How do I get started if I want to study abroad?

The Office of Education Abroad within the Center for International Programs has peer advisors and staff that can help you get started.  Coordination with your academic advisor will also be required if you plan on earning academic credit while abroad. Here are some options for getting started:

1. Check out our Virtual Office to explore the basics of education abroad at UD, including types of programs, financial aid and scholarships, and resources. It also includes testimonials from students, as well as various videos. 
2. Drop in for Virtual or In-Person Peer Advising with one of our student workers (all of whom had studied abroad while at UD). Click here for drop in advising times and links. 
3. Schedule a one on one advising appointment with one of our Professional Advisors. Click here to read more about our advisors and to schedule an appointment. 
4. Our Virtual Study Abroad Fair tab provides other opportunities to connect with our office, including various information sessions and student panels. 

Will going abroad delay my graduation?

If you work closely with the Office of Education Abroad and your academic advisor, you should be able to plan for a study abroad experience that won’t delay graduation. In fact, you may even be able to get ahead in your credits by taking summer or winter courses. 

Which program is best for me?

It depends on the experience you want. Finding the best program for you is determined by a number of factors, including academics, finances, career aspirations and your overall personal goals for the experience.  Reach out to your professional or peer advisors both in the Office of Education Abroad and your academic department to discuss your options and what might be the best fit for you. Our Programs Overview page provides a nice overview of the program types available. 

Do I take courses in my major or CAP courses while abroad?

This will largely depend on your major, personal preference, and the type of program you select.

How does it work, financially, if I want to go abroad?

Costs vary per program. The cost of a program may include tuition, tuition and fees, or just fees.  Housing and other inclusions vary per program. Some semester programs are offered at no additional cost to a semester of study at UD.  UD and federal financial aid applies to UD programs.  Scholarships are also available and vary in amount with some available via UD and some available via external organizations. It is expected that all students will incur personal costs while abroad (e.g. spending money) and a program advisor can assist with identifying which program options may best suit your budget.

Office of Education Abroad Contact Information

Email: edabroad@udayton.edu

Phone: (937) 229-3728

Website: www.udayton.edu/edabroad 

Where: 211 Alumni Hall

    Contact us for current walk-in hours

1850 is the software/website student orgs use to recruit others and publish information, so check it out at the link below by using your UD login. Most student orgs allow you to get involved any time of the year. You can view a full list of organizations here.

Career Services has great information about internships and jobs. You can see information about internships here, and view Handshake, UD's employment platform here.

Internship FAQs with Liz Seager, Associate Director, Career Advising and Experiential Education, Career Services

How do you get internships and when should you start looking for one? What is the year you should have one?

• In the big picture, most employers seek out students after sophomore year (summer before junior year is a good year to start), first year students can have internships but they might not be as educated or experienced as second years.
• The prime time for internships is between junior and senior year. 
• It depends on the drive by industry- anything stem is earlier (fiance, accounting, engineer etc.)
• It is best to get your ducks in a row (meet with Career Services, resume, cover letters etc.) January of sophomore year and find an internship for the summer before junior year.  

What is the best way to apply and get offers for internships and co-ops?

• It is  PROCESS! It is beneficial to do self assessments in order to see what you're interested in and where your skill set falls. Utilize Career Services to do this!
• Developing a target list of companies and locations that interest you, then following these companies on Handshake and LinkedIn. Keep an eye on these companies to see if there are any available job opportunities. 
• Network with alumni, career advisors, career services, professors, supervisors, family friends etc. Networking can land you many job opportunities! 

What's a good way to connect EL in a job interview?

• Brainstorming and dissecting the situation and skills used in the EL event, and relating that to the bigger picture- communication, teamwork, organizational skills will help students in the interview process.
• All interviews are behavioral based interviewing (Tell me a time when you worked in a team), students will suddenly have a career path emerge based on their EL experience.

What are the best organizations to join where you can be a leader and gain good experience?

• Anything that means something to the student. The key is to be in some position of leadership (be on executive, recruit, does not have to be huge but it makes a difference, volunteer etc.). 
• Being able to relate the skills and leadership qualities you learned and gained throughout the experience.

How do you know the right decision to make when it comes to your career?

• Engae in the career development process. It is important to do some exploring and research, self assessment, values, personality, etc. connecting and having those conversations, getting to know yourself and what you like. 
• Career services website has a feature where it shows the user what they can do (jobs) with a specific major etc.
• Information interviewing is a powerful form of networking and uncovers career interests. You can do mock interviews at Career Services!
• EL, see what fits you, if it does not fit you find the next thing. Every experience teaches you about yourself and not every discipline will be a good fit for you.
• However you record information (notes, word doc etc.) WRITE IT DOWN! This helps you reflect and discover more about yourself and your interests.

Is co-oping at different companies better than sticking with one for all of college?

• Co-oping is supposed to be with the same employer every year so you can grow with them, have a strong mentorship, graduate with years of experience and very marketable that you have stuck with the same employer for a long time.
• Working with the same employer for 2 terms and if you don't like it change the 3rd, if you hate 1st then it's okay to move for 2nd.
• This is everyone's individualized career path so it is okay to jump around to different employers to find the right fit.

Who do you get in contact with about internships?

• Career services, center clearinghouse for anything and everything related to internships!
• Networking, using LinkedIn and Handshake to find job opportunities.
• Network with faculty, staff, peers, family friends etc.
• Look into internship courses for credit.

The Center for Social Concern through Campus Ministry has many volunteer opportunities, as well as co-advises UD's service-oriented student organizations. Find more information on their website. We also have a list of recent opportunities from their "Ways to Engage" email newsletter here.

Flyer Connection is an online mentoring platform for UD students and alumni which allows students to ask advice and build professional relationships with alumni through flash-mentoring. Within Flyer Connection, students can sign-up for the Alumni Mentoring Program. This program provides personalized one-on-one mentoring throughout the academic year. A student would be matched with a mentor over the academic term. Please contact flyerconnection@udayton.edu with questions.

EL Ambassadors is a new program which seeks to connect first- and second-year students with juniors and seniors who have diverse experience in EL. Feel free to check out the Ambassadors page and reach out to an Ambassador with any questions.