Study Abroad OverVU
The Study Abroad OverVU session is the first step on your study abroad journey, where you will explore the basics of how study abroad works at Vanderbilt. In-person sessions are offered weekly, and we highly encourage you to attend the live session for better engagement. Alternatively, you can watch the videos below before scheduling an appointment with a Study Abroad advisor.
Study Abroad Pathway Explained
Why Study Abroad?
Types of Study Abroad Programs
Academics
Study Abroad Course Search Tutorial
This tutorial takes a deep dive into the study abroad course evaluation process. You will learn how to effectively use the Study Abroad Course Search tool to find courses abroad, and how to get abroad courses evaluated for Vanderbilt credit.
Video coming soon!
Financial Aspects of Studying Abroad
Study Abroad Budget Sheet Tutorial
In this video, you will learn how find your program's budget sheet and understand the estimated cost for your
study abroad experience. Explore budget sheets here.
Video coming soon!
Summer Programs
Global Summer Fellowship
How to Open a Study Abroad Application
The screen capture below shows how to open a study abroad application for a program you have identified.
Video coming soon!
Next Steps
Once you learn the basics of how study abroad works at Vanderbilt by exploring the resources above, you can begin working with a Study Abroad advisor to focus on setting goals for your experience and narrowing down program options based on your goals. The following questions are a good place to start:
- What is motivating you to study abroad?
- What type of study abroad program interests you?
- What classes do you need to take while abroad?
- In what ways do you hope to step outside of your comfort zone and grow from this experience?
Study Abroad and Immersion Vanderbilt
Immersion Vanderbilt gives every Vanderbilt student the opportunity to pursue intellectual curiosities through immersive experiences and culminating projects that are as creative and unique as the students themselves. Immersion Vanderbilt is a degree requirement for all Vanderbilt undergraduate students. It consists of two key parts: PART ONE: IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES and PART TWO: CULMINATING PROJECT.
Study Abroad as Pathway for Immersion Vanderbilt
Study abroad is a tremendous opportunity for experiential learning and is considered one of the six immersive experience pathways for Immersion Vanderbilt. Students who successfully complete VU-approved study abroad programs during the Academic Year/Summer/Maymester will have automatically satisfied PART ONE: IMMERSIVE EXPERIENCES for Immersion Vanderbilt. Studying abroad does not preclude students from engaging in other immersive experiences such as research with a faculty member, internships, leadership and professional development, etc.
Culminating Project for Immersion Vanderbilt
Study abroad students have the option to create their culminating project based on their study abroad experience but are not required to if the student has an alternative plan for completing PART TWO: CULMINATING PROJECT for Immersion Vanderbilt. Prior study abroad-related culminating projects include but are not limited to:
- Academic paper on queer attitude in Ghana
- Short documentary film about a student’s home stay family
- Development of an app to facilitate social connection of study abroad students
- Comprehensive travel/cultural guide of a specific international destination
Students who wish to design an independent culminating project based on their study abroad experience should work with a faculty advisor to determine their project based on personal interest.
Immersion Funding for Study Abroad
Students are highly encouraged to utilize Immersion funding to support their Summer/Maymester study abroad experience, when institutional financial aid is not applicable. Students may be able to apply for Immersion funding to support their study abroad during the Academic Year. However, additional funding may impact existing financial aid package.
Global Summer Fellows is an Immersion fund specifically dedicated study abroad. In addition, study abroad students may also apply for other Immersion funding opportunities such as the A&S Immersion Micro-grant, Education Enhancement Fund, and merit-based scholarships awarded upon matriculation (Ingram, Cornelius Vanderbilt, Chancellor’s Scholars, & Crescere Aude). For more information about Immersion funding for study abroad, please visit the Immersion funding page.
Study Abroad advisors can provide personalized guidance and help you dive deeper into your goal-setting and the program selection process. You can meet with a Study Abroad advisor during daily drop-in office hours or by scheduling an appointment.