Study Abroad
Are you ready for an international experience?
We’re pleased that you’re interested in studying abroad. These pages will help you understand the types of programs Grand View University offers and give you information to help prepare for the experience.
Learning another culture, in another country, helps you appreciate and marvel at the diversity of the world – and may help you discover how very similar cultures actually are. It’s also a lot of fun!
Why should you study abroad??
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Being immersed in a culture different from your own helps you become more culturally aware and well rounded. You can globalize your degree.
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You can appreciate your own culture and learn more about yourself.
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You can travel to unique and interesting places.
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You can improve your language skills.
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You may make new friends around the world.
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You can have the experience of a lifetime and an impressive one! Employers want employees who are open to new challenges, motivated and eager to learn and who have a global experience.
For lots more information about studying abroad, please go to the links below. You'll find out about all the options available to you, tips on financing your international experience, travel insurance, visas, and health information, as well as a variety of useful resources.
For more information, please contact Susie Cook at 515-263-6178 or scook@grandview.edu.
What GV Offers: 2012 Opportunities
2012 OPPORTUNITIES (printable brochure)
At Grand View you have options ranging from short-term faculty sponsored trips and summer programs to semester or year-long programs. Education students may be able to student teach abroad depending on the country. Please contact the Education Department at least a year in advance to investigate this possibility.
Faculty-sponsored trips (usually short duration, about 2 weeks)
Faculty-sponsored short-term trips are usually during spring break or May term. These trips may vary as to exact dates and locations yearly. For specific information please click here to download the current brochure. The individual faculty sponsors also have a wealth of information about the trips. It’s wise to plan ahead to participate in these learning opportunities.
Semester or year-long study abroad options
You can study in almost any country in the world. It’s your decision, based on your wants and interest. Learn more about this option.
Study in Denmark for the summer, a semester, or a year!
Grand View is a partner with the Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS). Students have the opportunity to study in Denmark for a summer term, a semester or a full year. For more information visit the DIS website at www.dis.dk.
Grand View also partners with Central College and Butler University’s study abroad programs. Students can take part in these programs by qualifying at Grand View. For more specific information go to www.central.edu/abroad or www.ifsa-butler.org.
You can also work with other colleges and universities to design a study abroad experience that meets your course of study, interests and budget. Please contact Susie Cook at scook@grandview.edu to set an appointment to discuss your options.
Travel Information
Students are encouraged to use these resources to prepare for their study abroad programs.
Passport Information
All students studying outside of the United States need a valid passport. The passport needs to be valid for 6 months after the planned return from the experience. The routine processing time for a passport is approximately 4-6 weeks from the time of application. This time varies depending on demand. It’s wise to initiate the process of obtaining a passport early in your trip planning. Students who have valid passports from other countries should check into visa requirements of the country they are planning to visit. For passport information, please click here http://travel.state.gov/passport/passport_1738.html.
Student Visas
If you are planning on studying abroad for a semester or longer, you may need to investigate obtaining a student visa. The DIS, Central College and Butler study abroad programs can help you get a student visa. For other options, it’s important that you investigate the need for a student visa at the time you’re arranging to do a semester or year of study abroad. Many consulates, for instance, now require that students appear in person to apply for their visa. Some students even take these visa requirements into consideration when choosing the country where they want to go when spending a summer, semester, or year abroad. For information on entry requirements for a specific country, please go to the Entry/Exit Requirements section in the Country Specific Information pages on the U.S. Department of State website at: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_1765.html
Health Information
Depending on the country you plan to visit, immunizations and health concerns may be an issue. The following sites are helpful in giving country specific information:
Other Resources
These websites may be helpful to you as you plan your trip.
Information about specific countries
If you want specific information about a country, there are many internet sites. One that has basic information is http://www.worldtraveltips.net/. You will need to specify the area of the world or a country.
You can also access World Fact book:
http://www.worldtraveltips.net. This site gives you more detailed information.
Financing the Trip
Financial Aid
Financial aid may be available to help fund study abroad opportunities. Be sure to check directly with Grand View’s financial aid office to determine what aid you are entitled to for an international trip.
Business Office Savings Account
Grand View’s business office provides you with the opportunity to save for your future trip by signing up for a trip savings account. If you are a student working on campus, you can designate a portion of your income to be deposited into your trip account. If available, you may also designate your excess financial aid funds to be deposited into this account. Finally, you or your family can make deposits throughout the years that will be added to your trip account and held for your use. These funds will be retained in an account and can only be used as payment on your future trip. If at any point you decide that you no longer wish to participate in a future trip, the funds will be returned to you and/or the individual payors upon written request. For additional information, or to sign up for a trip savings account, contact the Business Office staff or visit the business office web page on myView under Finances > Business Office.
Insurance
It’s important that travelers check with their health care providers to make sure they have coverage in the specific countries where they will be traveling. Some of the semester abroad programs do include health care insurance, so please contact the program directly.
As part of the short term trips, participants pay for emergency medical and travel insurance. This is NOT trip cancellation insurance. For more information go to www.aceExecutiveAssistance.com. You can download a summary of their services here.
Grand View does not provide trip cancellation insurance. We do strongly urge participants to obtain their own cancellation insurance. One option is at www.insuremytrip.com. If you enter the information on the right hand side on the site you will get quotes. Check the "per traveler" box and put in your age, etc.
Quick Reference Guide
Thinking about it? Here's a quick reference guide to help you decide.
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