As you consider applying
for study abroad through Wartburg, you may want to be aware of the application
procedures and requirements. Acceptance into Wartburg’s study
abroad program, called Venture Education, is on a competitive basis.
Each year the Global and Multicultural Studies (GMCS) program, similar
to the Wartburg West program, accepts a limited number of qualified
students. At the current time, approximately 25-30 students study abroad
annually, some language majors for a year, but the majority of students
for a semester.
Through the application process we will
be attempting to determine whether you meet the requirements for study
abroad, and to what extent you have demonstrated the characteristics
necessary to be a successful study abroad student. These characteristics
are based on years of working with study abroad students, and while
they do not guarantee success, they do provide a guideline for determining
who is most likely to thrive in a study abroad environment.
Study
Abroad Applicant Profile:
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Will be a junior or
senior at time of study abroad departure. |
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Has a minimum GPA 2.5/4.0; may need
3.0 to qualify for certain programs and sites. GPA requirement must
be achieved by Feb. 1 application deadline. |
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Has decided on a Wartburg-approved
study abroad site by the time of application and has basic knowledge
of program, location, and culture. |
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Has chosen a study abroad experience
that clearly connects with applicant’s academic goals and
can articulate this connection. |
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Has met with academic adviser(s)
and has a clear picture of the impact study abroad will have on
ability to complete intended academic programs for on-time graduation. |
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Has a realistic understanding of
challenges study abroad poses - academically, physically, financially,
and emotionally. |
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Where applicable, has necessary
language skills to study at a university level in intended country. |
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Has discussed study abroad intentions
with appropriate family members and they are supportive of application. |
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Has demonstrated a readiness and
maturity for study abroad through academic and co-curricular involvement
at Wartburg. |
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Has a genuine interest and involvement
in cross-cultural issues, events, and relationships. |
Financial
Aid:
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Financial Aid packages
and scholarships (except Work-Study awards, Tuition Exchange, International
Scholarships and the Meistersinger Scholarship) can be applied to
most semester and year-long travel programs in the USA and other
countries. Please be aware that each program may have different
guidlines regarding financial aid. Contact the Financial Aid Office
before your trip. |
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Short-term loans are available if
you need immediate monetary assistance for travel. Check with the
Controller's Office for further details. |
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Venture Education funds are available
in the form of Diers Awards to students who plan to participate
in a semester or year-long Venture Education program characterized
by a significant interaction with a designated culture. Programs
eligible for this may include service learning, language study,
and/or field research. Funded by a gift from Herman and Dorothy
Diers, for whom the Diers Programs are named and long-time advocates
for cross-cultural learning at Wartburg, the awards will be made
to students on a competitive basis. The awards will range in dollar
amount from $500 - $1000, and must be used to offset the student's
costs of participation in an approved Venture Education experience.
Eliegible study abroad programs/sites include: The Diers Programs
in Tanzania, Ghana, and Navajo Nation, Valporaiso University - China,
Partnership for Service Learning approved sites, SIT approved sites,
and the approved program for Spanish language majors in Mexico.
Applications are available in the GMCS office. The deadline for
applications is mid-April. |
Health:
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Many travel programs
require special immunizations and other health-related precautions.
Check with the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention for health-related issues in
specific countries. |
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After acceptance into the Venture
Education program you should begin to work on completing the health
form, which may require scheduling a pre-departure appointment
with your health care provide. If you are traveling to a developing
site it is strongly recommended you visit a travel health clinic.
Check with GMCS for travel health clinic information. |
Academic
Planning:
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Students studying abroad
for a semester or for the whole year must maintain full-time enrollment
wherever they're located. Full-time enrollment may include courses
at a foreign institution, arranged studies of Wartburg courses (for
example, FL 104, ID 373 and RE 373), internships, and field experiences. |
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Visit with GMCS (WBC 118) and your
academic adviser as early as possible about your interest in Venture
Education. |
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Academic credit will vary by program
and individual circumstances and is subject to approval by the student's
academic adviser and the Wartburg Registrar's Office. |
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Check early with the GMCS Office
to ensure that you have met any necessary prerequisite course requirements
or language training needed for your studies. |
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Venture Education students may not
register online for the program but must register in person in the
Registrar's Office. |
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