Faculty and Staff Resources

All academic advisors and faculty can use the resources and tips provided below to successfully support our students when they come to you to discuss studying abroad.

Advising Resources:

• Advisor’s Guide to Study Abroad 
• Major Guides 
• Study Abroad Scholarships
• Study Abroad Portal 
• Financing Study Abroad
• FAQs

Course Registration and Selection

Before a semester abroad, students should meet with Global Engagement and their advisor to come up with a list of possible courses to take abroad. All courses must then be approved by the program chair (major/minor course) or the VP of Academics (AoKs). Students are encouraged to include 3-4 alternates in case their preferred courses are not available.

There are 4 different ways a course can count towards a student’s degree:

1. AoK or Integrated curriculum requirement (ex: HA AoK)
2. Specific Elmhurst course (ex: COM 319)
3. Major/Minor elective credit (ex: COM MAJ)
4. General elective (ex: ELC)

The semester before going abroad, students will be enrolled in GLE-250 Preparation for International Education (0 credits). This course helps prepare students for their upcoming study abroad program by discussing culture, academics, health, safety, travel planning and finances. During their semester abroad, student are enrolled in a placeholder course, EXP-200. Once they return, Global Engagement will work with Registration and Records to update their transcript with the courses taken abroad. Students will then be registered for GLE 251 Unpacking Study Abroad (0.25 credits) the semester they return to reflect on their time abroad.

 Transcripts

Student transcripts from semester study abroad programs will be sent directly to the Office of Global Engagement. Note that grading scales and credits may vary by country.   OGE will work with Registration and Records to convert the credits and grades and enter the information into a student’s record. If you have questions about how grades will translate from a certain country or institution, please reach out to OGE.

Faculty-led, fall and spring semester courses will receive EU credit and count towards residency requirements. Courses will denote the city or country name in Self-Service and on the student’s transcript.  Partner programs during the summer will show as transfer credit.

For additional training and information, please attend the Study Abroad 101 session of the Global Engagement Academy.

One of the most challenging, and quite often most rewarding, pursuits of an educator’s career is leading a group of students on a study abroad or study away experience. Global Engagement encourages faculty members from all academic departments to consider developing a study abroad course. All faculty-led programs must be approved by the Global Advisory and Curriculum Committee (GACC).

All programs require two faculty members. The primary faculty leader must be full-time and have previous experience through any of the following:

• Shadowed an EU program
• Led or co-led an EU program
• Completed a site visit through the Prinz Travel Fellowship Grant
• Have experience leading programs with a previous institution

For more information about shadowing a study abroad program, visit this page.

Steps for Proposing a Course Abroad

1. Familiarize yourself with the faculty-led program process by attending an information session or meeting with Global Engagement.
2. Begin to formulate ideas about your program proposal and complete the Study Abroad Proposal Intent form through the Via portal.
3. Complete the program proposal and all of its components and submit on Via for approval.

Submission Requirements

Proposals and supplemental materials should be submitted on Via, the study abroad portal. Forms will become available on Via after the initial Study Abroad Proposal Intent has been received and processed.

• Proposal Form:
  • New Faculty-led Proposal Form: For new programs, previous programs that have not run in past four years, or previous programs with significant academic or on-site changes.
  • Continuing Faculty-led Proposal Form: For previously approved programs that have run within the past four years and do not have any significant academic or on-site changes.
• Course Syllabus: A syllabus for the course that includes course goals and objectives, required readings and assessment methods. The syllabus should clearly define how site visits and other activities align with the learning objectives of the course.
• Itinerary: Provide a daily itinerary that includes all group travel, activities, lectures, site visits, group discussions and cultural activities that are required parts of the course.
• Budget: Submit a budget with expected expenses using the provided template. All faculty-led programs are self-supporting, which means all related expenses should be managed through student fees and/or external funds.
• Proposal from study abroad travel provider (if any)

Intent forms are due September 15 for programs offered the following academic year. Full proposals are due February 15.

Questions? Contact [email protected].

The Global Engagement Academy is a professional development program designed for faculty and staff to build competencies in international education and engagement. Participants can attend sessions à la carte or may choose to earn a GEA Certificate by completing two core courses and three elective courses.

Core Courses

• Global Engagement
• Intercultural Communication

Sample Elective Courses

• Internationalizing the Curriculum
• Study Abroad 101
• Life Cycle of an International Student
• International Students in the Classroom
• Leading a Study Abroad Program
• Fulbright Scholars Program
• Additional sessions TBD