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Information
for alumni
Information
for students currently abroad
Contact the Overseas
Study Office
Frequently
Asked Questions:
Why should I study overseas?
There
are numerous benefits to studying overseas. The
benefits include the opportunity to learn about another
culture, the improvement of foreign language skills,
international work experience through academic internships,
fulfillment of major or minor coursework requirements,
experience of self-reliance abroad, development of new
intellectual pursuits, skills, and perspectives on one's
education, opportunities to travel, and learning more
about personal and family heritage.
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Do
I need to know foreign language to study abroad?
No.
The Office of Overseas Studies administers 17 programs
with no language requirement whatsoever. In addition,
many other programs have language requirements of as
few as two semesters.
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Is
there a minimum GPA required?
Yes.
The Office of Overseas Studies requires a minimum GPA
of 3.0 for all programs, with the exception of the London
School for Economics, which has a minimum GPA of 3.3.
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Is
it possible to study abroad through other programs not
offered by the University?
Yes.
To do so, students must file a request for exception
to residency through the Office of Degree Progress.
However, such exceptions are not readily granted. A
student must have a strong academic rationale and support
from his or her major department. Personal reasons and
avoidance of GPA or language requirements are not sufficient
rationale for an exception.
If
an exception to residency is granted, units received
from overseas coursework on non-USC programs may be
transferred toward a USC degree. USC financial aid will
not apply to programs not sponsored by USC, though,
and units are not guaranteed to be transferable. Also,
units transferred from non-USC programs are considered
regular transfer units and do not count toward the 64
units required to be taken while in residency at USC.
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How
much does it cost?
Programs
vary in cost, and range from significantly less than
a semester on campus to significantly more. Specific
program costs can be found on the program cost sheets.
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Can
I use financial aid to go overseas?
Yes.
All USC financial aid, including loans, grants, and
scholarships, is applicable to USC-sponsored overseas
studies programs. Financial aid packages are reevaluated
in consideration of the cost of a specific program,
and aid packages are adjusted according to the modified
cost of attendance. In cases where the semester overseas
is projected to be less expensive than an on-campus
semester, the estimated family contribution (EFC) will
be maintained and the aid package will be reduced. If
a program is projected to be more than an on-campus
semester, the student and family may be eligible for
additional loans in the amount of the price differential.
Also, scholarships are available for certain overseas
programs. Detailed financial aid and scholarship information
is available on the USC Office of Overseas Studies Financial
Aid page. Generally, there are many more scholarships
available for study in non-Western or developing countries.
Scholarships for study in Europe and Australia are quite
limited.
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When
should I go?
Students
are able to study overseas for a duration of either
a single semester or for a full academic year. Some
programs are available during spring semester only,
while some programs require attendance for a full academic
year. However, the majority of programs provide the
participant with the opportunity to study overseas when
best fits their schedule. Students must be of a minimum
of sophomore standing upon commencement of a program.
Transfer students must have completed one full semester
at USC prior to applying to go overseas – the soonest
transfer students may study overseas is upon the completion
of two semesters at USC.
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Can
I earn major or minor credit?
Yes.
However, some pre-professional schools other than the
College do not award major or minor credit for overseas
coursework. Departmental approval must be obtained in
order to assure credit towards a major or minor.
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What
about my housing at USC?
Students
accepted to a USC Overseas Studies program will be released
from their University housing contract. As of now, there
is no guarantee that students will be able to reenter
university housing upon return from an overseas program.
For students in non-university housing, it is their
responsibility to make housing arrangements both before
and after studying overseas.
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What
are the overseas living arrangements?
Living
arrangements vary among programs. Depending on the program,
housing options may include dormitory (either with dining
halls or cooking facilities), homestay, apartments (with
other Americans, native citizens, or other foreign students),
group homes, or shared cabins in the case of Field Studies
programs.
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How
early can I start applying?
Applications
are due the semester prior to studying: for spring,
applications are due in early October. For fall or full
year study, applications are due in mid-March. Applications
are available at the office of overseas studies at the
beginning of the semester in which they are due. For
the School for Field Studies and Madrid, applications
are accepted on a rolling basis, and applications may
be submitted prior to the deadlines. In the case of
all other programs, applications will not be processed
until after the deadline and early submission will not
affect chances of admission.
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Can
only certain majors study abroad?
No.
All programs are open to all students regardless of
major, with the exceptions of Aberystwyth (for International
Relations majors and minors only) and Rome (for Classics
majors only).
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May
I talk to an alumnus of the program?
Program
evaluations from previous participants are available
in the Office of Overseas Studies. Also, in most cases
alumni will be present at information sessions and program
orientations. In addition, student alumni are available
for advisement at the Office of Overseas Studies.
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Will
all the courses that I take transfer as USC credit?
Yes.
All courses taken through an Office of Overseas Studies
program will transfer as USC credit and will count toward
the 64-unit residency requirement. However, credit toward
major or minor fulfillment is dependent upon departmental
approval.
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Does
USC arrange travel?
No.
Some programs are operated in cooperation with other
universities or organizations, and group flights may
be available. Many of the programs offer excursions
with pre-arranged transportation during the term.
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