Global Study
Over the past decade, the number of American students studying abroad has more than doubled, and here at Wheaton international study has become an ever more popular feature of the undergraduate experience. Increasingly, Wheaton students understand that study abroad enriches their academic experience and better prepares them for life after college.
Wheaton offers an exciting range of study abroad options and activities through the Center for Global Education to encourage students to broaden their cultural boundaries and knowledge of the world.
Wheaton's new curriculum emphasizes the infusion of global perspectives, and the college has set a priority on preparing every graduate to be globally competent. To support these goals, Wheaton now offers 33 study abroad programs in 19 countries, including Argentina, Australia, Austria, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Denmark, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico, New Zealand, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Spain. Students select from a wide range of academic disciplines, become immersed in the culture of their host country, and gain unique insights into themselves and their world.
To be eligible for study abroad, students must be in good academic and social standing and must maintain an overall grade point average of 2.85. Most students elect to study abroad in their junior year, but applications from sophomores (second semester) and seniors (first semester) are considered in relation to the plan of study and preparation. Each fall, the Center for Global Education sponsors a Study Abroad Fair featuring information about Wheaton overseas partner schools and programs. Students may also take advantage of general, country-specific and major-specific information meetings, the resource library at the center, and peer advisors who, as study abroad returnees, share their knowledge with prospective study abroad students. Students submit study abroad applications to the Center for Global Education and receive advice regarding the program most appropriate to meet their academic objectives. Prior to departure, a mandatory orientation program is offered, as well as a reception to honor those selected to participate in study abroad.
In most cases, students who participate in Wheaton study abroad programs pay regular Wheaton comprehensive fees that cover most overseas fees and educational expenses. Details are outlined in specific program literature available at the Center for Global Education and on the center Web site at http://www.wheatoncollege.edu/Global/ . Airfare is covered for all Wheaton programs. Students participating in a Wheaton study abroad program may utilize their federal, state, merit and need-based aid while abroad.
Wheaton faculty members serve as resident directors in the two most popular study abroad regions--the United Kingdom and Australia/New Zealand. Most other study abroad destinations are visited by Wheaton faculty or staff at least once per year.
Students whose academic needs cannot be met through Wheaton programs may petition to participate in an approved non-Wheaton program. Such petitions must receive strong support from the faculty advisor. Staff at the Center for Global Education will guide students through the process of identifying an appropriate non-Wheaton program.
In addition to the traditional semester and year long options, students may participate in short-term, faculty-led study abroad programs. In past years, these opportunities have included field research in tropical biology in Belize and Costa Rica, sociology in Cambodia and Vietnam, and elementary education/English literature in England.