Students may participate in credit-bearing academic experiences worldwide on an affiliated exchange at a partner university or with a non-affiliated study abroad program.
Planning, Application, and Registration for an Academic Experience Abroad
Please Note: Students should be registered for ILEA 4400 by the Add Deadline of their Discovery Semester. Any student who has not registered is at risk of disenrollment after the fifth week of that term.
Options
Program Format
Affiliated exchange programs offer RPI students the opportunity to take classes at partner universities worldwide. An exchange experience allows integration into the host institution while studying alongside host-country peers and other international students. Exchanges often require a great deal of student independence and initiative.
Finances
Students pay RPI tuition and are eligible for all regular aid.
Credit
Students may transfer credits towards major, minor, and elective requirements subject to course evaluation and approval.
Program Format
Non-affiliated study abroad is a good option for students whose academic needs or personal interests are not met by the existing exchanges. Non-affiliated study abroad includes programs offered by other U.S. institutions, experiences offered by study abroad program providers, or direct enrollment with a university abroad. Many non-affiliated programs offer a high level of student support.
Finances
Students pay the program provider directly and are not eligible for RPI aid. Students may use federal loans
Credit
Up to sixteen credits from non-affiliated study abroad may be transferred towards the RPI degree, subject course evaluation and approval. Only 2 classes/8 credits can be transferred within the last 30 credits of RPI degree completion. Students may take major, minor, or elective classes while abroad.
Students are expected to remain enrolled full time for the equivalent of at least 12 credits during the fall or spring semesters. Most summer programs offer between 3-9 credits. For short-term summer study abroad and exchange experiences that offer fewer than 6 credits, student experiences outside of the classroom are a critical component of the Discovery Semester.
There is no mandatory LMS course for an academic experience abroad. The ILEA grade is based on satisfactory completion of coursework abroad.
Search for an Opportunity
Education Abroad will support students in their search for an academic experience abroad. Visit the Education Abroad application portal, here, for a list of current opportunities.
Process to Register an International Experience
International Discovery Semester experiences must be approved by Education Abroad. Students apply for most programs one semester in advance. Visit the Education Abroad website for more information.
Office Contact for Questions and Guidance
Education Abroad, International Services for Students and Scholars
- Karen Dvorak, Education Abroad Program Manager
Center for Career and Professional Development (CCPD)
- Dawn Cairns-Weaver, Associate Director, Experiential Learning & Cooperative Education
- Emily Nicholson, Assistant Director, Cooperative Education
- Stephanie Perry, Program Coordinator, Experiential Learning & Cooperative Education
- Nicole Doran, Assistant Director, Experiential Learning
