Study Abroad Faq's

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Study abroad is currently not a formal requirement, but all students are strongly encouraged to take part in an international experience.

Students generally go abroad during their junior year, although this is not a rule. You will need to consider your academic progress (i.e. what courses you have already taken, what you will take while abroad, and what you will need to take upon return) in order to remain on track and graduate on time.

Yes, but keep in mind that the primary recruiting season for employers is fall of the senior year. Make sure to inform the Career Development Center of your plans if you choose to study abroad as a senior.

When should I start planning my study abroad experience?

Applications are generally due one semester in advance of your planned term abroad. Early planning is key to ensuring that you remain on track academically.

Academic credit is granted for participation in RPI-affiliated exchange programs that take place during the academic year, or for faculty-led summer programs.

During the academic year, you must take a leave of absence and no credit will be granted. During the summer months and the holiday break, students are encouraged to participate in international experiences, but no academic credit will be granted (with the exception of some RPI faculty-led summer programs).

Exchanges, architecture semester programs, short-term faculty led summer programs.

No formal options are currently available, but the Office of Undergraduate Education is working to develop international opportunities for students to participate in during this period.

No. Space is limited on most programs.

Generally students complete an RPI Study Abroad Application and the required application of the host institution and submit an official transcript. Academic letters of recommendation and an essay are required for some programs.

Is a minimum GPA required?

A 3.0 is generally required. Students who do not meet this requirement should discuss their plans with the appropriate study abroad administrator prior to completing an application.

All applications are reviewed by RPI faculty and study abroad staff. For most programs, an unofficial admissions decision is made at RPI, but official acceptances are always issued by the host institution.

No. Study abroad credits are effectively treated as transfer credits and are not factored into the GPA. The exceptions to this are the architecture programs which are taught by RPI faculty and treated as regular RPI courses.

You must achieve the equivalent of a C- or better in order to receive RPI credit. If you fail a course it will not show up on your transcript, but no credit will be granted.

No, only credits earned will appear on your official transcript. Your unofficial transcript will show the RPI course equivalent.

In order to maintain full-time status you must take the equivalent of 12 credits. The actual number of classes that you take will depend on the academic system of the host institution.

This depends on the program. For most of the exchange programs, students select courses from among the regular course offerings at the host institution. For some programs, students select from a pre-approved list.

YES! If you plan to participate in IMEP, GE³ or the Undergraduate Exchanges you must complete a Transfer Credit Approval Form and obtain the signature of the appropriate Transfer Credit Approval Evaluator from each academic department, as well as that of your academic advisor. REACH students must complete a Study Abroad Course Planning Worksheet and meet with a designated faculty member in SoE for course approval.

In most cases, this is done directly with the host institution following their registration procedures for exchange students.

Students who participate in RPI-affiliated study abroad remain registered at RPI with full-time student status.

Students pay regular RPI tuition for participation in an RPI-affiliated study abroad experience and receive full RPI credit. Transportation and living expenses are the responsibility of the student, and in most cases are paid directly by the student.

Yes, students who participate on RPI-affiliated study abroad programs receive their full financial aid package (with the exception of work study money), including any RPI scholarships.

This depends on the site, but in most cases, no. Each host institution provides students with housing information, and it is the responsibility of the student to apply.

A visa, or entry permit, is a stamp or attachment in your passport that allows you to enter a specific country for a certain period of time. A visa is issued by the country that requires it. It is the responsibility of the student to make sure that he or she understands the visa requirements of the host country, to obtain the necessary application materials and supporting documents, and to apply according to the regulations of the host country. Common visa requirements include biometrics (fingerprinting) and an appointment at the Consulate of the host country (located in major U.S. cities).

REACH was launched as Rensselaer Engineers Across Cultural Horizons in spring 2009 as an exchange program for engineering students, and is now expanding to include all students. It is now referred to Rensselaer Education Across Cultural Horizons.

REACH exchanges are designed to allow for the exchange of large groups of students. These programs accommodate 25-50 students per semester traveling in each direction. Current options are the Technological University of Denmark (DTU) and Nanyang Technological University (NTU) in Singapore.

Global E³ is an international exchange program for engineering students at member institutions. The program is designed to allow students to take courses overseas for credit at their home institutions. Currently, exchanges mainly occur with western European universities plus selected individual institutions in other world regions, including Asia, central and eastern Europe, and Latin America.

Study abroad information sessions will be conducted at the beginning of the fall and spring semesters. You can also contact the appropriate program administrator for more information: