Category: Auburn Abroad

There are many ways to study abroad as an Auburn student. One popular way is to participate in an Auburn program. Auburn programs are led by AU faculty and often offer AU academic credit. This summer over 900 Auburn students studied abroad! Two students shared their experiences below.

Scout Huff-Streiter, Business Minor in Milan, Italy and Madrid, Spain (Harbert College of Business)

This past summer, I had the exciting opportunity to participate in Auburn’s Complete Business Minor Abroad Program. During the summer, I was able to travel to Milan, Italy and Madrid, Spain while taking courses to complete an entire minor in one summer. As a senior at Auburn, I have so much advice to give incoming students, as well as underclassmen. However, if I could give only one piece of advice, it would be to do everything you can do to be able to study abroad.  

Studying abroad was something that always really interested me; however, it wasn’t until I was approaching my senior year that it really hit me that time was running out. Studying abroad this past summer has been one of my favorite memories from college, and that would have never happened if I hadn’t taken the leap of faith and applied to my program. To anyone considering studying abroad, go for it, even if you don’t know anyone in your program. When I committed to my program, I had no idea who I would meet or how it would go. However, after my summer abroad, I can confidently say that it was one of the highlights of my college experience. As I complete my senior year at Auburn and prepare for life after graduation, I know that I will hold the memories I made and the lessons I learned this summer for a long time.  

Taylor Strohmeier, London Fashion Industry Tour in the United Kingdom (College of Human Sciences)

I went on the London Fashion Tour over spring break 2023. I was a little nervous at first because I only knew one girl going on the trip, but walked away with so many new formed friendships that have continued to grow and flourish post-trip as we have classes together and hang out still to this day!

We had a lot of free time in the afternoon after all our set activities and tours for the day, so we covered so much of the city and left with no regrets. Some of my favorite memories include: The London Eye and getting matching “London” earmuffs, a behind the scenes tour of the Alexander McQueen archive, seeing Mamma Mia on their version of Broadway, going to Canary Wharf for dinner at the “Sipping Room”, tube rides (especially Paddington station) while playing fun games, and shopping in Notting Hill. I could go on and on about this program because it truly was the best experience ever. I fell in love with the city of London and all it has to offer regarding fashion and my major. I would recommend this program to anyone time and time again!

For more information about studying abroad, visit the Auburn Abroad website!

If you are interested in learning more about studying abroad at Auburn from the student perspective, please head over to the Auburn Abroad blog, Global Tiger Tales. Here you will learn more about specific programs as students detail their own international experiences.

Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity.  Between Auburn programs and third-party provider programs, the options for places you can go and what you can study are almost limitless!  BUT before you can go, there are things to consider and several steps that must be taken to ensure you are well-prepared academically, financially, and personally.

Step 1: Eligibility and Program Requirements

While looking for a program to participate in, you should look at what credits are being offered, what term you would be going abroad, the location of the abroad program, the length of the program, and the pricing. All of this will be located on the Brochure page of the program you are interested in! On the Brochure page, you will be able to see any prerequisites that may be needed for the course you will be taking while on the program, GPA requirements for both undergraduate and graduate students, and specify any other requirements that may be needed. Auburn University requires that all students studying abroad meet a minimum of 2.25 collegiate GPA for undergraduates and a 3.0 for graduate and professional students.  Additionally, study abroad participants are required to have no pending Student Conduct or Title XI actions.

Step 2: Complete an Application or Registration

Once you have found a program that you are interested in participating in, you will begin an application with the Auburn Abroad office.  If you are applying to an Auburn program, you will complete the application for the specific program you are interested in. If you have found a third-party provider program, you will complete a Non-Auburn Program Registration. There will be several pre-decision materials that you will be required to complete in order to submit your application, and you will want to read through these items carefully. One of the most important parts of the application will be completing the Course Approval Form or the Transfer Credit Form. These forms will ensure that you can earn credit for the courses that you take while abroad.

Step 3: Campus Partners

Don’t let the price of your program be a deterrent. There are multiple options available for you to potentially help pay for the program. If it is an Auburn program, you can often use Auburn scholarships or financial aid you may already be receiving. You will need to get in contact with Student Financial Services as well as the Office of University Scholarships to discuss the possibility of applying your aid to your program. There are also other scholarships available through Auburn University to study abroad on Auburn Programs. You can locate these by visiting the Auburn Abroad website and browsing the Finances page.  For both Auburn and Non-Auburn programs, there are numerous external scholarships available too. If you are a Pell Grant recipient, one great option is the Gilman Scholarship. Make sure you look at the deadlines for all scholarships you are planning to apply for so that you do not miss the opportunity!

Step 4: Wait for Acceptance and Commit to your Program

Once you have submitted your application or registration with Auburn Abroad, you are in the pending phase. Once reviewed, your application with either be approved or denied.  You will be notified via email of your application status and, if approved, what the next steps will be. For those approved, you will need to log back into your application portal and either “commit” or “decline” your spot.  Please be aware that at Auburn University once you click the commit button you are 100% financially responsible for the program, so we strongly encourage you to do your research, think through this decision, and discuss it with any other individuals that make up your support team at home.

Step 5: Complete your Application and Prepare to Go Abroad

Congrats! You have committed to your program and are ready to finalize your preparations.  These preparations include completing your Auburn Abroad Portal which covers information about your flight, passport, emergency contacts, pausing your meal plan, etc.  You will also need to attend a Pre-Departure Orientation session hosted by Auburn Abroad prior to departure, as well as a Site-Specific Orientation hosted by your program.  Figuring out the logistics isn’t the only way to prepare to go abroad, however.  You will need to start preparing yourself to be abroad.  Researching your host country will be exceptionally important so that you know what to expect from local climate/weather to cultural norms and expectations.  Understanding culture-shock and strategies for navigating an unfamiliar place are important. In addition to the internet, consider reaching out to others and learning about their experiences as well as speaking to your program director and/or third-party provider.

Step 7: Go Abroad!

Hooray! Your bags are packed, plane ticket and passport are in hand, and you have completed all the requirements and preparations to study abroad.  You’ve worked hard to get here and now it’s time for the fun part, it’s time to go abroad!

If there is one thing that our office loves to do, it is to convince students that studying abroad can be for them! We’ve heard it all in terms of why a student might think that studying abroad isn’t for them, so we’re here to dispel a few common study abroad myths!

Myth No. 1 – I Can’t Afford to Study Abroad!

Sometimes, when students see program fees for study abroad programs for the first time, they are overwhelmed and feel like studying abroad is inaccessible for them. In reality, there are plenty of resources in and outside of Auburn that can minimize the cost of studying abroad. For many Auburn custom programs, students already receiving AU scholarships and financial aid can apply those resources to their study abroad programs. Additionally, scholarships such as the Gilman Scholarship are available to support Pell eligible students in studying abroad. (Students interested in applying for the Gillman can receive application resources from our office!) Finally, a quick web search can offer countless resources on third-party scholarships that can be applied to AU and Non-AU study abroad programs. Needless to say, finances do not have to be a barrier to studying abroad and getting an experience of a lifetime! 

Myth No. 2 – I’ll Miss Out on Too Many Things While I’m Abroad! 

Every year, over 1,000 Auburn University students participate in a study abroad program through the University or another provider. These experiences are once-in-a-lifetime, academically enriching, and make students stand out in future professional environments. Despite all of these benefits, it is completely normal to feel like you’re missing out on “regular college life” while you’re abroad. Just remember that you are gaining an amazing, cultural experience that those back home are not. Try to focus on living in the moment and participating in all the fantastic things that going abroad has to offer! 

Myth No. 3 – I’ll be Going Alone and Won’t Know Anyone! 

Much like transitioning to college for the first time, studying abroad alone can initially be an intimidating thought. This intimidation is only exacerbated when you do not know the other students in your program. In reality, studying abroad without people you know can be a great learning experience outside of your comfort zone! You and the other members of your program are typically in the same boat – this is your first time traveling without family or friends, and you’re not sure how you will connect with your classmates. What typically ends up happening amongst all the excitement of being in a different country is that you and your classmates will find common interests, go on excursions together, and generally just start connecting. Before you know it, you’ve formed relationships on a program that you would never have had without studying abroad!

Myth No. 4 – I’ll Struggle Because I Don’t Know the Native Language! 

Not knowing the native language of the country you are traveling to doesn’t have to be a barrier to studying abroad. English is one of the most spoken languages in the world, being the official or unofficial language of many countries. In fact, most institutions have courses completely in English! Also, all Auburn custom programs are taught by Auburn professors in English. That said, it’s still useful to at least attempt to learn the language of the country that you study in. Oftentimes, locals will take your attempt to communicate in their language as a sign of respect and genuine interest, so they won’t mind that you may have botched a pronunciation or two! Worst comes to worst, traveling with a translator app on your phone can always come in handy, particularly when you’re in a rush and need to communicate with someone quickly.  

Myth No. 5 – My Major Isn’t Offered Abroad! 

All majors can be studied in a different country, it’s just a matter of finding a program that offers a curriculum for what you study! Some AU Programs are non-major specific, meaning that students in any discipline can participate and receive credit. If Auburn doesn’t offer a study abroad program for your major, you can look to a third party provider program that will have additional course offerings and credit that can be transferred back to Auburn. If you know you want to study abroad and have specific academic needs, doing outside research or meeting with a member of the Auburn Abroad staff can be a great first step to point you in the right direction. 

These are just a few myths that many students believe about studying abroad. If you are even just the least bit curious about studying abroad we highly encourage you to attend Study Abroad 101 or to schedule an advising appointment with our office so that we can answer your questions and debunk any other myths you might believe!

As an undergraduate student here at Auburn, I really wanted to study abroad but never committed to making that dream a reality. During my time as a master’s student, I realized just a little too late into my program that the College of Education had an opportunity for graduate students to study abroad in Australia. Needless to say, I was disappointed in my poor planning and had resigned myself to continuing to live vicariously through other students who were studying abroad.

Everything changed for the better and my dream of studying abroad became a reality after I began working on my Ph.D. in Higher Education Administration a couple of years later. I am incredibly grateful for the support that I received from this office, which allowed me to spend three incredible, life-changing weeks in Australia during the summer of 2019.

During those three weeks, we learned about the Australian education system, toured a variety of schools across all levels of education, and engaged in several immersive experiences that centered the lives and culture of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples.

Our trip began in Hobart, Tasmania – now one of my favorite places on earth. The bulk of our time was spent in and around Sydney, the capital of New South Wales. Because of my education and professional interests in higher education, I completed a brief internship at the Nura Gili: Centre for Indigenous Programs at the University of New South Wales where I was able to learn more about national policies, initiatives, and programs that help to support Indigenous student success at Australian universities.

While this brief summary of my experience cannot fully encompass its true impact, I will end by my saying my life as graduate student, higher education professional, and human being are better for the time I spent in Australia. Like Auburn Abroad said in their blogpost earlier this summer, studying abroad is “an excellent opportunity for students to broaden their horizons through cultural immersion and international experiences.” Ultimately, I’m grateful that this dream became a reality of mine, and I hope that all of you will consider studying abroad during your time as an Auburn student!

As the world becomes increasingly global, international experiences are integral to fostering foreign relations and creating a diverse and inclusive student body here at Auburn University. Studying abroad is an excellent opportunity for students to broaden their horizons through cultural immersion and international experiences. Auburn Abroad, housed within the Office of International Programs, is committed to contributing to the internationalization of the university and is dedicated to helping students and faculty travel abroad!

Study Abroad Options 

Auburn Abroad offers a variety of study abroad opportunities for students. Programs are flexible for student needs. 

Auburn Abroad Programs 

Auburn study abroad programs are led by Auburn faculty. Students can receive both direct Auburn course credit and/or transfer credit for the courses they take while abroad. Programs vary in length (anywhere from one week to a full year) and span a wide range of geographic regions, subject area, and credit type (major, minor, internship, elective, and core). Housing options include residence halls, apartments, homestays, and hotels. Programs are available for all majors and student levels, although students need at least two semesters of college coursework to be eligible to study abroad.

Fun Fact: students can use Auburn scholarships and financial aid toward Auburn study abroad programs! 

Non-Auburn Programs 

If students cannot find an Auburn program that suits their needs, they can still study abroad with a program from another school or provider. Credit they obtain from courses while abroad can be carried back to Auburn as transfer credits. All students that participate in a Non-Auburn Program will register with our office so that they will still receive guidance and support when preparing for their program. This guidance and support includes knowledge of non-Auburn options, receiving transient/transfer credit, and signing up for insurance.

What We Offer 

Study Abroad 101 

Study Abroad 101 is a weekly 30-minute group session to help students learn about the study abroad process and all that the Auburn Abroad office has to offer. Students will learn how to choose the right program and are provided the opportunity to ask any general questions they have about studying abroad.

Peer Advising 

With Peer Advising, students work one-on-one with our student peer advisors to find the right program and get help with their applications. Peer advisors can also answer any specific questions students have about studying abroad. 

How to Find a Program 

Our Program Search tool makes it easy to find abroad programs that fit each student’s needs. With simple and advanced search options, students can find programs based on college or school, academic term, location, or type of credit offered. Auburn Abroad offers a number of major/college specific programs as well as more broad programs such as the Core Curriculum program in Barcelona, where students receive two core curriculum credits over four weeks in the summer.  

We recommend students speak with their academic advisors when considering studying abroad in order to determine which programs and terms are best fit for their needs. Peer Advising is also beneficial for students who know they want to study abroad but aren’t sure where to start. 

Student Stories 

If you are interested in learning more about studying abroad at Auburn from the student perspective, please head over to the Auburn Abroad blog, Global Tiger Tales. Here you will learn more about specific programs as students detail their own international experiences.