ENGAGE IN A WORLD CLASS EXPERIENCE
"The journey of a thousand miles must begin with a single step."
Lao Tzu
ATU Study Abroad Mission
The mission of Arkansas Tech University’s Study Abroad office is to increase ATU’s presence and effective participation in the nation and the world. The office will promote and cultivate international education and multicultural understanding. Through its study abroad, study away, and exchange programs, this office strengthens global perspective, broadens world-view, and fosters responsible global citizenship of the campus community.
Study Abroad with Arkansas Tech University
We believe international learning experiences can significantly impact your intellectual, personal and professional growth. When studying abroad, book knowledge comes alive. You experience culture and history firsthand. Your perspectives broaden. You leave a student and return a citizen of the world.
Today, Arkansas Tech partners with National Student Exchange and Global Endeavors to offer short and year-long study abroad programs. These programs have challenging coursework, and many have opportunities for internships, field study, independent research, language partnerships, community service, organized group excursions and personal travel.
Regardless of your major, your background or your circumstances, you can fulfill your dream to expand your world and travel abroad. Scholarships are also available to help you make that dream a reality.
The ATU Study Abroad Office holds the health and safety of its students as its highest priority. We have made every effort to make our programs as safe as possible, and provide our students and faculty with the information they need to make safe and informed decisions. Please refer to ATU's international travel policy here.
There are many reasons to spend a semester or summer abroad, but the goals you make and what you get out of the experience ultimately lies with you.
You’re in the process of completing the first step for studying abroad at ATU, but what brought you here? Do you want to become fluent in another language? Do you want to build your resume? Did your friend drag you along? Here are a few others reasons for studying abroad that you may not have considered:
- Experience a new culture first hand
- Grow personally, gain independence, flexibility, and cross-cultural communication skills
- Gain a new perspective on world affairs, your country and even your own school
- Improve your professional and financial potential
- Dispel stereotypes
- Take advantage of the opportunity to travel
- Conduct personal research
- Prepare for graduate school
Short term and long term Study Abroad options are available through Arkansas Tech University and our partner organizations. Experiences include studying, interning, and volunteering.
ATU Programs
Short-term
Short-term programs include one-four week faculty-led trips.
- Literary London
- French Immersion in Cannes, France
- Costa Rica: Pura Vida
- Canada: Music and Meaning: Bridging Canadian History Through Song
- Spain & Portugal: Spanish Immersion
- Mexico: Mexico City Culture & History
- Morocco & Spain: Traditional Performance Arts
- Germany: Follow the Money Hanseatic League
- Austria: Education in Styria
- Germany: Business-Intercultural Understanding
- Costa Rica: Servant Leadership Across Cultures
Long-term
Long-term programs include semester and academic year exchange.
Japan:
- Komazawa University, Tokyo
- Nagasaki International University, Sasebo
- Nagasaki University, Nagasaki
- Nagoya University of Foreign Studies (NUFS), Nisshin
- Osaka University of Commerce, Osaka
- Doshisha University, Kyoto
Spain:
Austria:
Germany:
World Endeavors
World Endeavors provides connection-seekers a chance to intern, volunteer and gather together in group programs abroad.
Intern
World Endeavors arranges unpaid internships. Specific internship placements cannot be guaranteed.
- Argentina
- Australia
- Costa Rica
- Czech Republic
- Ecuador
- England
- France
- Ireland
- Italy
- Morocco
- South Africa
- Spain
- Thailand
- Virtual Opportunities
ATU student, Kacy Watkins, wrote about her virtual internship with a non-profit in Argentina:
"My time at Mensajeros de la Paz, was a time of learning, growth, and cultural exchange...Doing a virtual internship with World Endeavors has some pretty amazing advantages. I was able to keep my job and do my virtual internship at the same time... it allowed me to gain some much needed experience, while working to provide for myself. I extended my network with this program and strengthened my virtual skills as I navigated the internship process. It was truly a fun and beneficial experience!"
Volunteer
World Endeavors’ international volunteer programs match participants with certain interests or skills to specific service projects in need of hands-on help.
National Student Exchange
Have you considered spending a semester at another university? National Student Exchange (NSE) can help! NSE enables Arkansas Tech University students to choose from over 160 institutions throughout the United States, Canada, Puerto Rico, Guam and the U.S. Virgin Islands.
Studying abroad is an unforgettable adventure, but there are many steps to plan for before you get ready to travel to another country – and that doesn’t just mean getting your passport out and a suitcase ready. The process of studying abroad can be overwhelming, so it is best to start the process early.
Begin Your Process Here!
- Study Abroad Handbook - Long-Term Study Abroad
- Academics
Have you met with your academic advisor to discuss how the program fits into your plan? - Program Spectrum
What kind of Study Abroad experience do you want to have? - Financial Considerations
How are you funding your Study Abroad experience? - Health & Safety
Are you prepared for a healthy and safe trip abroad? - Adjusting to Life Abroad
- Diversity & Inclusion
- Parents
- Passports/Visas
- Activity Level
ATU SCHOLARSHIPS
The Study Abroad Scholarship is awarded as a supplement for undergraduate students participating in travel abroad for academic credit at Arkansas Tech University. A student who is completing College Distinction requirements would be a qualified candidate, but not the only candidate eligible for assistance.
The Study Abroad Scholarship is valued at a maximum of $1000.00 per trip, as funds are available. The scholarship is applied to the student's account either covering the costs associated with the course or refunding to the student for expenditures if course costs are already covered. Preference will be given to students with financial need.
Applications will be considered on the following deadlines: October 1, December 1, March 1, and April 1
National Scholarships
The following are a diverse selection of study abroad scholarship opportunities for undergraduates.
- David L. Boren Undergraduate Scholarship (National Security Education Program (NSEP))
- Bridging Scholarships for Study in Japan
- Congress-Bundestag Youth Exchange for Young Professionals to Germany
- Cultural Vistas Fellowship
- DAAD German Academic Scholarship
- Diversity Abroad Scholarship
- Foundation for Global Scholars
- Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
- Go Overseas Scholarship
- Japanese Government Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science and Technology)
- Rotary International Global Grant
- CIEE Frederick Douglass Global Fellowship
- Critical Language Scholarship
You can search by destination or by courses of study under "Choose your Destination". Consider the following questions as you research programs:
- When do you want to study abroad?
- How long do you want to be abroad? A summer, semester, year?
- Do you want courses in English or another language?
- Do you need specific classes for your major or minor?
Call 479.964.0527 or stop by the Study Abroad Office, 116 E Dean Hall, to schedule a meeting with ATU Study Abroad Coordinator Gabriele Haulmark. During your meeting, you will have the chance to discuss your options in greater detail.
Calendar
January 26, 2023 - International Lecture Series: K-12 Education Around the Globe: Ilavaram, India @ 9 A.M. Zoom link: bit.ly/3XAPhgX
February 1, 2023 - Study Abroad/National Student Exchange Info Session; The Miller Center, Dean Hall 117 @ 1 P.M.
February 1, 2023: Boren Scholarship deadline
February 13, 2023 - Re-entry Orientation; The Miller Center Dean Hall 117 @ 4pm
February 14, 2023 - Frederick Douglas Global Fellowship application deadline
February 15, 2023 - National Student Exchange Info Session; The Miller Center, Dean Hall 117 @ 1 P.M.
Due to COVID 19, students all over the world have not been able to travel abroad and may not be able to for some time. In an effort to bring the world to our students and to facilitate the internationalization effort at ATU, the Study Abroad Office has helped ATU faculty members, faculty members at partner universities, and specialists abroad come together for a variety of virtual collaborations. These include guest lectures, collaborative webinars, interactive workshops, and cooperative curricular/co-curricular activities among students.
