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student abroad

Study Abroad

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Studying abroad is a unique experience that can include community development projects, research, internships, service-learning and study tours. Regardless of your choice, study abroad offers so many academic benefits, including:

  • Special academic opportunities: take courses not offered at SFA!
  • Foreign language competency: living and studying in another language is one of the best ways to increase language fluency, a skill that is increasingly valued among all professions.
  • Invest in your career:  studying abroad increases your adaptability, resourcefulness, cross-cultural understanding and many other skills employers value in an increasingly global workplace.
  • Leave your comfort zone behind: uncommon experiences make you reconsider (or strengthen) your values and get a better sense of who you are and what’s important.

The opportunities are endless. Overwhelmed with the options? You're not alone — your study abroad coordinator, Inés Maxit, is here to help. Contact her at maxitie@sfasu.edu or stop by from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. Monday through Friday for walk-in advising.

Questions to consider

With endless opportunities at your fingertips, it's important to factor in your personal goals, current situation, and hopes for studying abroad. Consider your answers to the questions below as you review available programs.

Academics

  • Do you want to:
    • study specific topics or take specific classes abroad?
    • gain fluency in another language?
    • perform field research?
    • or learn more about a specific region of the world?
  • Does your SFA study plan require you to be at SFA during a certain term?
  • Will the credit type (direct vs. transfer) impact your graduation?
  • Do you need to fulfill any specific requirements for your major or minor?
    • Can you fulfill these abroad?
  • Do you have the flexibility to take electives and, if so, how many?

View our eligibility and course credit FAQ to help you filter some of the program options available.

Environment

  • Do you prefer a big or small city, or perhaps something off the beaten path?
  • What hobbies or activities would you pursue overseas?
  • Do you prefer a traditional study abroad location or something more exotic?
  • What about the location's annual climate?

Finances

  • Do you currently receive financial aid?
  • Do you receive military benefits?

The most affordable program type is our direct exchange with partner universities. Through this program, you pay your regular SFA tuition and fees, thus creating a "spot" for the student with whom you swap universities, and they do that same!

A faculty-led program is the only program type that aligns with semester credit hours and results in a course grade and affects your GPA. In addition to the tuition for the academic course, the cost to study abroad with a faculty-led program is generally between $3,000 to $5,000. Scholarships are available, so do your research and explore your options.

Read the specific costs for your programs of interest. Be aware of currency exchange rates, and use a converter when budgeting.

Visit our Cost and Aid page to learn more.

Personal

  • Why do you want to go abroad?
  • What do you personally want to gain from studying abroad?
    • Do you want to explore your own identity (e.g., your cultural heritage)?
    • Do you want to increase your self-confidence and self-advocacy skills?
  • What level of support do you want while abroad?
  • Are finances a concern?
  • Are you ready for a full semester abroad, or would you prefer a short program?
  • When do you want to go abroad?

Professional

  • What professional skills do you want to gain while abroad?
  • Do you want to participate in internships or service learning?
  • Do you want to build your network?