• Will I receive the same quality of education?
• How will the costs compare?
• Will my scholarships and financial aid apply to my expenses?
• Approximately how much is room and board abroad?
• What happens if I take foreign languages courses instead of the cultural context courses and then don't go abroad?
• When will I need to arrive at the host university to begin my studies?
• What happens if the UW semester dates don't correspond to those abroad?
• Is there financial aid to help cover travel costs?
• Is it safe to study abroad?

A. Yes. The quality of your educational experience will be comparable to UW, but because you will be abroad you will probably derive even greater benefit. How you adapt to and experience new educational modes in your host culture is part of the experience. For instance, many of our partner universities will grade your performance based entirely on a final examination. You are responsible for regular class attendance and independent outside study to prepare for the exam.

For information on culture shock, please consider reviewing the following site: Culture Shock

A. This depends on the value of the US Dollar relative to your intended host country and the standard of living in that country. You can visit a currency exchange site like Oanda, http://www.oanda.com/convert/classic and review how the USD is doing against other world currencies. For most exchanges, the overall cost of your tuition, fees, room and board will be comparable to UW. Remember, the investment you make will bring greater benefits to you than dollar conversions can indicate - any additional costs you might encounter will be well worth it. You will definitely understand this added educational value once you have returned home and during the course of your personal and professional life.

A. Most scholarships can be used for both international exchange and international study abroad. An exchange allows students to attend a host university while paying tuition and fees to UW. Students will be charged at their usual rate for 15 credit hours plus mandatory UW fees. The study abroad option allows students to attend a host site, paying all costs to the host institution. Students with eligible scholarships will be given the same amount as if they were on the UW campus taking 15 credit hours worth of classes. The Office of Student Financial Aid works with students to meet costs that arise with international education, e.g., airfare, passport, visas.

A. This depends on the chosen host site and the value of the USD. Students who select a UW institutional exchange option can request a cost approximation worksheet from the International Programs Office. You can also download the information from the web site, http://www.uwyo.edu/intprograms/programs_exchanges.asp . Students who participate in an ISEP exchange should go to:http://www.isep.org for the requisite information. For example, ISEP room and board is calculated as if you were living on the UW campus in a double occupancy room and with an unlimited meal plan.

A. The International Engineering Program requires that students participate in an international experience (either study abroad or internship, or both) in order to substitute foreign language courses for cultural context courses. If you decide not to go abroad, then you will have to take the appropriate cultural context courses.

A. The start dates for each program differ, so you should check with the study abroad coordinator for this information. Remember, however, that all engineering students are encouraged to take an intensive language course prior to their study abroad or internship. The language course will help you refine your skills, learn how the language is used in real social contexts, and make connections with other study abroad students. An intensive course of four-six weeks duration is recommended and is available to students participating in UW's programs abroad for engineering students.

A. Academic calendars don't normally align. In general terms, if you wish to go abroad for just one semester, the UW spring semester is usually your best choice - it is easier to synchronize the Spring term abroad with the following Fall term at UW. The spring term also opens up opportunities for summer activities either abr:w oad or at home (additional study, an intensive language course, travel, etc.). If, however, you wish to both study abroad and hold an internship, you probably would do best to study during the fall semester and follow that with an internship of four-six months in the spring. In any case, you should plan to return no later than mid-August so you can begin the term at UW on time.

A. Students can work with the UW Office of Student Financial Aid in order to meet additional costs, like air-fare. Depending on the intended host site, students can also apply for supplemental scholarships. Information can be reviewed on the International Programs website: http://www.uwyo.edu/intprograms/main_scholarships.asp

A. The University of Wyoming monitors country safety with the assistance of many resources. A primary resource is the US State Department's site,http://www.uwyo.edu/intprograms/health_safety.asp
On a more personal level, students are advised before departure regarding the cultural do-s and don't-s of the host country. Avoiding risky situations, unreliable people, and crime-ridden neighborhoods in a foreign country is as much called for as in the United States. With "Avoid risky situations, unreliable people, and crime-ridden neighborhoods in a foreign country, just as you would in the United States.