EDUCATION ABROAD AT OSU NEWARK: FAQS
1. How do I find out about Education abroad opportunities? Contact education abroad director Virginia Cope at cope.38@osu.edu or search for programs at educationabroad.osu.edu and oia.osu.edu. This site will give information on programs based on all the Ohio State campuses, including Newark. In the fall, the Newark campus offers information sessions about upcoming opportunities. The Office of International Affairs in Columbus hosts regular education abroad information sessions, listed on their site. You can use CarmenConnect to join the Columbus-based “Getting Started” sessions.
2. Should I wait until I am a junior or senior to study abroad? Newark-sponsored programs are appropriate for students of any rank and we encourage freshmen to apply. OSU’s Global May programs also are designed specifically to get first- and second-year students abroad early in 
their academic life. Many students who study abroad once go on to do another program later, so it’s a good idea to get started soon.
3. Does Newark have its own education abroad program? Each year the Newark campus sponsors several education abroad courses. Read more. Newark campus students may also apply to any education abroad program listed on the OIA site, so long as they can fulfill the requirements (for example, some classes may require taking a course beforehand in Columbus).
4. Will I earn course credit? All OSU-sponsored education abroad travel courses provide credit, and most fulfill the open-option GE. The educationabroad.osu.edu site also provides information on OSU-approved programs provided by third parties that can provide credit.
5. How much do programs cost? In addition to tuition, students pay a program fee to cover lodging, activities and other travel expenses. The program fee is due at the same time as tuition for the semester in which you will be traveling. Costs vary a great deal based on the destination and the length of stay. On the Newark campus, we subsidize costs to keep the program fee to $1000. Read the program sheets carefully since covered costs vary. Some Ohio State University-sponsored programs, for example, do not include airfare costs in the program fee.
6. Can I get help paying for the courses? For summer and beyond study abroad, apply by March 1 for this Newark campus scholarship. You may also use some forms of financial aid to pay for your expenses. At the Office of International Affairs web site, explore the grants and scholarships available and be sure to read this overview, which includes information on using financial aid. An overview of grants and scholarships for regional campus students is available here. Review scholarships immediately, since many deadlines are early in the academic year. Also note that scholarships will be treated as part of your overall total financial aid award for the academic year. It may be necessary to file an appeal with Financial Aid to increase aid in order to take advantage of a scholarship or grant. OIA will provide the budget letter necessary to file this appeal.
7. What types of programs does Newark offer? Students from the Newark campus have studied in Nicaragua, Germany, Costa Rica and Canada. Education abroad opportunities come in several varieties, but at Newark are typically a 3-credit course with classes on campus and 10-14 days of travel.
8. What other education abroad courses should I consider? The May programs to Cyprus and Corfu give priority to regional campus students which is very helpful for getting in to these popular programs. Also, education majors can fulfill the FEEP requirement with a course to Indonesia organized by one of our Newark faculty.
9. Do I need to speak a foreign language? You don’t need to be a foreign language or international studies major to study abroad; Ohio State students can study a wide variety of subjects in another country. You can take classes in your minor, satisfy GE requirements or try something new. Experiences and skills that you learn while abroad can apply to almost any field.
10. How do I apply? You apply through educationabroad.osu.edu. Log in on the program sheet page for the specific program that interests you. You will fill out an online application and upload your advising report, a short personal essay, and the name and email of a professor who has agreed to write a recommendation. (Contact professors at least a month before the deadline).
11. What are the requirements for being accepted into a program? You do need to be academically ready to study in another country. Generally
, a GPA of 2.0 or higher is required. Other requirements vary by program. All details are provided in the program sheets at educationabroad.osu.edu.
12. Can I get help applying for a passport? Newark campus students may receive reimbursement for the costs of applying for a passport (typically $135; we do not cover additional costs for expedited service). To request reimbursement, scan an itemized receipt showing fees paid and email it to Virginia Cope at cope.38@osu.edu. In most cases, you will also need to fill out a tax form (osuw9) in order to get reimbursed. (Student employees will already have this form on file). That form should be turned in to Beth Moss in the Purchasing Office before you submit your receipts for reimbursement: Beth Moss, moss.125@osu.edu, 740-366-9235, Purchasing and Travel Department, Founders Hall. For more general information, see the OIA web site: Get a Passport