Eastern Michigan University offers a variety of different courses within its study abroad program. When pursuing the program it is best to start early because it creates the best window of opportunity, but that doesn’t mean it’s too late if you haven’t already started. The study abroad options at EMU are broken down into three categories: winter programs, summer programs and semester or yearlong programs.
“Studying abroad helps you dream and it expands your ideas for what you believe is possible. Studying abroad takes away borders and allows you to see yourself and the world in a bigger way than you did before,” said Eleonora Katsambouris, EMU Study Abroad Manager.
Gathering information and enrolling in the study abroad program as soon as you develop interest provides the greatest access to the courses offered because it allows flexibility for courses to be tailored to your graduation requirements. The goal is to provide academic enrichment without delaying graduation.
A key component to beginning enrollment in the program early is finding funding.
“Freshman year is the best time to apply. Beginning to apply for funding a year, to a year and a half ahead of time creates a better chance of maximizing your potential funding. We help provide information for funding options, but it’s essentially on the student to do the leg work, which further promotes independence and growth,” said Katsambouris.
Freshman year is the ideal time to apply, but not the only time you can apply. There are a lot of helpful scholarships, and programs to support students. Further information can be found through advising on campus located in Boone Hall.
“Many programs are costly and require more financial planning, but we do have programs where the cost of living is cheaper for a student to study abroad than it would be for a student to live here. Such as the program in South Korea that refunds part of your flight and provides two meals a day,” said Katsambouris.
The winter programs are lead by EMU faculty and last between 9-12 days. The summer programs are a mix of faculty lead and international programs that last between 2-6 weeks. In addition, there are semester and year long programs that are completely international.
“I don’t get tired of going to Rome, if I could go to Rome once a year for the rest of my life I would,” said Benita Goldman, EMU Study Abroad Program Coordinator.
Goldman not only helps coordinate the programs, but she also goes abroad to teach some of the courses so she gets a complete view of the whole process of the study abroad program.
“There is an accelerated growth that takes place when a student experiences international travel and education. In both short and long term studies students go through extensive growth and development. Studying abroad provides students with the skills they will need to enter an international work space here or overseas,” said Katsambouris.
Occupational development, intercultural development, individual growth and broadening your horizons literally and mentally are just some of the many different reasons to study abroad. More information can be found at emich.edu/abroad.