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Are you interested in exploring graduate program opportunities outside of the US? This is becoming an increasingly popular option, particularly for students who have had an experience abroad as an undergraduate and want to go abroad again for a longer period of time.
There are many programs around the world that are interested in including US students in their programs and various funding sources available to help with costs.
Some of the benefits to doing graduate work abroad include:
- Program durations may be shorter than equivalent US programs; many MA or MS programs take as little as 18 months when students are enrolled full time.
- Many countries allow students enrolled in a degree program to work part-time, such as the United Kingdom and Australia.
- Many foreign institutions have a US federal FAFSA number and can process US federal aid including Stafford Loans for graduate students (inquire with individual universities).
- The perspective of studying an academic discipline in the context of another academic system and culture can be beneficial.
- Particularly for students interested in a discipline with an international or language focus, such as international business, the international degree will have professional advantages.
- The length of the program and nature of graduate work often offer a unique cultural immersion opportunity.
- Graduate programs offer all of the benefits and experiences of living abroad.
Some of the important factors to consider before committing include:
- Degree recognition in the US or the country in which you intend to establish a career: Professions such as law, medicine, or education may have specific curricular or licensure requirements that prohibit their international equivalencies from being recognized for careers in the United States.
- Academic “style” of the program: US degree programs tend to be coursework based, while many programs in other countries may be purely research based and therefore dramatically different than the student is used to.
- Application logistics: Since there are relatively few “programs” that administrate or assist students with the application process, the logistics may be more challenging and students need to be prepared to navigate the application and matriculation process independently.
- Language proficiency: Degrees in non-English speaking cultures will likely require a high level of proficiency, as graduate programs are not usually designed for non-native speakers.
- Funding: Many schools abroad have federal FAFSA codes and you can use US federal financial aid to help you fund your overseas program. To do a search of schools and their codes check the FAFSA website (Federal School Code Search). Make sure to also check with the program that you are applying to see if they offer additional sources of funding such as fellowships or assistantships for international graduate students.
So how do I begin to explore opportunities?
- Have a discussion with
an academic advisor, faculty member, or a career counselor related to
your area of interest to make sure the degree you are interested in
will be beneficial to you in your long term plans.
- Begin to identify appropriate universities that offer the degree program you are interested in. Helpful resources are listed below.
Program Providers for Graduate Degrees Abroad
Australearn: The North American Center for Australian Universities
Australearn helps facilitate your application to several Australian universities, guides you through each step of the process, provides academic counseling, assists with student visa processing, assists with financial aid, offers discount student air tickets, provides a pre-trip orientation excursion in Australia, and provides pre-departure orientation materials.
New York University
www.nyu.edu/studyabroad/graduate
The Graduate School of Arts and Science of New York University offers
a program leading to the Master of Arts and Doctor of Philosophy Degrees
in French literature and a Master of Arts degree in French language and
civilization in Paris.
NYU also offers a Master of Arts degree in Hispanic literature and a Master of Arts degree in Hispanic culture in Madrid. Graduate students wishing to pursue their M.A. in Madrid during the academic year may complete their course work in two semesters.
Syracuse University Division of International
Programs Abroad (DIPA)
www.sumweb.syr.edu/dipa
SU offers two M.A. degree programs in Florence in fine arts and
architecture.
General Resources for Direct Enrollment
Center for International Studies (CIS)
http://www.degreesabroad-cis.com/
Provides resources and guidance for students pursuing graduate programs in Australia, England, Ireland, New Zealand, Scotland, and Switzerland.
Degree Abroad.com
http://www.degreeabroad.com/search.cfm
Database search of graduate degree programs worldwide.
Study in Europe
Database search and resources for graduate study in various countries in Europe.
Country Specific Resources for Graduate Degrees Abroad
Australian Government Education Portal
http://www.education.gov.au/goved/go/pid/10
This site is a comprehensive source of information on Federation
Scholarships, Australian student visas, graduate degree study, pre-departure
information and more.
The British Council
http://www.britishcouncil.org/usa-educationuk.htm
This section of the British Council’s Web site is dedicated to information
on graduate opportunities and information for applying to a program in
the United Kingdom. Services include a single application available for
submission to any participating UK university.
The Canadian Bureau for International
Education
www.cbie.ca
The Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE) is Canada's national
organization dedicated exclusively to international education. CBIE's
membership is composed of 110 colleges and universities across Canada,
as well as corporate partners, non-governmental organizations, government
agencies and individuals.
DAAD (Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst)
German Academic Exchange Service
www.daad.org
The “Deutscher Akademischer Austauschdienst" is a private,
publicly funded, self-governing organization of higher education
institutions in Germany. This page is designed for the US and Canadian
clientele. It provides a number of links to the Web pages of DAAD’s
main office in Bonn, which contain a lot more general information
on studying in Germany as well as another programs and initiatives.
Centre
for International University Cooperation, Norwegian Council for Higher Education
(SIU)
www.siu.no
The Centre for International University Cooperation is the international
section of the Norwegian Council of Higher Education. The Centre manages
international cooperative programs within research and education, and
supports joint action among Norwegian universities and colleges on issues
of internationalization. The site includes a catalogue of International
Master's Degree Programs offered by Norwegian Universities and University
Colleges.
Japan Student Services Organization (JASSO)
http://www.jasso.go.jp/study_j/index_e.html
The JASSO website provides information and resources for individuals interested in studying in Japan.
Study in Holland
Provides comprehensive information about graduate degree programs in Holland.
Study in India
http://www.ugc.ac.in/studyindia/
Database search and resources for graduate study in India.
Last modified on July 2, 2008 |