WHEN should you study abroad?

Students have the option to study abroad during their fall, winter, spring, or summer quarters. Typically, study abroad programs offer semester-long options; which either start in August and end in December or start in January and end in May. Some programs also offer year-long programs which Cal Poly students have successfully participated in. Although it is popular for Orfalea students to study abroad in Fall of their junior year, we would encourage you to consider going earlier or in Spring of your Junior year to avoid missing our main recruitment period for internships. 

The “best” time will be different for every student; this will depend on your academic progress and the types of courses you want to take abroad. We recommend beginning your planning early (as early as your first year), and saving the following GE areas, which can be easily found abroad: C1, C2, C3, C4, C Elective, D2, D3, D5.  You won’t necessarily take all of these GEs abroad, but the more flexibility you have, the better.  You are eligible to study abroad as early as your 2nd year.  

RECOMMENDED:

• Fall of Sophomore Year
• Winter/Spring of Sophomore Year
• Winter/Spring of Junior Year

 

PROS & CONS Time Pros Cons 1st year Summer Get ahead in classes Do not miss recruiting season Most classes open to potentially take abroad Shorter summer programs Less accustomed to collegiate lifestyle Some programs require junior standing 2nd year Fall Our most recommended quarter to study abroad More classes open to potentially take abroad Do not miss recruiting season for third year internship Less accustomed to collegiate lifestyle Some programs require junior standing 2nd year Winter/Spring Do not miss recruiting season for third year internship Can stay abroad for a longer period of time Travel during the summer before school starts Complete an internship abroad after your program Can get behind on degree progress Some Programs require junior standing 2nd year Summer Opportunity to get ahead in units Miss possible internship 3rd year Fall More accustomed to collegiate lifestyle Declared in concentration area – can take concentration courses Miss fall recruiting season Less classes to potentially take abroad due to concentration being declared and degree progress 3rd year Winter/Spring Stay abroad for a longer period of time Travel during the summer before school starts Complete an internship abroad after your program Planning required to find enough courses to meet requirements and complete enough units Less classes to potentially take abroad due to concentration being declared and degree progress

 

Things to consider when choosing when to study abroad:

• Summer and Fall are the most popular quarters to go abroad because of the number of units you are able to take to stay on track at Cal Poly.
• If you are interested in studying abroad in Winter, Spring, or for a full year, make sure to make an appointment with the Orfalea Peer Advising Team to ensure you can enroll in enough units to make academic progress.

Full Academic Year:

• Students are often reluctant to consider going abroad for a full year because they worry they will miss out on time here with their friends. The most common sentiment we hear from students who return after one semester is that they wish they had gone abroad for longer. Studies show that the longer a student studies abroad, the more integrated in the culture they become, and the more impactful their experience is. Some of our year long programs offer extensive business curriculum, internships, state and federal financial aid, and are comparable cost wise to studying at Cal Poly for one year. Additionally, you will make plenty of lifelong friends abroad and your Cal Poly friends will be here when you return, so definitely consider it.

Spring Semester (January – May/June):

• Students often worry about going abroad for Spring Semester because it spans both winter and spring quarters here at Cal Poly. The common concern is that you won’t be able to take enough units to make academic progress. In a typical Spring Semester program, you would take between 12 – 15 semester units, or 18 – 22.5 quarter units (4– 5 Cal Poly Classes). However, if you do an “early start program,” you would take between 18 – 21 semester units, or 27 – 31.5 quarter units (roughly 7 – 8 Cal Poly classes). This would essentially look like two quarters at 12 units and 16 units, or two quarters at 16 units. This requires a little bit of planning but is easily manageable if your program offers early start options.

WHERE should you study abroad?

Cal Poly’s affiliated study abroad programs have a variety of diverse locations that students can study at. Orfalea students have typically studied abroad in Europe; however, it has become increasingly popular in our college to study in Southeast Asia, Africa, South or Central America, or Australia/New Zealand. We encourage students to pick a location that will allow them to gain a unique cultural perspective and get them out of their comfort zone.

GE COURSES

• Common GE’s you can take abroad:
  • C1, C2, C-Elective Lower Division, Upper Division C
  • Upper Division D
  • GE Elective (C or D)
• Many language classes are pre-approved for area C2 or C-Elective Lower Division
• If the class you want to take is not listed on the GE Pre-Approved List, you must schedule an appointment with the International Center to complete a course substitution.

HOW should you finance your trip?

To view the extensive list of available scholarships offered through the International Center, please visit abroad.calpoly.edu under “Financial Aid & Scholarship.” Read through the information thoroughly and check what types of Financial Aid and scholarships are available for the program you are considering.  The International Center staff and Financial Aid office can help get you on the right track once you pick a program and determine your Financial Aid eligibility.

PRO TIPS:

• Review the Fund Your Study Abroad Experience PDF below
• Complete the FAFSA by the March 2nd deadline prior to the year you go abroad
• Review the list of scholarships and choose 3 – 5 you want to apply for
• Total cost varies widely depending on program, location, and length. Although many programs are pricey, there are plenty of programs that are comparable to or less than the cost of going to Cal Poly. Make sure to do your homework!

If you are planning to go abroad in summer, remember that Summer Financial Aid is limited to your remaining eligibility from the prior year

Internships Abroad:

Students have the option to do an internship abroad through multiple Cal Poly Affiliated Programs and Non-Affiliated Programs. Programs that offer internships typically help students with placement opportunities, housing, and group excursions or activities. Summer is the most popular time to complete an internship and students often take one or two classes at the same time. Doing an internship abroad during the summer between your second and third year is a great opportunity to gain experience that you can use to find a domestic internship between your third and fourth year.

FAQs:

1. When should I plan to study abroad?

The Orfalea College of Business Advising Center recommends that students study abroad during Summer or Fall quarter. This is due to the fact that most study abroad programs are on the semester system. Students who study abroad in the Fall on a semester program will only miss the Fall quarter here at Cal Poly. If a student wishes to study abroad on a Spring program, they will miss both the Winter and Spring quarters here at Cal Poly. Moreover, If students plan to go abroad for more than one quarter, they should plan at least nine months in advance and plan on selecting a program that offers both major, GE courses and/or minor courses.

2. How many courses should I take?

Most students take 3-4 courses that will count towards their degree requirements while studying abroad. Cal Poly does not require students to do a minimum amount of units abroad however, some study abroad programs/school/financial aid policies many require a minimum.  Students should always consult with their program/school.

3. What courses should I take?

In general, students are advised to take Education courses (Area Cs and Ds), Upper Division ECON, the International Business requirement, and courses from the College of Business Pre-Approved Study Abroad list. The Pre-approved Study Abroad List is a list of courses OCOB students have taken abroad and what they counted for at Cal Poly.  This list is quite extensive and can be found on the OCOB Advising website . If courses students wish to take are listed on the Pre-Approved Study Abroad list, with the EXACT same course description, they do not need to submit a course substitution petition. If students have a lot of free electives, they can apply their study abroad courses as general free electives rather than actual course requirements.

4. Am I eligible for any scholarships and/or financial aid?

We recommend meeting with advisor in the International Center to discuss financial aid opportunities. You can also visit the Study Abroad Financing resources website here.

5. What is the first step or when can I meet with an advisor?

The first step is to attend a General Study Abroad 101 Workshop. Locations, times, and dates can be found here.

After that, you can go to the International Center to speak with a Study Abroad Advisor. They are located in Building 52, Room E32 and can be contacted via phone at (805) 756-1477 or email at abroad@calpoly.edu.

Once you have finalized your program, the term, and the location, schedule an appointment with an Orfalea Study Abroad Peer Advisor to discuss major, concentration, or support course options. You can schedule an appointment with them via email at cobadvis@calpoly.edu or by phone at (805) 756-2601.