Steps to Study Away

We can help make studying away a reality for you! Whether you are thinking about studying abroad or doing one of our domestic semester-long* programs, we are here to answer your questions, advise you about your options, and get you ready to go!

*Students interested in summer programs should visit our Summer Study Abroad page for more information & next steps.

Step 1: Advise

Drop by Slocum 311 and chat with an IOCP Mentor (mentors@owu.edu) about the study away experience -- available options, getting prepared to go, etc. 

Complete the Study Abroad 101 presentation, which highlights key points and will answer most of your questions. 

Explore all your options using the OWU Study Away Programs & Application Site.   

Seek out other on-campus resources for more information:

• Meet with your academic advisor to discuss your academic plans.  
• Meet with representatives of partner programs/institutions that frequently visit campus.  
• Meet with Lisa Ho, Associate Director of IOCP / Study Away.  
• Attend Access Study Abroad meetings to learn more about external grants and scholarships and budgeting for your semester away.  
• Connect with study-away alumni who have participated in the program that you are considering.  
• Review the Financial Planning website for Study Away -- or download the information in the pdf Guide.

Step 2:  Apply

Sumbit an application using the OWU Study Away Programs & Application Site. Please know that you must apply for permission to study away from OWU by our application deadline (term specific). You can find the application deadlines for Fall & Spring programs here.

After you have been approved for off-campus programs, we will assist you in getting ready to apply directly to your program (do not apply directly to your program provider until you are approved by OWU).

Step 3: Prepare

Once you have been accepted into a program you will attend a Next Steps Meeting to plan for off-campus study, both academically and financially.

Academic Planning & Credit Transfer

• Every student must complete a study away academic plan prior to departure, including a Course Planning Form and a Permission to Transfer Credit Form. These are approved by the student's academic advisor, the chair of the department of the student's major, and the Registrar's Office, to ensure that students know prior to departure how their coursework completed while away will transfer back and apply towards their degree requirements.

• Student's must be enrolled full-time while away.

• Students must advise the Registrar's Office if they deviate from their established plan while away.

Finally, you will get ready for departure with our Pre-Departure and Cross-Cultural Essentials online presentations.