Our Philosophy
Overseas Programs offers a variety of study abroad programs worldwide, through which students may experience other cultures, improve foreign language skills, and study specialized subjects. The experience is designed to enhance a student’s academic field of study and career direction, and may even be life-transforming. We endeavor to provide all Arts & Sciences students at Washington University with the opportunity to study abroad at some point during their undergraduate program.
Our study abroad philosophy:
- Study abroad should complement a student’s degree program with an emphasis on advanced work within the major course of study. Select summer programs offer opportunities for study abroad beyond the major course of study.
- Students should be academically prepared to make the most of their classes and experiences abroad. This may include proficiency in a foreign language, preparation in the major field, as well as courses relevant to the geographic area or subjects to be studied abroad.
- Faculty should be involved in evaluating, overseeing and developing study abroad opportunities for our students.
- Every major in Arts & Sciences has designated a Study Abroad Advisor to mentor students as they apply to study abroad, to evaluate the programs and the students’ academic progress while abroad and to advise Overseas Programs on the development of new programs and policies.
- Our current list of approximately 100 approved programs were chosen for their high academic quality and good fit with the curriculum and educational priorities of Washington University. All qualified WU students may participate in these programs, although usually only a few of these are academically appropriate for any one student.
- Decisions to add new approved programs are carefully made and involve many steps, including: consultation with faculty and students about the need for a new program to meet a particular academic interest; review of program options; if possible, a site visit to review one or more options by faculty or Overseas Programs staff; and the strong support of relevant faculty and the Study Abroad Advisory Board. Ongoing evaluations are conducted with returning students as are periodic site visits by faculty and Overseas Programs staff. A similar process is used to close programs that no longer meet a WU academic need or our standards of quality.
- Students may petition to participate in programs not included in our list of approximately 100 options as long as they have a compelling academic reason and strong support of their faculty advisors.
- Generally, WU does not offer opportunities for students from other colleges or universities, although our program in Chile and some summer programs do.
Studying abroad for a summer, a semester, or a year opens up a world of possibilities and encourages students to embark on a lifelong journey of international education. Our mission in Overseas Programs is to help students make that first step!