Study Abroad Resources & Policies for Students
Here’s important information whether you are considering your options, preparing for departure, currently abroad, or returning home:
- Live & Study Abroad
- Prepare for Travel
- Health & Safety
- Identity & Study Away
- Going Abroad after Graduation
We highly encourage you to review our study abroad policies during all stages of your travel.
If you have additional questions, reach out to the Study Abroad Office or your faculty leader.
There are also study abroad resources for families that have a student who’s interested in study abroad.
Live & Study Abroad
Language Skills
You do not need to speak a foreign language to study abroad or participate in a faculty-led program.
All WSU approved programs offer coursework in English unless the program is specifically for language acquisition.
In non-English speaking countries, it is suggested to take a language course in addition to coursework in English. There are programs where you would take a course in the language of that country and take all the rest of your courses in English at the host institution.
To improve your language skills, it is better to choose a program that teaches more of your courses in the country’s language.
Housing & Meals
If you live on campus, view the WSU Housing Policies to learn about canceling your housing agreement during your semester abroad.
Semester/summer students generally arrange housing directly with universities or program providers. You will select a housing option prior to your departure.
Depending on the host program, you may choose between a homestay, a dorm, or an independent apartment.
Many universities and programs require student to live in housing arranged by the program. In most cases, housing fees are paid by the student directly to the university or program provider.
We recommend that you find a housing option that maximizes integration into the host culture, whether through living with a local host family or with local students.
Meal options will also vary. You may find yourself eating 3 meals a day with your host family, have on-campus dining hall options, or cook for yourself in a dorm or apartment.
Lodging and most meals are coordinated for you and included as part of the program cost.
Students on faculty-led programs typically stay in a hotel or apartment.
You may stay in more than one type of accommodation during the program.
The students and faculty leaders are housed in the same lodging location.
Technology
You can choose to take your WSU laptop with you abroad. Learn more about using WSU laptops away from campus (PDF).
Experiential Learning
Some faculty-led, semester and summer programs include an internship, a field experience, or service-learning opportunity.
Grades & GPA
The Study Abroad Office receives student transcripts from host institutions and programs, which may take up to three months after a summer or semester study abroad program ends.
Your transcript is then sent to the WSU Registrar, which will enter grade information into your DARS.
If you have any financial hold from the host institution, your grades may be delayed.
Study abroad grades are calculated in Transfer GPA and the Cumulative GPA.
Courses taken abroad that count towards a major will be included in the Major GPA calculation.
Grades from faculty-led program courses are due during the term in which the program took place.
These grades are calculated in your GPA just like courses taken on the WSU campus.
Prepare for Travel
Passports
Need a passport? The WSU Study Abroad office can process applications for new passports.
Most post offices and some other businesses can also process passport applications. Learn more about passports.
General Travel Information
Use a Currency Converter to understand how US dollars compare to the currency used in your host country.
Find out whether you need a visa, learn more about your destination, and get tips for staying healthy and safe while away.
Explore tips about how to plan, what to know before departure, and more.
Find out the latest information about airport screening by TSA.
Pre-Departure Orientation
Pre-Departure Orientations are mandatory and located in the Learning Content area in your online study abroad account.
The Pre-Departure Orientation introduces you to the important study abroad policies that apply to Winona State students regardless of where you study abroad.
This orientation also provides resources on health and safety, cultural adjustment, and strategies for success while abroad.
Semester/Summer students will also attend an in-person Open Forum to meet other students going abroad during the same term, have any remaining questions answered, and meet alumni of their program.
Faculty-led program students will take part in a series of in-person meetings prior to departure. These meetings are required and include information about course content, location-specific details, health and safety information, packing tips and more.
Health & Safety
Find information on recommended vaccinations for your destination and advice about how to find medical care while abroad.
Get great tips for staying healthy while traveling.
Find an embassy or consulate closest to where you are in the world.
Prescription Medication
The laws around bringing prescription medications into a country can vary greatly, therefore it is necessary to check the legality of the medication in your host country.
If you currently take prescription medication, plan ahead for the entirety of your time abroad.
Review the travelers checklist for medications from the U.S. Department of State (Select “Get Required Documents section, Medications bullet”).
Problems & Emergency Situations
In the case of an immediate emergency, call the local equivalent of 911. Then contact your host university, program provider staff, or faculty leader.
If a non-immediate problem arises while you are abroad, get in touch with your host university, program provider staff, or faculty leader. They will be familiar with your study abroad site and will have the best information to find a rapid solution.
You can also contact the Study Abroad Office at 507.457.5081 and we will respond as soon as possible. Study Abroad staff are available Monday-Friday from 8am-4pm.
WSU Campus Safety & Security is available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week at 507.457.5555.
Sexual Assault Support
Whether you’re at home, living in Winona, or studying abroad, sexual assault can happen. If you need resources, these organizations can get you started.
Identity & Study Away
- Diversity Abroad: Students with Disabilities Abroad
- Air Travel Tips for People with Disabilities
- Transportation Security Administration (TSA): Traveling with Disabilities and Medical Conditions
- Mobility International USA
- Funding for students with disabilities
- Access to Exchange Summit– Free weekend course on studying abroad with a disability
Transgender people may have specific questions and concerns about traveling on study away programs – both domestically and internationally.
Going Abroad After Graduation
The U.S. Student Fulbright program offers English Teaching Assistantships in around 75 countries – and you may not need an education background or knowledge of the local language to apply.
Several foreign governments run programs that hire Americans to teach English to children and adults, such as:
- Austria: U.S. Teaching Assistantships
- Chile: National Volunteer Center
- France: Teaching Assistant Program in France
- Japan: Japan Exchange and Teaching Program and Interac
- Korea: English Program in Korea
- Spain: North American Language and Culture Assistants in Spain
- Thailand: Teach Thailand Corps
There are also organizations that will place you in another country to teach English for a fee, such as CIEE.
Or explore your options through job board resources like the ESL Café.
Graduate study in other countries is possible, depending on your field.
- Tuition varies around the world, and some countries are considerably cheaper than the U.S.
- A master’s degree may take only 1 year in some places, and a PhD may be only 3 years
- Even in countries where another language is spoken, certain universities may teach classes in English
There are several highly competitive scholarship programs that you may apply for:
- Fulbright: Options for study or research in over 140 countries around the world
- Boren: For studying languages and cultures of interest to U.S. National Security
- DAAD: For study, internship, and research in Germany
- Marshall: For advanced degree study at any public university in the UK
- Rhodes: specific to Oxford University
- Schwarzman: For a master’s degree in Global Affairs at Tsinghua University in China
- Yenching: For a master’s degree in China Studies at Peking University in China.
The Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals is a unique scholarship for study/work experience in Germany with:
- 2 months of language
- 4 months of academic coursework in your field
- 5 months of internship in your field
Previous knowledge of German is not required.
International Professional Work
Finding paid professional employment abroad can be a challenge, unless you have specialized skills that make you qualified for a work visa application. A good place to start learning about how to do this is Transitions Abroad. Transitions Abroad offers articles, paid and unpaid work and internship opportunities, volunteer organizations, and resume advice.
Working Holiday Jobs
For students seeking temporary work, there are services like Bunac. Bunac is a fee-based service that will secure a “holiday maker” work visa for you and help you find temporary employment in about 14 different countries, usually for jobs like summer camp counselors, bartenders, or hotel staff.
Organic Farm Labor
WWOOF is a membership organization facilitating organic farm labor in exchange for room and board in 130 countries around the world. Membership costs are minimal, and there are no additional fees from the organization.
Volunteer
There are also organizations that will place you in another country for various volunteer needs in development for a fee. Check out organizations like Princeton in Asia/Africa/Latin America.
Peace Corps
The Peace Corps offers volunteer opportunities abroad. The 2-year commitment gives you the opportunity to get to know a community in-depth while promoting mutual understanding between Americans and your host country. The application process is competitive, so it is best for you to apply as early as possible.