Pre-Departure Meetings April 30th and May 1st!

See Events Page for Specific Details

 

"Funding  your study abroad-" See what $1 gets in:

 

Europe-The Euro or currency of the European Union is used by the following countries:  Andorra, Austria, Belgium, Cyprus, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Kosovo, Luxembourg, and Malta. This is the strongest currency in the world at present. To Americans this means that travel to these countries will be more expensive and we will get less for our US $1. Just how much will we lose? For one American dollar, we should receive around the worth of 77 cents. For 1€, a person could buy a bread roll in Vienna. Five American dollars wouldn’t be quite enough to buy a Big Mac in the Eurozone (where its price is 50% higher than in the United States).

China-$1 US is equivalent to a bit over six Chinese Yuan. To put that amount into perspective, it may take around 15-20 CNY ($2-3) to purchase a bowl of noodles.  A hair cut at a barber shop costs about 25 CNY ($4) and public transportation via bus to major cities costs around 2 CNY (around 40 cents). 

Costa Rica-Everything is charged in the thousands of Colones. $1 is almost 500 Colones. To put that into perspective, your typical Coke costs around 550 Colones. One interesting thing about this country is the fact that many of the prices are negotiable and living there, you will likely pay less than the typical tourist.

Japan-For $1 US dollar you will receive close to 92 Japanese Yen. To put that into perspective, canned coffee and drinks out of a vending machine will be around JPY120. A burger from McDonald’s is around JPY 80-100 Yen.

South Africa-For $1 US you will receive close to nine South African Rand (R9). For 10 rand noted at 10ZAR or (R10) you can likely get a beer in a restaurant or two beers in a supermarket. 500ml Coke or bottled water is around R4 in a supermarket. Fast food meals are around R18-R20 (less than $2US dollars.)

South Korean- For US$1 we can receive 1086 South Korean Won. To put this number into perspective, a person could buy items very similar to those they could purchase in the States. A soda, candy bar, or chips are typical items. Short transportation by bus or subway costs around 1000 KRW.

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.