Study Abroad

After studying abroad, most students never view their education in the same way again. Students return home with a greater vigor for academic pursuits and a renewed interest in lifelong learning, one of the most important aspects of a liberal arts education.

Cultural and intercultural competency is an important part of the Wartburg educational experience. Wartburg offers many ways to immerse yourself in other cultures. The Study Abroad Office helps students discover these opportunities.

Here are a few more reasons to study abroad:

Launch your career through internships abroad. They are a great way to experience local culture in the workplace and improve language skills.
Studying abroad helps participants understand their own culture and biases better.
Students who study abroad make life-long friends, both international and from the U.S. These same individuals are more likely to seek out a greater diversity of friends long after their study abroad experiences are over.
Students who study abroad have a greater confidence in themselves, both professionally and personally.

Questions about Study Away Programs?
Contact Kathleen Sihler at kathleen.sihler@wartburg.edu or 319-352-8427.

Connect with Us:

Study Abroad Application: Due Jan. 15

Faculty Reference

Please note the student application includes a 250-500 word essay.

Term Study Abroad

Considerations

Some students arrive at college with a study abroad vision clearly set in their minds. For others, the idea develops, suggested by a supportive faculty member or sparked by some new academic interest or curiosity. Either way, consider these topics as you explore the possibilities.

Academic needs to meet major/minor/graduation requirements
Second language skill or interest
Intercultural and personal goals
Financial resources
Wellness – physical and/or emotional
Identity – sexual orientation, race, ethnicity, gender, religion, individual with a disability
Interest in internships or volunteering
Any other important priorities

Eligibility

Wartburg Study Abroad is a one-term academic and intercultural opportunity open to students from any major/minor. While the application process is competitive, the goal is to support as many qualified applicants as possible. Eligibility requirements include:

2.5 minimum GPA
Advance planning discussions with the Study Away Coordinator
Study abroad application, including a reflective essay
Faculty reference
Formal interview with Study Away Coordinator

Timeline

You begin the application process during the fall semester of the academic year before your planned study abroad year and complete the application process by the annual January 15 deadline. Most students apply during their second or third year.

September

Familiarize yourself with this website.
Start the conversation with your adviser(s) – discuss how study abroad could fit with your academic interests, requirements, and priorities, as well as your personal and cultural curiosities.

October

Schedule an initial appointment with Kathleen Sihler, Study Away Coordinator, to talk about your interest, program options, selection process, financial obligations, concerns, and questions. This may take several conversations, so start early!
Be flexible – select a first and second choice program and term, if possible, and outline an on-campus academic “Plan B” with your adviser in case study abroad plans are disrupted.

November & December

Finalize your program choices with the Study Away Coordinator.
Begin the application and contact your selected faculty member to complete the faculty reference.

January

Applications and faculty references can be submitted up until the January 15, 11:59 p.m. deadline.
Schedule your final application interview with the Study Away Coordinator once your application is submitted.

February

Applicants will receive approval decisions by the end of February.
Approved students will work closely with the Study Away Coordinator on next steps, depending on the selected term that you will be abroad.

Cost

There are three basic cost categories for Study Abroad students:

Study Abroad program fee
Each approved study abroad program has a program fee, determined by the study abroad provider. This is the “tuition” required to enroll and participate in your selected program. Wartburg Study Away pays this fee as our investment in your study abroad opportunity.
Wartburg student bill
As a full-time, enrolled student you will be billed for Wartburg tuition, student support service fees, and mandatory international travel insurance for the term you are abroad. You will not be billed for Wartburg room and board. It may be possible to place your study abroad room and board expense on your student bill, depending on the specific study abroad program. If you receive financial aid, it can be applied to expenses on your student bill, as it would if you were on campus.
Out of pocket expenses
These expenses are paid by the student and can include the study abroad provider application fee, airfare, in-country transportation, room and board, personal expenses, passport and visa fees, etc. Total estimated cost varies from program to program. The Study Away Coordinator can provide out-of-pockets estimates to help with the selection process.

Study abroad is a significant financial investment, but there are several scholarships available to help offset the cost. Read each opportunity carefully, as they all have their own eligibility requirements and deadlines.

Contact Kathleen Sihler, study away coordinator, with questions and/or for application assistance.

Wartburg Resources

Knight’s Experience
The Knight’s Experience program provides each continuously enrolled, full-time student a one-time disbursement of up to $1,500 that can be used in their second, third, or fourth year of study at Wartburg beginning in the 2024-25 academic year. Semester study abroad and May Term travel courses are both eligible for this disbursement.

Pastor Larry Trachte Thanksgiving Scholarship
These scholarships are awarded to first-generation, domestic students with high financial need who are enrolled in either study abroad or international May Term academic courses. No application is needed – recipients are selected each fall by the college’s Development and Financial Aid offices.

Wartburg College German Institute
Any Wartburg College student intending to study abroad in Germany for Fall, Winter, or May terms may apply each March and November for funding support from the college’s German Institute. Contact institute director Dr. Daniel Walther at daniel.walther@wartburg.edu for application details and deadlines.

External Resources

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
The Gilman International Scholarship is for U.S. citizens or nationals who are also Federal Pell Grant recipients as part of their federal financial aid package. There are two application cycles each year with early March and October deadlines. Awards range from $100 to $5,000. More information is available at Gilman International Scholarship.

Gilman-McCain International Scholarship
The Gilman-McCain International Scholarship is for U.S. citizens or nationals who are child or spousal dependents of active or activated U.S. military personnel and recipients of Title IV federal financial aid. There are two application cycles each year with early January and March deadlines for the $5,000 awards. More information is available at Gilman-McCain Scholarship.

Study Abroad Program Provider Scholarships
Our study abroad program providers offer a variety of scholarships based on need, merit, program location, and/or applicant’s identity group. Scholarship information, applications, and deadlines can be found on each provider’s website.

Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) Scholarship
The FEA Scholarship is for diverse U.S. citizens or permanent residents with high financial need. There are two application cycles each year with mid-January and September deadlines for awards up to $5,000. More information is available at FEA Scholarship.

Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship
The Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship is for a U.S. citizen, permanent resident, or student currently studying in the U.S. on a student visa. There are two application cycles each year with mid-April and November deadlines for the $1,000 award. More information is available at Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship.

International and Domestic Travel Policy

Learn through experience.

The Knight’s Experience provides up to $1,500 in one-time funding for all Wartburg students during their second, third, or fourth year to support an experiential learning opportunity. Qualifying programs include internships, study away, research projects, service trips, and more.

Learn About the Knight’s Experience

Wartburg is grateful to the Jack and Sarah Salzwedel family
for funding the Knight’s Experience for the 2026-27 academic year.

Ready for more?

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Country	City	Program Link
Australia	Gold Coast	USAC Gold Coast, Australia
	Melbourne	USAC Melbourne, Australia
Chile	Santiago	USAC Santiago, Chile
China	Chengdu	USAC Chengdu, China
	Shanghai	USAC Shanghai, China
Costa Rica	Heredia	USAC Heredia, Costa Rica
Czech Republic	Prague	USAC Prague, Czech Republic
England	Brighton	USAC Brighton, England
France	Lyon	USAC Lyon, France
	Pau	USAC Pau, France
	Grenoble	AIFS Grenoble, France
Germany	Berlin	FU-BEST Berlin, Germany
	Luneburg	USAC Luneburg, Germany
India	Bengaluru	USAC Bengaluru
Ireland	Cork	USAC Cork, Ireland
Italy	Reggio Emilia	USAC Reggio Emilia, Italy
	Torino	USAC Torino, Italy
	Verona	USAC Verona, Italy
	Viterbo	USAC Viterbo, Italy
Japan	Nagasaki	USAC Nagasaki, Japan
The Netherlands	The Hague	USAC The Hague, Netherlands
New Zealand	Palmerston, Auckland, Wellington	USAC New Zealand
South Africa	Stellenbosch	USAC Stellenbosch, South Africa
South Korea	Gwangju	USAC Gwangju, South Korea
	Seoul	USAC Seoul, South Korea
Spain	Alicante	USAC Alicante, Spain
	Bilbao	USAC Bilbao, Spain
	Madrid	USAC Madrid, Spain
	San Sebastian	USAC San Sebastian, Spain
	Granada	AIFS Granada, Spain
	Seville	AIFS Seville, Spain
Sweden	Vaxjo/Kalmar	USAC Vaxjo-Kalmar, Sweden
Thailand	Chiang Mai	USAC Chiang Mai, Thailand
	Khon Kaen	USAC Khon Kaen, Thailand
Uruguay	Montevideo	USAC Montevideo, Uruguay
Vietnam	Da Nang	USAC Da Nang, Vietnam

Country	City	Program Link
Costa Rica	Heredia	USAC Heredia, Costa Rica
Chile	Santiago	USAC Santiago, Chile
Spain	Alicante	USAC Alicante, Spain
	Bilbao	USAC Bilbao, Spain
	San Sebastian	USAC San Sebastian, Spain
	Seville	AIFS Seville, Spain
	Oviedo	Oviedo, Spain (PDF)
Uruguay	Montevideo	USAC Montevideo, Uruguay

Country	City	Program Link
Germany	Berlin	FU-BEST Berlin, Germany
	Luneburg	USAC Luneburg, Germany