What is study abroad?
Study abroad is a learning experience that takes place in another
country where you earn credits towards your ISU degree for academic
coursework completed successfully. Study abroad can also include
internships, field work as well as different types of experiential
learning offered as part of the program.
Study abroad is a serious undertaking. It is both challenging and
rewarding at the same time. Living in another country enables you
to experience first-hand what you may only read about in your textbooks.
You will travel, meet new people, and see places you may have only
dreamed about. When you study abroad you are learning both in as
well as outside the classroom.
Why Study Abroad
The top 5 reasons by ISU students
1. To learn about myself and become more independent
2. To learn about a new culture and have a completely new experience
3. To learn a new language
4. To have fun meeting new people through traveling
5. To build my resume and prepare myself for my career
WhEN SHOULD I Study Abroad
As an ISU student you can study abroad after completing at least 24
credit hours, i.e. two semesters of study. The decision is really
up to you. Much depends on your readiness both financially and
emotionally as well as how you want the credits earned to apply (major,
minor, general education?)
Many ISU students choose to study abroad as early as the summer
following their freshman year.
First or second semester of your sophomore year is also a great time to
study abroad. You can combine coursework in general education
along with some introductory courses in your major or minor.
Advisors are available to assist in making sure you have met the
prerequisites for courses and also ensure that classes you plan on
taking abroad will transfer to your degree.
CONSIDER THIS: NOT studying abroad is an opportunity missed to
get a global education. Later on in life most people find it
difficult to get away for a longer period of time. The college
years offer the best time to go abroad. KEEP IN MIND THAT AID AND
SCHOLARSHIPS YOU RECEIVE TO STUDY AT ISU CAN BE USED TO
STUDY ABROAD. ALSO there are scholarships you can apply for just
to study abroad!!!
Who We Are
Janis Halpern
Director for Academic Programs Abroad
Janis Halpern has brought the Academic Programs Abroad Office at Indiana State University from its beginning stages in the early 1990s to where is today--sending over 100 students abroad who chose from over 100 sites in more than 30 countries.
Janis holds both Bachelor's and Master's degrees from Boston University in Spanish Language and Literature. She has studied abroad herself in Spain, Israel, and Mexico.
Janis is a member of the National Organization of International Educators (NAFSA). She has been actively engaged in the Consortia to which Indiana State University belongs, having served as Chair of the Midwest Consortia for Study Abroad (MCSA), and Chair of the Council of Advisors for the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP) from 2004-2006.
In order to provide both students and parents with first-hand
information about Indiana State University programs abroad, Janis is
in contact with on-site directors, and has visited students
abroad to evaluate the most popular study abroad sites in England,
Italy, Spain, Mexico, Austria, Sweden, the Netherlands, Morocco,
Japan, Germany, Greece, Costa Rica, Argentina, China, Ireland,
Uruguay, and the Czech Republic
Monica Block
Student Assistant- Academic
Programs Abroad
Monica
Block is a senior majoring in Language Studies
Teaching concentrating in Spanish. She has two
minors in Teaching English as a Second Language and
International Studies. She is involved with Sigma
Alpha Lambda and the National Honors Society of
Collegiate Scholars on campus. Monica spent Spring
Break 2011 in Guatemala and Summer 2011 in Almería,
Spain. Both places she studied Spanish and Spanish
Culture. Winter 2012 Monica traveled back to Costa
Rica for philanthropy.
Serena Simeoli
Student Assistant- Academic
Programs Abroad
Serena is a senior
Marketing and Marketing Operations major at
Indiana State University. She experienced
studying abroad at Stellenbosch University
in the Western Cape of South Africa in
Spring 2012. In addition to her studies, she
has been a member of the USMCR since 2007
and deployed to both Iraq and Afghanistan in
2009-2010. She was a four year member of the
ISU cross country team and has been involved
with SGA, the Statesman, and is currently
one of ISU's representatives for the
Institute for Community Sustainability.
Serena interned with DRAFTfcb summer 2012
and plans to commission as a 2nd Lt. in the
USMC upon graduation.
Nick Penington
Student Assistant- Academic
Programs Abroad
Nick is a Junior Social Work major at Indiana State
University. Nick studied abroad at Edge Hill
University in Spring 2012. After returning
to Indiana State, he has since taken over
the leadership role of the Student Study
Abroad Organization as well as spear-headed
a philanthropy project in Costa Rica winter
2012.
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