Services The College of Arts and Sciences Study Abroad Office Provides
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Guidance for students as they go through study abroad options (there are hundreds)
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Assistance and support with transfer credit pre-approval processes to help students get appropriate credits abroad
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Peer mentorship through our Global Ambassadors
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Walk-in advising, appointments (virtual or in-person), and email advising for any questions or issues students encounter in their study abroad journey (before, during, or after)
Benefits of Study Abroad
According to a large-scale study, employers rank the appearance of international experience on a newly graduated student’s resume as the second most important value (behind their major and ahead of their GPA).
Other studies have shown that students who do study abroad programs enjoy the below benefits:
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Increased GPAs after their study abroad program
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Improved graduation rates
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Increased likelihood of pursuing advanced degrees/professional school
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Stronger professional networks
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Increased skills in problem solving and critical thinking
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Stronger communication and language abilities
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Increased resilience and self-reliance
Costs of Study Abroad
Our students’ number one question when deciding whether to go abroad is how the cost will impact them. The range is wide and depends on a variety of factors, such as the program location, the length of the program, the type of program, the number of credits taken on the program, the excursions included, etc.
While costs from programs vary, A&M invests over $1.5 million annually into Study Abroad Scholarships. The College of Arts & Sciences works hard to offer programs that meet minimum credit requirements to make financial aid and grant application still possible. More information on funding an experience abroad can be found on Education Abroad’s Funding Page.
It’s important to our college that students are adequately equipped with the information necessary to make financially responsible decisions related to their study abroad programs.
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Most programs offered by A&M will have an estimated cost sheet attached to their brochure in the Via Program Portal. We encourage students and their support network to make a joint effort to go to the program they are interested in and click on the tab for “Costs.” Sometimes in order to access this tab, you must use the Via portal/website on a desktop or laptop computer (not a tablet/mobile device).
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Students must often financially commit to a program prior to knowing what scholarships or financial aid they may receive. Our office does not have control over this process, so we encourage students to make the decision to study abroad independently of whether or not they will receive scholarships or financial aid to assist them on the program.
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If a student commits to a program and then later decides to withdraw, they may still be held financially accountable for the cost of the program, even if they don’t participate. This is dependent on the program, so review the policies carefully and contact the university-wide Education Abroad office with any questions related to withdrawal and refund policies.
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Some degrees require a student to study abroad in order to graduate. It’s important for those students to begin their exploration of programs as early as possible in their degree so they can understand estimated costs and begin to academically and financially plan for it.
Health and Safety Abroad
All students participating in an Education Abroad program are required to attend a health and safety orientation prior to their experience.
The College of Arts and Sciences Study Abroad Office and Education Abroad must abide by federal privacy laws including the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) and the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPPA). Applicable information about health and safety issues will only be released to those listed as the student’s emergency contact.
Communication is key! Open a conversation with your student about establishing a communication plan prior to them heading abroad so that you can set realistic expectations on both sides as to how this may differ from when they’re at Texas A&M. Our team has provided a resource for getting the conversation going here in our Communication Plan.
Supporting Students Through Culture Shock or Homesickness
While abroad, students may experience culture shock and should be aware of the indicators. These can include: feelings of helplessness, loneliness, alienation, sleeping more than usual, depression, getting angry easily, decline in flexibility, stereotyping of host culture, increase of physical ailments, eating problems, inability to concentrate, and uncontrollable crying. Most students experience some level of culture shock or homesickness and signs can vary greatly from individual to individual. If your student is studying abroad and experiencing any of the feelings listed above, let them know that they are not alone! Please advise them to immediately reach out to their on-site support staff or to the Education Abroad office for help.
Students also continue to have access to all of Texas A&M’s mental health resources while abroad. Before they leave have them download the TELUS Health Student Support App. This app provides support to students 24/7 by phone or chat in multiple languages.
Emergencies Abroad
In the event of an emergency, the Education Abroad office should be notified as soon as possible to be fully informed about the situation. They have a 24/7 emergency phone - (979) 255-6103 - that all students are advised to save to their phone before they depart the United States. You may also email abroademergency@tamu.edu for less time sensitive support or to report an incident that does not require immediate attention.