Education Abroad FAQs

There are three main types of programs to fit different interests and schedules! 

• Faculty-directed programs are led by MSU professors and run primarily during summer (like our programs in Belgium and Italy).
• Semester programs include exchanges and direct enrollment at international universities for fall or spring terms.
• There are also international internship programs ranging from 6-10 weeks in cities like Tokyo, Dublin, Barcelona and Cape Town.

Absolutely! Many of our programs are specifically designed to help you complete your Field Experience requirement while gaining international experience. International internship programs automatically count toward this requirement, and several other programs can be structured to meet it as well. Schedule a meeting with JMC’s Field Experience Coordinator Lauren Michalak to discuss your options.

The college sponsors several Madison-specific programs that offer JMC courses and content directly complementary to our curriculum. These include our summer programs in Brussels (International Relations) and Rome and Florence (Comparative Republicanism), among others. You can also participate in any of MSU’s 200+ other study abroad programs.

It depends on the program type. Faculty-directed programs typically offer JMC courses that count directly toward your major requirements. For exchange and direct enrollment programs, you’ll need to get courses pre-approved to ensure they transfer properly and fit your degree plan.

For faculty-directed programs, you’ll receive regular numerical grades (0.0-4.0) that appear on your MSU transcript just like on-campus courses. For exchange and direct enrollment programs, grades typically appear as graded credit or transfer credit, depending on the specific courses you take.

Academic approaches vary by country and institution. Faculty-directed programs maintain familiar MSU-style instruction, while direct enrollment programs immerse you in local academic culture. We provide guidance on adapting to different systems.

Costs vary significantly by program and destination. Some programs cost about the same as a semester at MSU, while others may be more or less expensive. We recommend using MSU Education Abroad’s Cost Worksheet to compare your current MSU expenses with program budgets to get a realistic picture of additional costs.

Financial aid and most scholarships are applicable to study abroad programs. You’ll receive the same aid you’d typically get for an MSU semester, which can significantly reduce your out-of-pocket expenses. Just factor in that most programs don’t allow students to work due to visa restrictions.

Program budgets typically include three main components: program fees (tuition, housing, some meals, international insurance), personal expenses (additional food, entertainment, shopping) and travel costs (flights, local transportation). Each program provides detailed budget breakdowns to help you plan.

The earlier, the better! For semester programs, start planning at least one year in advance. Summer programs typically have deadlines in early spring. This gives you time to research programs, prepare applications, arrange course approvals and plan financially.

Not necessarily! Many programs are taught in English, while others have language requirements. For example, the Buenos Aires internship program requires Spanish proficiency equivalent to SPN 310.

You’ll have support both from MSU and local program coordinators. Faculty-directed programs include MSU professors who guide you throughout the experience. Exchange and direct enrollment programs have local coordinators and MSU staff available for assistance. Plus, you’ll be part of a community of other MSU students having similar experiences.