Choosing a Program
Washington State University offers over 1200 education abroad programs in 70 countries around the world.
When it comes time to decide which education abroad experience you want to participate in, the options can be a bit daunting. However, since your time abroad has the potential to be a life-changing experience, it deserves a great deal of thought.
Washington State strongly encourages students to participate in an education abroad program that complements and strengthens their program of study. Furthermore, integrating an education abroad program into your WSU degree helps to ensure that you graduate on time!
Programs by Academic Major or Minor
A wide variety of programs are available to you. You can study in your major or minor, pick up a second language, study the history and culture of a region and, in some cases, complete research on a special topic or participate in an academic internship or service-learning experience.The guides below feature a sampling of program offerings in each academic area. For a complete listing of programs by academic area use the MyStudyAbroad Advanced Search feature to locate additional options.
Set Goals and Plan for Results
The process of selecting an education abroad program is similar to selecting your major or minor. Begin planning to study abroad as soon as possible; it is never too early to start! Here's how:- Share with your academic advisor that you are thinking of studying abroad. Enlist his or her help in determining the best time to fit study abroad into your degree plan.
- Give yourself time to research options: talk with your professors, advisors in the Education Abroad Office and with students who have studied abroad.
- Set some goals: many education abroad programs are good; the best one for you depends on what you want!
- Prioritize your goals: consider long-term academic and professional goals as well as on-campus degree requirements.
- Prepare academically: you may need to take language or other prerequisites for your chosen program.
- Get all the courses you plan to take abroad pre-approved before you go.
Factors to Consider
There are many factors to take into consideration-type of program, location, and coursework to name just a few. In order to help with the process, the Education Abroad Office has compiled a list of questions for you to consider when reviewing the program options.
- Is there a geographical location that I am interested in?
- What do I really want to get out of this experience? (i.e. language skills, international perspective on my field of study, cross-cultural experience, adventure, new perspective on potential career, resume builder
- What language skills do I have? What is the language of instruction? (Remember, you do not always have to know the host country language to study abroad there.)
- Do I prefer a large city or small town?
- Do I prefer a large university or small university?
- Do I want or need to take classes for my major, minor, GERs, honors, or electives?
- When do I graduate? (If you plan to study abroad close to your planned graduation date, please consult one of the Education Abroad Advisors.)
- Do I want to study with a group of Americans, or would I prefer a more independent experience?
- Do I want to live with a host family, in an apartment or house with other Americans/international students, or in a university residence system?
- Am I interested in summer, semester, or year long programs?
- Do I want to travel on planned excursions or primarily on my own?
- Do I plan to do additional travel before or after my program?
- What is my budget?
- What are my interests, hobbies, and passions?