Travel and Study Abroad

Broaden your perspective, enhance your self-confidence, and strengthen your adaptability

International Internships & Global Service Learning

Explore career paths and grow your professional network

A Uniquely Transformative and Immersive Learning Experience

 

Loras College Study Abroad offers students the opportunity to live in and engage with communities in diverse settings. Students will build new connections, gain intercultural competence, strengthen foreign language acquisition, and hone in on the College's dispositions of becoming active learners, responsible contributors, ethical decision-makers, and reflective thinkers.

WHERE DO YOU WANT TO STUDY?

We have partners all around the world with endless location options! Below are a few of our favorites.

Argentina

Buenos Aires, Argentina
Fall Semester

Ireland

Dublin, Ireland
Spring Semester

Spain

Santiago de Compostela, Spain
Spring Semester

Portugal

Lisbon, Portugal
Spring Semester

GRADUATING IN FOUR YEARS

Studying abroad is best achieved by early and strategic planning with our Study Abroad Coordinator, students’ academic advisors, and our Office of Financial Planning. Critical to the planning process is establishing an academic plan that aligns with your goals and keeps you on track for graduation.

AN EXPERIENCE OF A LIFETIME

Hear from students how their international learning experience taught them more about themselves and the world.

FULL SEMESTER AND SHORT-TERM
OPPORTUNITIES

 

Loras sponsors both full semester and short-term study abroad programs for students across all academic disciplines. Students develop academically, professionally, and personally through engagement with international host institutions and partner organizations that may include local universities, internship and service organizations, host families and interactions with local citizens. Our programs foster the development of community and connection with other Loras students and faculty prior to departure, offering a unique support system while navigating abroad. With early and strategic planning, students can earn academic credit toward their major or minor and remain on track for graduation.

UNDERSTANDING STUDY ABROAD

 

Students who study abroad acquire and develop employer-sought skillsets including intercultural communication, leadership, problem solving, adaptability, self-awareness, cultural awareness, foreign language skills, confidence, and a better understanding of diversity. In our ever-connected world and globally connected workforce, these skills are essential for management and leadership positions. Studying abroad improves a student’s preparedness for a global era. Furthermore, interning and volunteering while studying abroad may not only result in credits earned for the semester, but enriches the experience with career integration in a corporate or non-profit setting.

 

A global learning experience contributes to and enhances an undergraduate education by completion of international and relevant coursework and internships. All credits on a Loras College semester or short-term program are transferrable to Loras. Students should critically explore and discuss with their academic advisor a plan that meets academic requirements while maintaining the student’s anticipated graduation timeline.

Student Learning Outcomes

 

Study Abroad Student Learning Outcomes
  • Acquire transferrable and professionally-sought skills through applied learning (leadership, communication skills, adaptability, critical thinking, cultural awareness, empathy, problem solving, etc.).
  • Develop and strengthen the ability to competently navigate and engage in diverse settings.
  • Enhance foreign language skills and intercultural competency through structured classroom learning and in everyday life interactions with host families and local citizens.
  • Participate as a team member in a service position or academic internship within a related field of interest guided by reflection and evaluation.

 

 

Health, Safety and Well-being

 

Your health and safety is our #1 priority!

Along with our partners abroad, we prioritize the overall health and well-being of our student participants. Valuing transparent communication in regards to physical and mental health, the Center for Experiential Learning collaborates with campus health and counseling professionals months prior to departure to work with students in developing healthy planning practices. Loras enrolls its study abroad students with Blue Cross Blue Shield’s GeoBlue supplemental international medical insurance plan. In addition to campus and local in-country support resources, we closely follow the National Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and U.S. Department of State travel and health guidelines and alerts.

 

While abroad, host-program staff and faculty provide support to students who may require assistance and help connect with local resources, health services and professionals.

 

 

Affordability

 

Developing a financial plan and budget for a semester abroad is a critical step in the planning stages for Study Abroad. To provider greater access to global learning opportunities, students participating on a Loras College Study Abroad semester program may apply 100% of their Loras institutional aid as well as state and/or federal aid. Students must schedule an appointment with the Office of Financial Planning to review costs and plan for particular program fees plus anticipated out-of-pocket expenses. Common fees associated with a semester program include but are not limited to Loras College semester tuition, housing fees abroad, meals with a host family, supplemental international insurance coverage, excursion fees, a reduced student activity fee, and the technology fee. Anticipated out-of-pocket expenses include but are not limited to a passport, visa, vaccinations, local transportation, international airfare, meals, and daily living expenses. Tuition remission is not applicable towards a Study Abroad semester program.

 

It is important to discuss potential financial resources associated with the specific Study Abroad program of interest. A Study Abroad candidate that is receiving a federal Pell Grant may be eligible to apply to the U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship which awards up to $5,000. A Study Abroad candidate who may be traditionally underrepresented in Study Abroad may be eligible to apply for an FEA Scholarship. Students are encouraged to explore available opportunities with the Loras Study Abroad Coordinator.

 

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

What are the Study Abroad requirements?

 

Students eligible for a semester or short-term program must have at least a 2.5 GPA prior to the departing term and must be in good academic standing. First-year students are ineligible to apply to a semester program or January Term course traveling abroad. Disciplinary records are reviewed and considered in the acceptance process. An initial deposit payment is typically required for most programs.

 

Students must have the approval of their academic advisors and have set an appointment with  the Office of Financial Planning to pursue a semester abroad.

 

What are the benefits of a global learning opportunity?

 

Students who study abroad acquire and develop employer-sought skillsets including intercultural communication, leadership, problem solving, adaptability, self-awareness, cultural awareness, foreign language skills, confidence, and a better understanding of diversity. In our ever-connected world and globally connected workforce, these skills are essential for management and leadership positions. Studying abroad improves a student’s preparedness for a global era. Furthermore, interning and volunteering while studying abroad may not only result in credits earned for the semester, but enriches the experience with career integration in a corporate or non-profit setting.

 

How am I supported throughout the process?

 

The Center for Experiential Learning provides support throughout the entire process, from discernment and program selection, to months of pre-departure preparation, through the in-country experience, and following students’ return home and return to campus (known as Re-Entry).

 

During Pre-Departure:

  • Accepted students are required to participate in program-specific pre-departure meetings the semester prior to departure led by CEL staff with guest presentations from faculty and staff across campus, returned Study Abroad students, and partners and providers abroad.
  • Students will establish learning goals, discuss intercultural competence or cultural intelligence, review cultural adaptation and assimilation, explore how to navigate an international academic and internship setting, establish an international CV and motivation letter, complete appropriate host program applications, forms, and visa applications, and more.

During Re-Entry:

  • Reverse culture shock, defined as an experience a person may have when returning to a home environment following an immersive experience in a new cultural environment, varies student-to-student and has been reported as sometimes more challenging than arrival culture shock.
  • Often described as disorienting, students must re-adjust to an American pace and the academic expectations of their home institution. The Center for Experiential Learning helps students unpack their experiences in informal and formal ways to aid in reflection and processing of a transformative semester abroad.

 

How can I remain engaged post-Study Abroad?

 

Duhawks who have experienced the unique and transformative opportunities through Loras College Study Abroad and January Term often explore ways to apply their expanded learning and new cultural framework into remaining time at Loras and beyond. Post-Study Abroad involvement on campus has included infusing research from overseas into capstone and thesis presentations, Legacy Symposium poster and oral presentations, and article submissions in The Lorian. Study Abroad Alumni remain engaged and spread awareness of international education by participation at the Study Abroad Fair, program information sessions, in classroom presentations and Study Abroad alumni panel discussions, and by participation in the annual International Photo Contest.

 

The Center for Experiential Learning supports undergraduates in their pursuit of post-graduation exploration of the Fulbright Program, Teaching English Abroad, Peace Corps, graduate school, and employment opportunities.

 

Let's Get In Touch

The Loras College Center for Experiential Learning and our Study Abroad Coordinator are just an email or phone call away.

Abbie Behrens
Study Abroad Coordinator
abigail.behrens@loras.edu
563.588.7026


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