Go On an Adventure

Home
Get Started
Financing Study Abroad
Eligibility & FAQs
Contact Us

How to Get Started

Embarking on a study abroad adventure is an exciting opportunity to explore new places and create a special experience that matches your personal and academic goals. Think about what you want to achieve, such as getting better at a language, gaining career skills through internships, exploring unique courses, or connecting with your heritage.

Once you have your goals, there are different ways to study abroad:

You can directly enroll at a university approved by EWU for full immersion

  • Join a provider program with lots of support
  • Travel with EWU faculty for shorter programs
  • Exchange with partner universities nominated by EWU
  • Choose internships for real-world career experience

The options are diverse, and your study abroad journey is not just about the place – it’s about picking the path that best suits your goals, making your experience as special as you are.

Tips:

  • Start planning early (6–12 months ahead).
  • Stay organized and meet deadlines.
  • Communicate regularly with your advisor.
  • Apply for scholarships!

Partner Programs Faculty-Led Programs

Step 1: Start With Your Goals, Not a Place

Studying abroad begins with identifying your goals, choosing a program and location that will allow you to meet those goals, and identifying the quarter(s) you would like to and can participate in.

While it might be tempting to start your plan with a specific destination, we suggest a different approach. The first place that comes to mind may not align with what you’re hoping to gain from your study abroad experience. Instead, take a moment to consider these questions:

Do I want to improve my language abilities?

Look for intensive language programs that offer courses in the target language if you are an advanced speaker, and offer homestay options with families to increase language immersion. Think about the language variety that most matches your future communication needs and choose a program where this is the dialect/form of language you will be using.

Do I want to give myself an edge in preparing for my career?

If so, look for programs that offer an internship in place of one of the courses you will take. Consider countries that are still in development where you can truly use the skills you have learned and gain unusual insights into how other systems operate.

Do I want to add elements to my coursework that I won’t be able to gain at EWU?

If so, review the course catalog of different programs and find courses that offer something unique, valuable, and interesting to your major or minor.

Do I want to connect with a heritage language or heritage culture?

If so, look for programs that align with the language variety and cultural backgrounds relevant to your family history as well as programs that support heritage-seekers.

Consider the Global Engagement Minor

If you’re planning to study abroad, you may want to earn the Global Engagement Minor, which helps you gain valuable professional skills employers are looking for. The minor is open to students from all majors and combines study abroad with career-focused coursework. It is designed to help you connect your international experiences to your academic and professional goals.

Why Consider the Minor?

  • Build global skills for study abroad success
  • Connect international experiences to career goals
  • Develop a global mindset valued in today’s job market
  • Turn your study abroad experience into a meaningful academic credential
  • Open to students from all majors

Start with GNML 200
Students planning to study abroad in Spring, Summer, or Fall 2028 are encouraged to take GNML 200 (1 credit).

Global Awareness as Professional Preparation
Winter 2027: This pre-departure course helps students prepare academically, professionally, and personally for their study abroad experience.

Interested?
For more information about the Global Engagement Minor, contact: MLL@ewu.edu

Step 2: Explore Your Options

Start by choosing the type of program that fits you best.

Faculty-Led Programs

Travel with EWU faculty and classmates (10–14 days, highly supported).

EWU Programs

Third-Party Programs

Study abroad through partner providers (most flexible).

Partner Programs

Exchange Programs

Attend a partner university abroad available in Japan and South Korea (more independent, competitive).

Contact Us

Think About

  • Why do you want to go? Consider academic reasons, language learning, cultural experience, career preparation, etc.
  • Where do you want to go? Make sure the destination aligns with your goals.
  • When do you want to go? The Global office strongly recommends not planning to study abroad during your final quarter at EWU, as the course transfer process may delay your graduation.
  • How long do you want to be abroad? Programs can last 10-14 days, a summer, a quarter, six months, one year, etc.
  • Do you need major/minor credits or electives? Review your academic plan or Degree Works.
  • What courses should you take to stay on track for graduation? Think about courses to apply toward your major or degree and your target graduation date.

Step 3: Meet with an Advisor

Schedule a meeting with the Education Abroad office.

During your meeting, you will:

  • Talk about your goals and interests
  • Learn about program options and costs
  • Check your eligibility (GPA, etc.)
  • Review financial aid basics

Eligibility requirements:

  • Students must be at least 18 years old
  • Participants must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA
  • Freshmen are only eligible to participate in EWU Faculty-led program options
  • Students must be at least sophomore standing at the time of departure, for individual student options
  • Transfer students must complete one quarter at EWU before going abroad
  • Running start students can begin the application process for study abroad programs during their first quarter as a matriculated student. The application for the study abroad program cannot be approved until after the completion of their first quarter.
  • Good student conduct standing

Step 4: Research Programs

If you choose a third-party program:

  • Browse approved providers.
  • Filter by location, term, and courses.
  • Make a list of 3–5 programs you like.

Tip: Make sure programs offer courses that fit your academic plan!
If you choose an exchange program:

  • For the Japan programs, speak to the Japanese language professor.
  • For other exchange programs, speak to an Education Abroad Advisor.

Step 5: Apply for Your Adventure!

Apply in Two Places

  1. EWU Study Abroad Application
  2. Program provider or exchange university

Note: You can start the application process, but DO NOT pay any application fees or deposit until the EWU application process has been completed.

The EWU application typically includes:

  • Basic information
  • A short essay (1–2 pages)
  • Two recommendation references: One from EWU faculty/staff and one professional reference

Pay the $50 Processing Fee

The study abroad program requires a $50 nonrefundable processing fee. Pay the fee and keep a copy of the receipt for your paperwork submission.

Note: Each study abroad program will have its application documents for you to complete. Please make sure to pay any required application fees or deposit.

Pay the Fee

Step 6: Plan Your Finances

You can use financial aid—but you must plan ahead.

Please note: If a student is either a current financial aid recipient and/or seeking financial assistance for a study abroad (SA) experience, the first step is to talk to the financial aid office.

1. A student must have a financial aid application (FAFSA or WASFA) on file with EWU to receive any forms of federal or state financial aid. This is regardless of SA.

2. As long as the 12 EWU credits (6 credits in the summer) are degree-required (either for the major or as an elective (if the student has elective “space” in their degree), the student’s existing financial aid will be issued as normal. Aid cannot be issued in advance of term start, even if the SA starts early (for those not on faculty-led). It is also important for students to meet with their academic advisor before SA.

3. Not all students have access to additional financial aid beyond what they have already been awarded, even when considering the extra costs associated with SA. This is why a meeting with the Financial Aid Office is important. There is no special or additional financial aid simply because a student attends SA, except for certain scholarships administered through the SA Office.

4. If students have access to additional financial aid (excluding scholarships from the SA program), it will only be in the form of student or parent loans. There are no extra grant funds available for SA.

5. Students interested in pursuing loan support, provided they are eligible, should complete the costing form to account for the additional expenses related to the SA program and to apply for these loans.

6. Summer aid can be an additional term of eligibility for both federal and state grants, rather than being limited to just unused funds. Students are encouraged to meet with the Financial Aid office to discuss their financial options.

7. Submit the budget worksheet 12 weeks before your departure quarter (not date). You’ll need documentation (program cost, housing, flights, etc.)

Step 7: Get Course Approval

Before You Complete the Course Approval Form

The first step is identifying which courses you want to take abroad. Ask yourself:

  • Do I need courses for my major, minor, university graduation requirements, or electives?
    • Review your Degree Audit/Degree Works and meet with your academic advisor.
  • Am I taking courses primarily because they interest me?
    • These courses may still transfer, but they may not qualify for financial aid if they do not apply toward your degree requirements or available elective credits.
  • Am I planning to use financial aid or graduate soon?
    • If so, your course selection may be limited. In these cases, it is often better to choose programs based on the courses they offer rather than choosing a location first.

Course Approval Process (Before Departure)

Once you are accepted into a study abroad program, the Education Abroad Office will provide a Course Approval Form.

To complete the process:

  1. Identify the courses you plan to take abroad.
  2. Match those courses to EWU equivalents whenever possible.
  3. Work with the appropriate professors, academic advisors, and departments to obtain approvals.
  4. Submit all completed Course Approval Forms to the Education Abroad Office before departure.

Why This Step Is Important

Completing Course Approval Forms before you leave helps ensure your courses transfer back to EWU correctly.

Failure to complete Course Approval Forms before departure may:

  • Delay the transfer of your credits by approximately two additional months beyond the normal processing timeline.
  • Cause courses to transfer as general study abroad elective credit rather than specific EWU course equivalents.
  • In some cases, make it more difficult to apply the credits toward your degree requirements.

Important Tips

  • Start the approval process as early as possible. Faculty and departmental approvals can take time.
  • If you change courses after arriving abroad, contact the Education Abroad Office immediately to discuss updating your approvals.
  • Courses taken without prior approval may be transferred back only as general study abroad credit.

This process helps ensure your credits transfer smoothly and keeps you on track for graduation.

 

Step 8: Complete Pre-Departure Requirements

Before traveling, you must do the following:

Enroll in the ABBR Placeholder Course

For an exchange program, pay EWU tuition.

For a third-party program, pay $225 per quarter.

Submit Forms

Provide Important Info

  • Flight details
  • Passport photo page

Step 9: Return & Transfer Credits

After you complete your study abroad program, your host institution will send your official transcript to the Education Abroad Office. This process typically takes 2–3 months after the end of your program.

Once the Education Abroad Office receives your transcript, you will receive an email containing:

  • Your transcript
  • A Course Transfer Form
  • Any supporting documents needed to begin the course transfer process

Although the Education Abroad Office facilitates the process, students are ultimately responsible for completing the course transfer process.

You must:

  1. Complete the student section of the Course Transfer Form.
  2. Take the form, course syllabi, and any supporting documents to the appropriate professor(s) and/or academic advisor(s).
  3. Obtain all required signatures except the Dean’s signature.
  4. Return the completed Course Transfer Form and supporting documents to the Education Abroad Office.

If the faculty member who originally approved your Course Approval Form is unavailable, contact the Education Abroad Office for assistance.

Important Reminders

  • All courses taken abroad, including failed courses, must be transferred back to EWU.
  • If you do not submit the completed Course Transfer Form, the ABBR course will remain on your EWU transcript. Please note that EWU cannot award your degree or issue your diploma while an ABBR course remains unresolved on your transcript.

After you return the completed paperwork, the Education Abroad Office will forward the documents through the university approval process for final review and posting to your EWU transcript.

  • Transcript arrival from the host institution: 2–3 months after program completion
  • Course transfer review and approval process varies by department
  • Total course transfer timeline: up to 6 months after the completion of your study abroad program

Once the process is complete, your approved transfer credits will appear on your EWU transcript and Degree Works.

EWU Study Abroad

Patterson 345

edabroad@ewu.edu

Contact Us