If you go to SDSU, chances are pretty good that at least one faculty member has talked to you about studying abroad. There are constantly emails about opportunities, study abroad fairs, and presentations. However, what’s it really like? We’re here to walk you through what you need to know about a study abroad with SDSU, as well as the resources that are available to you.
As a little background, I’m a recent graduate from SDSU. I did my undergrad there, returned for my credential, and am working on my Master’s from the school as well. I studied abroad during my undergrad in Belfast, Northern Ireland, with the US-UK Fulbright Summer Institute program. Both my major (International Security and Conflict Resolution) and one of my minors (Honors Interdisciplinary Studies) required a study abroad. Because of this, I not only have my own experience to speak from, but also the experience of many friends and colleagues who traveled to every corner of the world.
Overview + Types of Programs
Your best source for internal information on a study abroad with SDSU is their study abroad website, Aztecs Abroad. This isn’t always well advertised, so be sure to check it out!
Length of Duration: Summer, Winter, Semester, Full Year
Traditionally, most people think of a semester abroad when they imagine studying abroad. However, SDSU offers many options. Thanks to faculty led programs, you can study abroad for as short as a week or two! For those who still want a study abroad experience but can’t commit to a full semester, this is a great option. You normally get a few credits for classes and experiences that an SDSU professor leads.
Similarly, for summer programs, you often have the option of doing a faculty-led shorter program. My Fulbright program lasted a month, and that was an external approved study abroad. Short term programs like these, which are under eight weeks, only require you to do 3-6 units. Longer programs require you to do 12+ units per semester, similar to the full time enrollment status at home. This page is very helpful, as it breaks down possible programs for you, their length, and the credits it would give you based on your major.
One important note is that SDSU offers some semester long “study abroad” experiences that take place right across the border. Because the school is so close to Mexico, it has a partnership with a school in Tijuana. The class crosses the border together once a week and attends a class led by an SDSU professor there. This is a fantastic option if your budget is tight or you don’t want to leave home entirely. My friends who did it loved the flexibility!
Internship Abroad
If you don’t want the traditional study abroad with SDSU, you can also do an internship abroad through the school. This page lists potential internships that the school accepts, so it is great to scroll through. It’s important to note that you must see an advisor first and that you definitely want to make sure everything is approved before you commit. SDSU and its related programs offer both virtual and in person internships that you can choose from. There are also scholarships available to help fund this. This is an excellent option if you are looking to build hard or technical skills for your resume.
Volunteer Abroad
SDSU’s volunteer abroad options are a little underdeveloped, but still exist. You can find information on them here. Like internships, these programs are both internal and external (meaning you would have to get it approved), and they are both virtual and in person. Generally, there are more external options. This might require a bit more sleuthing, but from the one person I knew who did it, it was definitely worth it!
Virtual Programs
Virtual programs increased in popularity during the pandemic for obvious reasons. Now, they are still offered, and they give you a great chance to explore other cultures while still maintaining home responsibilities. These virtual programs are generally best for those who are required to do a study abroad but aren’t ready for the commitment. However, you need to make sure they fulfill requirements and bear credit if you want to count them for your major or minor.
Other Types of Study Abroad Programs Offered at SDSU
If you’ve attended a study abroad fair or looked at the SDSU study abroad website, you’ve probably seen a million acronyms. It’s most certainly overwhelming, but this page breaks it down for you a bit more. If you want a visual, it’s also a good resource. Essentially, it helps to look through these, as there are various payment options, and it helps you to determine what will be most efficient for you.
Study Abroad Resources at SDSU
Planning a study abroad can feel very overwhelming. However, there are several resources put in place for you to get the help you need. Whether it’s learning more about programs, making sure your coursework will count, or getting documents figured out, SDSU has you covered.
Resource #1: Global Education Office
SDSU’s study abroad office (aka the Global Education Office) is the most logical first stop for study abroad resources. The name change is recent, but the purpose is the same. They are there to help you with anything related to your study abroad with SDSU. They can help you with the following things:
- Advising you on the best study abroad option for you overall
- Looking for/learning about financial aid
- Getting your documents in order
- Making sure you are fulfilling major/minor requirements
- Purchasing the required study abroad insurance
My experience with the office was a net positive. The advisors there were very helpful and kind. Overall, I felt like they knew their stuff and they were willing to help. They helped me to get all of my paperwork sorted and made sure I wasn’t missing anything. However, it could be difficult to reach them or to make an appointment. At least in my personal dealings with them, it was the kind of thing that frustrated you a bit in the process. Additionally, many times they will refer you to Aztecs Abroad, so make sure you take a glance at that before you go in.
Resource #2: Registrar’s Office
This is a good resource just to make sure that your bases are covered. Generally, you work with an advisor after you study abroad to ensure your credits are counted. You send your foreign transcripts to this office and they process it for you on your degree evaluation. If you’re like me, however, you might want to swing by beforehand just to make sure everything is on track and to double check that your credits will be counted!
Resource #3: Your Major (or Minor) Advisor
Your major or minor advisor will probably be one of the most helpful resources as you plan your study abroad. As I mention in this article, your advisor is one of the most valuable resources you have, and you should visit them once a semester. Because of this relationship you build, they will know you better than any other advisor. Additionally, they will be able to look at your degree evaluation with the difficulty and requirements of your major in mind, so they will give you more targeted advice.
Your major or minor advisor will also help you to see if any classes will count toward your major. While many people just use a study abroad to fulfill GE requirements, many times they can apply to your major as well! This is especially true if your major or minor requires a study abroad. In this case, your advisor will be very knowledgeable and will be able to give you the most personalized advice.
Resource #4: Honors Advisors
If you are in the Weber Honors College, make this your first stop for study abroad advice. They were the most helpful resource during my journey, and many of my Honors colleagues felt the same way. Part of this is due to logistics. Because the Honors staff only serves a small portion of the university, they can devote more attention to you. Additionally, they are used to dealing with the Honors clientele. Due to Honors requirements, these students are generally more competitive for exclusive scholarship opportunities, and the staff are well equipped to help you in your application.
With my Fulbright application, I first found out about the opportunity through the Honors College. While I was applying, my Honors advisor helped review my application so that it was the strongest it could be. After I moved into the interview stage, she even did mock interviews with me. I firmly believe that I could not have earned my scholarship without the help of these wonderful people, and for that reason, I strongly recommend it!
Financial Aid Resources
Studying abroad is often more affordable than most people realize, especially when you study abroad with SDSU. The school has so many resources put in place for you to make it feasible. It takes a little work to get these scholarships, but it is definitely possible!
Aztec Scholarships
SDSU’s home for scholarships is Aztec Scholarships. This is the one-stop portal for all scholarships through SDSU, which I discuss here. For me, it made an incredible difference in my educational journey. I was able to attend SDSU almost for free! This page has some information on finding study abroad scholarships through Aztec Scholarships. By using this, many of my friends were able to turn their study abroad dreams into reality.
Global Education Office/Aztecs Abroad
SDSU’s Global Education Office and Aztecs Abroad are both the main sources of study abroad information at SDSU. The advisors are generally able to help you based on your personal situation, and they know of many opportunities. Additionally, on each website (linked above), they list scholarship opportunities.
One thing to consider is what type of program you do and what financial aid you currently have. For example, if you currently have FAFSA or CalVet help, you can work with a study abroad advisor to see how that could transfer to your study abroad. Depending on the type of program you choose, it might be able to cover some of it. Current scholarships also could help to cover it! This can often be your first step, as you might have more money available than you think.
When in doubt, go to Google. This is a tried and true method when you have exhausted all options through the school. By simply Googling “study abroad scholarships” or “study abroad scholarships for ____,” you will be able to find new opportunities. Additionally, some of these might not have restrictions that SDSU scholarships do. They might also be more closely tied to your area of study–or you might find new programs entirely.
Government Sponsored Study Abroads
This brings me to my favorite type of study abroad, and the one that I did. In order to facilitate global collaboration, create well-rounded citizens, and essentially do good PR for the US, the US government sponsors many study abroad programs. You’ve probably heard of some of them, but maybe you haven’t looked into them. Here’s a quick summary of a few popular ones:
- Fulbright: Fulbright offers US-UK Summer Institutes for undergraduate students in their first or second year. This is a fully funded study abroad scholarship for a 3-4 week program in the UK, and they have options from studying drama in London to studying conflict resolution in Belfast. This is a fantastic opportunity to experience the diverse culture of the UK. Additionally, Fulbright offers many fellowships/scholarships for graduate and post-graduate students. These include pursuing research projects abroad, doing a Master’s abroad, and teaching English abroad.
- Boren Award: Boren Scholarships are for US undergraduate students to study language and culture in “regions critical to US interests.” This might not be your traditional Western Europe study abroad, but it could be very competitive and rewarding. Boren Fellowships are for graduate students, so there are always future opportunities as well.
- Critical Language Scholarship: Similarly, the CLS program funds a summer study abroad in a location important to US interests. Here, you will participate in intensive language learning in languages like Arabic, Russian, Portuguese, and Swahili.
- Marshall Scholarship: This is very competitive, and it funds a post-graduate study in the UK for either one or two years.
- Mitchell Scholarship: This funds up to one year of a postgraduate study in Ireland–it’s very competitive as well!
- This website lists even more opportunities.
A Final Word
Studying abroad is one of the best things you can do in college, and SDSU truly embodies that. Their study abroad programs are a big motivator for many students. With all of the opportunities available to you, you can probably see why! While it can certainly be overwhelming to sift through these, it is totally worth it in order to make your study abroad dream a reality. Did you study abroad with SDSU? Was this article helpful? Is there anything you still need to know? Let me know in the comments!
