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.

Wartburg College Study Away offers a geographically, culturally, and academically diverse selection of study abroad programs suited to a broad range of academic majors. Review the “Before You Apply” guidance and then explore the options below.

Program availability is subject to change due to various factors.

The list of approved programs is subject to change.  Please contact the Study Away Office with any questions.

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 fund 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.

Vaccination Requirement for Domestic and International Travel
For the 2024-25 academic year the college strongly encourages but does not require participants in college-sponsored domestic and international travel to be up-to-date with COVID-19 vaccines before they travel, per CDC guidance. Participants will need to follow host organization and/or host country COVID-19 related guidelines, which may differ from the college’s travel policy.

International Travel Specifics
The Study Away Office will monitor appropriate U.S., international, professional, and host-country resources for such differences and update participants as needed.

International participants will be supported by the college’s required international travel insurance policy which includes a $2,000 benefit for reasonable expenses related to mandatory quarantine issued by host-country government authorities. Participants will need to rely on their personal medical insurance to cover any health care expenses they incur while in the U.S.

Domestic Travel Specifics
Domestic travel leaders will monitor host organization/institutions for such differences and update participants as needed. 

Domestic participants will need to rely on their personal U.S. medical insurance to cover any health care expenses they incur during travel. If an uninsured student participant is interested in purchasing medical insurance they may contact Stephanie Newsom, director of counseling services and medical liaison for more information. 

For more detailed information on the international travel insurance policy, please contact Study Away Coordinator Kathleen Sihler at kathleen.sihler@wartburg.edu.