systems.  Weekend excursions are built in to some programs. We encourage study abroad students to explore as much of the country and/or region as possible.

 

 

• WMU programs are typically hosted by WMU faculty representing various disciplines.  Offerings include semester-long programs, academic-year programs (two or more semesters), and short-term programs, and there is a program applicable to almost every major offered at WMU.  Apply online. Program costs are billed to a student’s WMU account and are paid directly to WMU.
• Non-WMU study abroad programs offered through Haenicke Institute Study Abroad are nationally or internationally accredited.  Application is initially made with the host university or program provider, which requires a signature from a WMU study abroad coordinator. Upon acceptance, applicants complete a Non-WMU Program Application Packet.  The host institution or program provider bills fees for Non-WMU programs directly to the student. 

Note:  All WMU students planning to study abroad must apply for programs through Haenicke Institute Study Abroad to ensure all credits earned are transferable to WMU.

 

 

WMU exchange programs are formalized agreements with overseas universities in which the institutions trade students for a specified duration.  Participants pay their home university tuition for credits earned abroad.

 

 

Most study abroad programs require an applicant’s completion of what is known on campus as the "blue sheet" or "course pre-approval form" to ensure all credits earned abroad will transfer to WMU.  

The blue sheet is incorporated into the online application for WMU programs and is completed via a paper document included in the application packet for non-WMU programs that students receive during their initial meeting with a study abroad coordinator (meeting occurs after student receives letter of acceptance from host institution).
 
The blue sheet includes the following information: the list of classes you are planning to take abroad; the WMU equivalent for those classes; the type of credit received (graded or credit/no credit); indication of how the credits apply to your major, minor, elective, or general education requirements; and the signature of the academic advisor/s from the department or college approving the course transfer.  Some short-term WMU programs with set equivalencies do not require completion of the blue sheet.

When meeting with your academic advisors to complete the blue sheet (WMU & non-WMU programs) be sure to bring course descriptions for the classes you wish to enroll in while abroad. We highly recommend that students obtain pre-approval for more courses than they are planning to take abroad, ensuring that they can enroll in alternate courses in the event first-choice classes are not offered or are full upon arrival.

Any courses taken abroad that are not pre-approved prior to your departure will transfer back as elective credit to WMU. Elective credit is any courses taken abroad that are not pre-approved by the appropriate advisor will be processed as elective credit only, i.e. they will not apply towards your major, minor, or general education requirements. Students are required to maintain full-time enrollment during the period of study abroad (12 credits per semester, 3 credits per summer term).

 

 

In general, applicants are advised of acceptance within one month of the program application deadline.

 

 

The cost to study abroad varies greatly depending on location and length of stay. WMU offers many programs that cost near the same amount as studying on campus for a semester. Each program profile includes a detailed budget.

In most cases, any financial aid, grants, or scholarships you are already receiving can be applied to study abroad costs.  Additionally, there are several WMU department-based scholarships available and some scholarships that are facilitated by the Haenicke Institute to help offset the costs of studying abroad. Scholarship information is available in the Study Abroad office or online at: Click here

 

 

Program application and scholarship application deadlines are determined by the time of year you plan to be abroad:

• For programs offered spring semester: October 15
• Fall or summer semester programs:     February 15

March 15 is the deadline to apply for the President's Grant for Study Abroad for academic year, fall, and summer programs.

*NOTE: Do not wait until the last week before the deadline to apply. The application can take several days to complete. We recommend that application materials be completed and returned to a study abroad coordinator, by appointment, well before the deadline.

 

 

HIGE staff will complete your WMU registration for the semester/s you plan to study abroad.  Any holds on your student account must be resolved before HIGE staff can complete study abroad registration.

 

 

In most cases, NO.  The program fee covers the cost for the academic credit you will receive from WMU. 

 

 

Grade authorization can take up to three months after completion of a study abroad program. Study abroad students are required to provide the HIGE with an official transcript from the host institution upon their return to WMU.  The HIGE is unable to process grade authorizations without the official transcript of the host institution.  Study abroad students are encouraged to handle this transaction in a timely manner to avoid delays in having academic credits posted which may be prerequisites for upper-level classes at WMU, or to avoid delays with graduation audits.

 

 

Passports are required for international travel.  Processing can take up to 12 weeks, though expedited service is available at an extra charge. Passports are required for all international travel, including Canada, Mexico and the Caribbean.  Passport renewal reminder: Some countries require a passport to be valid for a set number of months beyond the planned travel time.  
Passport application/renewal information is available online at: Click here

 

 

A VISA is a validation on your passport signifying that you have been approved to enter a particular country. The VISA process can take two to six weeks to complete. VISA requirements vary widely by country. Information about VISA requirements is accessible online at: Click here

 

 

All WMU students attending a study abroad program will be covered by travel health insurance included in the program fee.  Health insurance fee is included in program fee only for WMU programs. For Non-WMU programs, health insurance is required but it is billed separately.

 

 

In most cases, pharmacies abroad will not refill prescriptions written by out-of-country physicians.  Students should speak with their physicians well before traveling to arrange for sufficient medications to cover the duration of their program abroad.

 

 

Of course! Internships are a great way to gain professional experience and to enhance your study abroad experience.  Contact our office to learn which programs offer internships by calling 269-387-5890.

 

MET will pay for a study abroad program that is invoiced through a Michigan public university based on the undergraduate tuition rate at that university for the number of credit hours enrolled. Any fees specific to the study abroad that are not charged to all WMU students regardless of curriculum will not be covered. The same policy applies for the Kalamazoo Promise. MET and Promise recipients should look into additional scholarship funding if their study abroad program costs exceed the cost of studying on campus. On-line program profiles for study abroad programs administered by WMU contain total cost estimates that serve as the financial aid budget. See program profiles at www.wmich.edu/studyabroad. MET or Kalamazoo Promise funding can be applied only to study abroad programs approved by the Haenicke Institute. MET and Kalamazoo Promise funding questions should be directed to Financial Aid or Accounts Receivable. Haenicke Institute staff do not have authority to make any funding determinations for MET or the Kalamazoo Promise.

 

Contact the HIGE at (269)-387-5890, or by e-mail: study-abroad@wmich.edu.