About SUNY Study Abroad Programs

OVERSEAS PROGRAMS ARE AS
NEAR AS A SUNY CAMPUS

Overseas programs are as close to you as a State University of New York (SUNY) campus or web site. The following are some frequently asked questions about study abroad with SUNY. Please take a look before you begin to explore the many study abroad opportunities we offer. If you have any questions, feel free to contact one of the SUNY campuses for additional assistance.

Why Study Abroad?

Study abroad can be one of the most rewarding and exciting experiences in a college student's career. Getting to know another culture, living in a new environment, learning a new language, meeting people: all these add up to a kind of education different from what can be acquired on campus. Equally important for American students is the discovery of their own country-its customs, its traditions and values-as they come to see it from a foreign vantage point. No wonder that so many returnees from overseas study say that the experience changed their lives.

There is indeed ample testimony to the fact that students learn well and mature quickly when studying in a different culture. And as all regions of the world become more interdependent, it is increasingly apparent that the truly educated person is one who has had first hand acquaintance with other cultures, both as preparation for responsible citizenship and, in a more practical way, as a basis for a career. In the words of former Senator J. William Fulbright, author of the Fulbright exchange program, "perhaps the greatest power of educational exchange is the power to convert nations into peoples and to translate ideologies into human aspirations."

Where are the State University of New York's study abroad programs offered?

SUNY currently offers more than 400 overseas study programs in more than 50 countries: in North and South America, Africa, Asia, Western and Eastern Europe, Australia and New Zealand. Programs range from 2-3 week intensive courses to a semester or academic year abroad. Courses are available in more than 100 subjects, ranging alphabetically from aboriginal studies and aerospace engineering to western philosophy and women's studies. While many programs focus on language learning and are conducted in the language of the host country, many others are conducted wholly or partly in English.

Who can study abroad

State University overseas study programs are, with some exceptions, open to all SUNY and non-SUNY students, with eligibility ranging from first year to graduate level. For many undergraduates, the best time to study abroad has traditionally been during the junior year; however, well-prepared sophomores, and occasionally freshmen, are eligible for some programs. For everyone, careful preparation and consultation with the campus Director of International Education are essential for determining where and when to go.

What does it cost?

Total expenses are competitive with other highly-rated study abroad programs in public and private universities across the country. Program costs are usually only slightly higher than on-campus costs of tuition, room and board (exclusive of international air fare)-and in some countries expenses are actually less than they would be on campus. Study abroad students pay SUNY tuition (in-state or out-of-state, depending upon New York State residency) plus costs, which vary from program to program. Matriculated students at a State University of New York campus register on their home campus for programs offered at any other campus. They are thus able to maintain residency and eligibility for financial aid. (NOTE: Upper-division students registering at community colleges for overseas programs should consult with their registrar's office about appropriate credit.)

What about financial aid?

Most financial aid can be applied to overseas study, with the exception of some program costs and fees. For specific information students should consult the campus financial aid officer and the Director of International Education.

Current enrolled SUNY students can now Download a copy of the SUNY Application in PDF Format.

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