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Semester Study Abroad Information
 
 
Study Abroad Options

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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