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Study Abroad

Studying Abroad: Reasons and Feasibility

Have you considered studying abroad? Did you decide it wasn’t feasible or affordable? In most cases it is feasible with some planning. And, studying abroad costs less than you may think!

Benefits of Studying Abroad

• Language. Even more important than practicing a foreign language, students who study abroad become experts at speaking in English with people who speak English as a second language, a valuable skill in the global field of engineering.
• Challenges. Studying abroad presents a variety of challenges—challenges unlike the ones you’ll find on the Illinois campus. New challenges exercise creativity and hone problem solving skills, which are central to engineering
• Culture. The appreciation students gain for foreign cultures while studying abroad enables them to work better in teams of engineers from all over the world. Learning to adjust to new cultures also prepares students for international travel throughout their careers.

Correcting Common Misconceptions

• Cost. It costs far less to study abroad for a semester than to study on campus for a semester.  Considering tuition, fess, transportation, food, and housing, students save over $6,000 per semester.
• Transfer Credit. The ECE Department values international experience. To encourage students to study abroad, the ECE Advising Office consistently approves transfer credit for technical courses before your program begins. While it is best to take core ECE classes on campus, it is easy to take technical electives, math courses, and general education courses abroad. You can graduate in eight semesters.

Plan Ahead

• Make an eight semester plan that allows you to take core requirements on campus without getting behind. See the example below.
• Visit the International Programs in Engineering (IPENG) Web site at www.engr.uiuc.edu/international.
• Go to the IPENG office in 210 Engineering Hall and ask for some information about opportunities in countries that interest you. There are programs for an academic year, a semester, summer, and winter break.

Example of an Eight Semester Plan Designed Around Studying Abroad

There are many ways to arrange classes. Below is an example with no AP credit. If you have AP credit, you can easily study abroad your fourth semester. 

Semester Abroad Cost Comparison for Freshmen Entering Fall 2008