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Frequently Asked Questions

1. Why should I study abroad?
2. When is the best time to study abroad?
3. Do I have to speak another language to study abroad?
4. If I don’t have a regional focus in my studies, can I still study abroad?
5. I work full-time; do you have study abroad opportunities for me?
6. Can you offer any tips for designing my own program?
7. Why don’t you have any exchange partner universities where I want to study abroad?
8. Do you offer undergraduate study abroad programs?
9. How much does study abroad cost? Are there loans and/or fellowships that can help pay for study abroad?
10. What’s the difference between earning GW credits and earning transfer credits?
11. Can I do an internship while I am studying abroad?
12. How competitive are study abroad programs? Are they hard to get into?
13. I’m concerned that studying abroad will affect the security clearance process; do you have any tips?
14. How can I sublease my apartment while I am abroad?
15. I have further questions; who can I talk to for advice?

1. Why should I study abroad? Successful international affairs professional must possess not only a deep understanding of global and regional issues but also the ability to communicate, negotiate, and lead in a cross-cultural environment. These qualities cannot be learned by staying close to home but through a combination of academic, professional, and cultural experiences both at home and abroad. While on study abroad you learn about international, regional affairs, and global issues from other points of view and are challenged to articulate your own views in a diverse environment. You make the professional networks critical to your future career. You sit in the classroom along other future international affairs professionals from around the globe.
2. When is the best time to study abroad? M.A. students can study abroad any time after the first semester as a degree candidate. You should, however, start researching programs as soon as possible. Most students study for a semester during the spring of their first year or the fall of the second year. Some institutions have academic calendar that differ from the Elliott School. For example, the “fall” semester runs from mid-October to mid-February at Elliott School International Exchange Partners such as at Freie Universität Berlin, Sciences Po, Waseda, Fudan, Bogaziçi and AUB; most students therefore prefer to study at these institutions during a spring semester. In addition, some programs offer capstone courses only in the final spring semester, making study abroad at the end of the degree program difficult. Many students go abroad during the summer through GW Summer Abroad. Also, other short-term opportunities may be available during summer, winter, and spring breaks.
3. Do I have to speak another language to study abroad? No. Most of our exchange partner universities do not require language proficiency and offer many courses taught in English. Language proficiency is required only for our partners in France, Argentina, and Brazil. GW Summer Abroad programs also do not require language proficiency. Programs that are unaffiliated with GW should be consulted directly for language proficiency requirements. We encourage you to develop your language skills through study abroad, but you should not be discouraged if you aren't proficient in another language; there are many options for you.
4. If I don’t have a regional focus in my studies, can I still study abroad? Yes. Study abroad at the graduate level is intended to fit into your academic plan of study, whether you specialize in area studies global issues. Our exchange partner universities offer courses that complement all Elliott School degree programs.
5. I work full-time; do you have study abroad opportunities for me? Yes. Short-term opportunities are available through GW Summer Abroad and programs unaffiliated with GW.
6. Can you offer any tips for designing my own program? When designing your own program, it is important to consider which university will offer courses that meet your academic and professional needs. Make sure to read through our checklist for study abroad preparation for Elliott School grad students. In addition to the checklist, when researching other programs, consider the following questions:
   • What office at the host institution will be your primary point of contact?
   • What office will issue you the documents you need to obtain a student visa for the host country, if necessary?
   • Will your receive transfer credits for your Masters program as electives, as major field courses, or as core field courses?
   • Will you need to borrow financial aid from GW for the semester abroad?
   • What is the academic calendar at the host institution? When is the best time in your Masters program for you to study there?
   • Are there any special health and safety considerations for your proposed destination?
   • If you are an international student at GW, what impact will study abroad have on your U.S. student visa status? Discuss your plans with the GW International Services Office.

   Lastly, make sure to consult with Caroline Donovan White to learn about universities that may be a good fit for you and contact students who studied there in the past, if possible.

   * Note that the GW Office for Study Abroad serves primarily undergraduate students and they will not have significant resources for you. They do, however, register you for the semester you will be away, so that you are continuously enrolled as required by the University.

7. Why don’t you have any exchange partner universities where I want to study abroad? Good question! Because the Elliott School wants its students to have a solid academic experience while they are studying overseas, we put a great deal of effort and research into establishing exchange partnerships; not every destination abroad will have university to match the Elliott School criteria. If you have a specific institution or destination you would like to study abroad, contact Caroline Donovan White to discuss options for you.
8. Do you offer undergraduate study abroad programs? Undergraduate students should visit the GW Office for Study Abroad for undergraduate study abroad information. There are several programs designed for Elliott School undergraduates.
9. How much does study abroad cost? Are there loans and/or fellowships that can help pay for study abroad? Tuition and fees for exchange partner universities and for other programs can be found on our Costs web page. If you are studying at an Elliott School exchange partner university, you may use your Elliott School fellowships and/or GW financial aid towards the cost of attendance. If you are pursuing other programs, please speak with the Elliott School's Office of Graduate Admissions and the GW Office of Student Financial Assistance to learn about any implications that study abroad or outside funding sources may have on a financial aid package. Please see the Fellowships and Grants web page for ideas on other fellowships and scholarships for study abroad.
10. What’s the difference between earning GW credits and earning transfer credits? Students in classes at the GW campus or on a GW Summer Abroad program earn direct GW credit on their transcripts, and the grade received is factored into the G.P.A calculation. Students who earn credits at exchange partner universities or through other programs are awarded transfer credits: the credits are counted towards your graduation total, but the noted grade is “TR” and is not calculated into your G.P.A. For more information on earning transfer credits and the maximum transfer credits allowed visit Receiving Credits web page.
11. Can I do an internship while I am studying abroad? Yes. Several partner schools offer limited assistance with finding internships. It is more typical that students arrange internships on their own, after their arrival overseas. Often, our exchange partners advise students to intern during a summer term (prior to study abroad or following a semester of study abroad) rather than during the semester of classes. If you intern for a company or non-profit in Washington, DC that has overseas offices, ask if it’s possible to work in their overseas office while on study abroad. For more about overseas career development visit the Internships web page.
12. How competitive are study abroad programs? Are they hard to get into? Acceptance rates depend on the particular program you choose. In general, Elliott School candidates are very successful.
13. I’m concerned that studying abroad will affect the security clearance process; do you have any tips? While study abroad can affect the security clearance process, we recommend that you keep a journal of your interactions and activities while overseas that can be passed on to a security clearance administrator/agent/person. It may seem tedious but this information may expedite the security clearance process and provide you with you an opportunity to keep track of your experience.
14. How can I sublease my apartment while I am abroad? Former study abroad students have successfully subleased their apartments by posting an advertisement on http://washingtondc.craigslist.org/ , http://www.washingtoncitypaper.com, or with the Graduate Student Forum http://www.gwu.edu/~gsf. Incoming students from our exchange partner institutions may also be interested in your space and we can forward their email addresses to you when appropriate.
15. I have further questions; who can I talk to for advice? You can consult the Director for International Programs and Education, Caroline Donovan White, your academic advisor, and the Program Assistant for your degree program. Additionally, we have students from our various exchange programs here on campus who can give you an idea of what of it is like to attend their home university.

Last Updated 06.12.08