The Office of International Education helps facilitate international opportunities for hundreds of students every year, with about 10% of all students studying abroad at some point during their time at Fredonia. With careful planning, studying abroad can be a reality, regardless of your budget, time frame, or preferred destination.
Immersing yourself in a new culture gives you invaluable cultural and interpersonal skills sought after in today's globalized world. And as a Fredonia student, you have access to any of SUNY's more than 600 study abroad programs! Whatever your goal, there's a program to fit your interests and needs regardless of your academic level or major.
Take Advantage of Study Abroad
Studying abroad is within reach, often more reasonable than many students think. If you have any questions you can always reach out to us at the Office of International Education.
Discover programs in multiple countries on multiple continents! You can even travel with students from other SUNY campuses.
Choosing your study abroad program presents both rewarding opportunities and challenges. Many students find the experience to be transformative, shaping their perspectives and broadening their horizons. Throughout this process, it's normal to have numerous questions, but rest assured, we're here to offer support and guidance every step of the way.
Students who are interested in study abroad are encouraged to use these resources as they begin their search for programs and scholarships.
Study Abroad 101
Want to study abroad but don't know where to begin? Learn about exploring available programs, finding coursework, and program cost through our Study Abroad 101 session. (Session time: 16:57)
Click here to watch Study Abroad 101
Gilman Scholarship Workshop
The Benjamin A. Gilman scholarship awards students up to $5,000 to support their study abroad experience during the Fall, J-Term, Spring, or Summer semester. Students who receive the Pell Grant as part of their financial aid award are eligible to apply for the Gilman Scholarship. Learn about the application process and how to write competitive essays through our Gilman Scholarship Workshop. (Session time: 15:08)
Students wishing to study abroad have a range of options for funding, from Fredonia scholarships to private scholarships to scholarships administered by the US and international governments. Explore the many funding opportunities available to students.
The study abroad process extends before and beyond the semester that you intend to go abroad. To ensure that your experience goes smoothly from start to finish, it is best to begin planning as soon as possible.
The following basic outline offers a clear overview of the steps necessary to ensure a successful study abroad experience. A more complete outline is available from the Office of International Education.
- Make the Decision to Study Abroad: When a student decides to study abroad, they should begin planning their experience right away. The best thing that they can do is meet with their academic advisor to determine how study abroad fits into their degree program.
- Choose a Program: Fredonia students have access to SUNY's 600+ study abroad programs, which means that they are likely to find a program that fits their major/minor, budget, time frame, or regional requirements. To explore programs, you should use the SUNY study abroad database, which allows you to narrow search options based on country, term, or major.
- Apply to Study Abroad: When you have narrowed down your favorite programs, you can begin to apply to study abroad. Note that you usually apply to programs the semester before you intend to go abroad, but keep an eye on application deadlines for programs as they can vary. Most applications require the following:
- Official transcripts from all institutions attended
- Two faculty recommendations
- Foreign language proficiency (if the intended program is not taught in English)
- Statement of why you have chosen to study abroad, academic goals, etc.
- Acceptance into the Program: You've been waiting patiently and the good news has finally come-- you have been accepted to study abroad! Now what? For certain, you can be prepared to fill out lots of paperwork with the SUNY institution that administers the program and with Fredonia's Office of International Education.
- Prepare to Go! As the day of departure draws nearer, you may find yourself getting nervous and excited about your upcoming adventure. That's completely normal and rest assured--the Office of International Education is here to help. You can always reach out to us or your host institution if you feel overwhelmed.