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Why you should participate in a Global Education program

Global Education programs provide an opportunity for you to develop a valuable skill set and have experiences that differentiate you from your classmates by:

  • Improving your cross cultural skills for effective communication across diverse populations
  • Enhancing your resume and portfolio with new experiences abroad
  • Develop different sociological viewpoints and global perspectives
  • Understanding human behavior and its relationship to society in other countries/cultures
  • Improve communication skills enhance language skills in non-English speaking countries

Planning Your Program

With advance planning, you should be able to easily fit a Global Education program within your four years at ASU. A brief timeline of possible planning for a program abroad follows:

Year Term Recommended Student Action
Year 1 Spring

Begin thinking of Global Education possibilities such as exploring locations of interest

Year 2 Fall/Spring/Summer

Identify a Global Education program focused on your interests and needs

  • Meet with an Academic Advisor to discuss your interests
  • Consider possible scholarships, grants, and other funding opportunities - Plan ahead!
  • Visit The Futures Center in Armstrong Hall to investigate careers and/or graduate schools that may be enhanced through a Global Education program.
Year 3

Optimal year to participate in a Global Education program
Fall - Spring

Decide on programs of interest, and follow up with the Global Education Office

  • Many popular summer programs will be full by December - So apply early!
  • Know the deadlines for any programs you may be interested in (when the application goes live, etc.)
  • Know which courses you will receive credit for as part of your Global Education program
  • Complete a fall or spring Global Education program
Summer Complete a summer Global Education program
Year 4 Fall - Spring Meet with an Academic Advisor to verify applicable Global Education course credit has been received

Advice from the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics

Typically, Global Education courses are best applied directly toward your upper division (300 or 400-level) general electives. Focus on taking your specific major and general studies requirements first at ASU and wait to take your general electives. This will free up general electives for your Global Education experience.

Meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss how Global Education credits will apply toward your degree.

Advice from the Global Education Office

  • Be sure to view the list of recommended steps for getting started on your study abroad journey.
  • Attend a Study Abroad 101 info session to get all the basic information from a GEO Student Recruiter on program types, eligibility, housing, finances, searching for and choosing a program and the application process.
  • Attend a Financing Your Global Education Program workshop to get information on program fees and deadlines, how financial aid can apply to Global Education programs, how to utilize community-based funding and tips on finding and applying for Global Education scholarships.

How to make an appointment

Key questions to ask

  • What are my remaining degree requirements?
  • How many upper-division credits do I still need to complete for my degree?
  • How many elective credits (lower vs. upper division) do I have left to complete my major?
  • What remaining prerequisites must I fulfill, and how will a Global Education program impact my progress?
  • Which of my remaining degree requirements could I complete abroad?  Are there any that I cannot take abroad?
  • Can I receive academic credit for an internship abroad?
  • Are there any in-residence requirements I need to be aware of before I go abroad?

Meeting with a Peer Advisor

Peer Advisors are ASU students who have studied abroad on various types of programs and who are here to help you get started on a journey of your own! They are prepared to help you understand the different types of programs offered, narrow down your program options, guide you on the application process, discuss program costs, and speak about student life abroad.

Meeting with an International Coordinator

Your International Coordinator can answer your questions about specific programs, talk you through the application process and can help you find funding resources for your particular program on the Global Education Office website. Your International Coordinator is happy to meet with you to answer your questions and they would be glad to schedule meetings in person, by phone, or via Zoom.

  • Find the name of your International Coordinator listed on the Global Education Office webpage for your program of interest.
  • Schedule an appointment online. Click on the International Coordinator name for your program of interest and follow the prompts to schedule your appointment.

Key questions to ask the Global Education Office

  • What are the eligibility requirements for my program(s) or interest?
  • What is involved in the application for my program(s) of interest? Is admission to the program competitive?
  • How will I get ASU credit and grades for the courses I take abroad?
  • What courses are available on my program? How can I get courses approved for my program(s) of interest?
  • What is the cost of participating in my program(s) of interest? What do I need to consider in preparing an estimated budget for my program(s) of interest, and what expenses do I need to plan for upfront?
  • Where can I find more information about scholarships for Global Education programs?

Pursuing a global experience is an investment in your future. Like any other type of investment, it requires careful planning and management. However, the personal, academic, and professional rewards that you will gain from this experience will last a lifetime. You should carefully consider costs, budgets, and financing when selecting and preparing for your global experience.

Review Cost Sheet

You can find a Cost Sheet for your program on the Cost Info tab of the Global Education Office webpage for your program. The Cost Sheet will highlight the costs that are billed to your student account as well as additional estimated costs that are not billed to your student account but that you might expect to spend while participating. Be sure to note what expenses are included in the fees charged by the Global Education Office, and remember to budget additional money for airfare, passport and visa fees and personal expenses as needed since these are not included in any Program Fee.

Research Funding

Once you have reviewed the Cost Sheet for your program and are aware of the costs you might expect to spend on your program, you can begin to make a plan for financing your global education program. You can receive funding for your program through financial aid, scholarships and grants, and community-based fundraising efforts. We encourage you to:

  1. Speak to Financial Aid and Scholarship Services (FASS) about financial aid;
  2. Use our Scholarships and Grants page to search for general global education scholarships and scholarships that are unique to your program;
  3. Read the Community-Based Funding Guide for creative ways that past ASU students have funded their programs.

Financial Aid

We encourage you to speak to a Financial Aid Counselor, who can help you figure out how your financial aid might be applied to your global education program. Be sure to seek answers to the following questions from a Financial Aid Counselor:

  • How do loans work for my global education program? What kinds of aid/loans do I currently receive, and are there any restrictions on this aid if I participate on a GEO program?
  • Have I reached the maximum of (insert name of) loan allowed per academic year?
  • When will funds be released for my semester of participation?
  • How will additional scholarships impact my ASU financial aid?

Attend Financing Workshop

Would you like help learning about your financing options? We offer Financing Your Global Education Program Workshops through Fall and Spring semesters. Join us to learn how to finance your global education program through financial aid, scholarships and grants, and community-based funding.

Helpful Links

Recommended Programs

Although Sociology majors can participate in any ASU Global Education program, the T. Denny Sanford School of Social and Family Dynamics recommends the following programs:

  • Program type: Faculty-Directed
    Available terms: Summer
    Country: Spain
    View Pre-Approved Courses
    Learn more
  • Program type: Faculty-Directed
    Available terms: Summer
    Country: Ireland
    View Pre-Approved Courses
    Learn more
  • Program type: Faculty Directed
    Available terms: Summer
    Country: Finland
    View Pre-Approved Courses
    Learn more
  • Program type: Partnership
    Available terms: Fall, Spring
    Country:
    View Pre-Approved Courses
    Learn more
  • Program type: Partnership
    Available terms: Fall, Spring
    Country: Costa Rica
    View Pre-Approved Courses
    Learn more
  • Program type: Partnership
    Available terms: Fall, Spring
    Country:
    View Pre-Approved Courses
    Learn more
  • Program type: Global Intensive Experience
    Available terms: Post-Spring
    Country: Guatemala
    View Pre-Approved Courses
    Learn more
  • Program type: Exchange
    Available terms: Academic Year, Spring Semester
    Country: United Kingdom
    View Pre-Approved Courses
    Learn more
  • Program type: Exchange
    Available terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
    Country: United Kingdom
    View Pre-Approved Courses
    Learn more
  • Program type: Exchange
    Available terms: Academic Year, Calendar Year, Fall Semester, Spring Semester
    Country: New Zealand
    View Pre-Approved Courses
    Learn more
  • Program type: Partnership
    Available terms: Academic Year, Fall, Spring
    Country: Czech Republic
    View Pre-Approved Courses
    Learn more

Key Contacts and Resources