College brings many exciting opportunities and experiences, including the ability to pursue education across the globe. Studying abroad is a way to engage in different cultures and advance one’s knowledge in a particular field. 

The Study Abroad and Exchange office offers a variety of programs of different lengths and at different times to give students the best experience. Courses are offered long-term across two semesters with partner universities and in short-term formats during spring and winter breaks. 

Assistant Director for Study Abroad Sean Binkley said studying abroad can be an experience that can broaden a student’s horizons and help make strong future connections.

“I think for many students who have maybe never left the U.S. before, it’s a great learning experience, because you get to see how people live and how things can be different and perhaps even better outside of the U.S.,” Binkley said. “And I think it can be really life-changing from that point of view.”

The process of going abroad takes time, so Binkley said he recommends students plan ahead and get started early. 

There are certain requirements a student must meet to be accepted. Students must have a baseline 2.5 GPA, be in good standing with the university and be in their sophomore or junior year by hours. Senior students can be accepted after signing a specific agreement. 

Binkley says the first step to studying abroad is scheduling a meeting to discuss country and academic program options and cost. Financial aid options are available. 

A-State has connections across the globe to help students find the place and program that best suits them. Some of the more popular locations include the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy and Spain, but students have studied in East Asia and Latin America as well. 

Reika Sakai is a junior creative media production major from Japan. She studied abroad in Düsseldorf, Germany, at Hochschule Düsseldorf University of Applied Science during the second semester of her sophomore year. She took media engineering courses and was able to work on virtual reality projects like Antimonument Extended. 

Sakai said studying abroad was a fresh and unique experience that taught her things she couldn’t have learned by herself or without going abroad.

“I got to interact with a lot of international students there, too. I got to know people from Greece, Italy, Portugal, Ukraine and France. I didn’t expect that either, and it was so fun.” Sakai said. “Every day was so productive, and I got to talk to so many people and experience so many things.”

A vital aspect of traveling out of the country, in any scenario, is obtaining a passport. 

This can be a long process, but the Office of Study Abroad and Exchange offers passport events to help students. Students can also enter drawings for a chance to have their passport expenses paid for.

Ashley Kercheval, a junior exercise science major from Jonesboro, said she has heard of the study abroad options available and thinks it’s a good opportunity for students. 

“I have considered (going abroad), but then I have decided against it, because I go on mission trips overseas during the summer anyway,” Kercheval said. “I know from a friend that the culture shock is insane, and it really forces you to learn the language people are speaking.”  
For more information, contact Sean Binkley at sbinkley@astate.edu or visit the Office of Study Abroad in the International Programs office.

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