You’ve come to the right place for the answers…let’s get started!
It is completely natural for a student to feel a bit apprehensive about taking this important step. Most students do. Keep in mind that the overseas experience is much more than a vacation. It is a profound learning experience that will engender feelings of exhilaration, apprehension, frustration, satisfaction, self-doubt and accomplishment, often all at the same time.
In the following section, the Spiegel Center for Global and International Programs will address some of the most important and most frequently asked questions relating to Roger William’s wide array of study abroad opportunities.
Your first step…come by to see us! While you will find that many of your questions can be answered by navigating this website, it is important that you come by The Spiegel Center for Global and International Programs to meet with our Study Abroad Program Coordinator, Kevin Hayden. The staff is here to address any questions and concerns that you might have. The Spiegel Center's office hours are from 8:30am to 4:30pm and we are located on the first floor in the Global Heritage Hall. Come by to meet with us, or if you prefer to meet one one one, office hour sign-ups are available. You can email khayden@rwu.edu for further information.
Roger Williams University faculty can also serve as a great resource. They can provide a great deal of insight into the courses that you may be interested in taking abroad as well as the overall exoerience. Students that have already been abroad are another great resource. Don't be afraid to ask questions to someone who you know that may have just returned from a semester abroad.
As you plan for a semester or academic year abroad, you must also meet with your academic advisor. Working with your academic advisor to discuss your time abroad will ensure that studying abroad will work with your academic schedule.
In most cases, RWU students can go abroad as early as their sophomore year.
Each program, both RWU sponsored and RWU affiliated, will have a minimum GPA requirement. For RWU sponsored programs, the Semester Studies in London requires a minimum GPA of 2.5 while the Semester in Florence program requires a minimum GPA of 2.75.
For RWU affiliated programs, minimum cumulative grade point averages vary from 2.5 to 3.0. Please contact the Spiegel Center for detailed information on minimum requirements.
Other requirements include the following:
- Full time status
- Declaration of major and Core Concentration
- Good academic standing
- Clean judicial record
- Advisor's/dean's approval
For both RWU sponsored and affiliate programs, please visit out online application system. RWU application materials are available on the online application system as well as links to the affliated program online application materials.
Applications require a $50 non-refundable application fee, which can be dropped off in the Spiegel Center for Global and International Programs office. Once students are accepted into a program, they must submit a $600 deposit within 30 days of their acceptance. This $600 deposit will hold your spot int the program and will be applied to your semester charges.
For RWU-affiliated programs, the application process is also straightforward but will vary from institution to institution. Rest assured that the Spiegel Center for Global and International Programs staff will assist you in completing all necessary paperwork.
Whether considering going abroad for a semester, a summer session, a winter term or an academic year. You literally have the world available to you!
RWU’s semester programs in Florence and London provide carefully structured opportunities for academic study and cultural immersion in these two monumental cities. Additionally, we’ve developed formal affiliations with a select list of nationally recognized program providers that deliver profound academic and cultural immersion experiences on all five continents.
Depending upon your particular geographical interest and field of study, you have a choice between traditional university based programs abroad, culturally immersive programs and discipline-specific programs. Several study abroad programs offer students internship and service learning opportunities as well.
Semester option not for you? Not to worry, our short term programs can take you to places like London, Prague, Guatemala, Lisbon, Cuernavaca or Belize (and we’re expanding these options…stay tuned for more!)
For most of the RWU study abroad programs, both our own flagship programs and the affiliated programs, students will pay normal semester tution in addition to a comeprehensive fee (which includes room, board health insurance and other fees).
*There are some program exceptions where students will be billed directly by the affiliate and pay the affiliate directly based on their cost structure. Currently the SEA Semester program is the only such program.*
Students are advised to consult with the Spiegel Center to obtain the most up-to-date program costs.
In addition, students are responsible for the cost of airfare, books, lab materials and site-visit fees. Health insurance and activities fees are included in the comprehensive fee. An overload charge will be incurred for 18 or more credit hours.
Students need to budget independently for optional and extracurricular activities, including personal travel and spending money. Also, knowledge of the current exchange rates in relation to the local currency of where you will be studying will help you budget effectively.
Please consult with the Financial Aid office to determine how your particular aid will be affected by a semester abroad.
Tuition remission and tuition exchange does not apply to most study abroad programs. Please consult with the Spiegel Center for further information.
Take a moment to reflect about your academic and personal desires and preferences. Not all programs are appropriate for every student. Are you adventurous? Maybe a culturally immersive or language-based program would work best for you. Would you prefer a more structured program that offers traditional classroom settings? Then you should look into conventional-type programs. Here are more questions you should ask yourself to help you determining what type of program you should consider:
- How long do you want to Study Abroad?
- Would you prefer a university setting or a more intimate and personal setting?
- Do you need to take courses to fulfill major, minor and/or Core Concentration requirements?
- Do you prefer to live in a large city or a small town?
- Would you prefer to live with a host family? In an apartment? In a dormitory?
- Which study model will work best for you? Independent or one similar to the U.S.?
In most cases, students can maximize their semester experience abroad by satisfying a Core Concentration in International Studies. Please consult the guidelines for completion of this core concentration.
These are just a few of the questions you should ask yourself before you decide where you want to study. The Spiegel Center for Global and International Programs will be happy to discuss with you your answers to these questions.
For more detailed information on the many programs offered and the process required to apply you can visit the new online application system:
Application forms and more extensive program information
We invite you to learn about the program opportunities available to you. We also strongly encourage you to come by the Spiegel Center for Global and International Programs to meet with Kevin Hayden, Study Abroad Program Coordinator. You can also email him at khayden@rwu.edu for further information.