Here’s a detailed look at Study Abroad & Global Opportunities at Rowan University — what’s offered, how it works, what to watch out for, and how to make the most of them.
Why Go Global / Study Abroad at Rowan
Studying abroad, doing virtual global work, or participating in exchange programs can provide big benefits:
- Cultural exposure, language practice, seeing different educational & societal norms
- Academic growth via courses not available at home campus or gaining new perspectives
- Professional experience (global competency, adaptability) that employers often value
- Personal growth — independence, problem-solving, resilience, networks
Rowan frames its global opportunities around being academically challenging, professionally relevant, and personally engaging. (Rowan University)
What Rowan Offers: Types of Global/Study Abroad Opportunities
Rowan has multiple mechanisms through which students can gain international/global experience. Here are the main types.
| Type | What It Is / Highlights | Credits / Costs / Eligibility Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Exchange Programs | Rowan has formal exchange agreements with multiple universities abroad. Students can spend a semester (or sometimes more) abroad at a partner institution. You still pay Rowan tuition; pay for housing/meals abroad. (Rowan University) | Must apply via Rowan’s Education Abroad office; use Rowan’s tuition; foreign transcript; you’ll need to get host approval; financial aid typically usable. (Rowan University) |
| Provider Programs (Third-party) | Partnered external organizations (providers) that Rowan approves. Students go on their programs in many countries, for summer, semester, year etc. Courses may be from the provider or host institutions. (Rowan University) | Pay the provider (not Rowan tuition); many include housing, excursions, support; courses must be pre-approved for credit; aid/funding may apply. (Rowan University) |
| Faculty-Led / Short-Term Trips | Trips led by Rowan faculty, often for a focused topic (history, geography, culture, etc.). These can be over short terms (e.g. summer, intersession) and may tie closely to a class. Examples: “Urbanization of the East” (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand) or “Great Urban Spaces” in Europe. (earth.rowan.edu) | Usually shorter duration (less time away); fewer credits; cost varies; sometimes lower risk; good option if can’t commit to full semester abroad. (earth.rowan.edu) |
| Virtual Global / Global-Tech Experience | These are remote or virtual international-style options. For example, the Global Career Accelerator is a program where students from Rowan and many other countries work together on projects for real global organizations, earn credit, and build skills like digital marketing, data analytics, etc. This gives global exposure without travel. (Ric Edelman College) | There is a fee; in some cases financial aid may apply; no travel means lower logistical burden. Great for those unable to travel. (Ric Edelman College) |
Key Processes & How It Works
Here are some of the steps Rowan students typically go through to study abroad:
- Explore Available Programs Early
- Use Rowan’s International Center / Education Abroad Office to look at options: exchange, provider, short-term, virtual. (Rowan University)
- Talk with your major advisor to see what coursework abroad can count toward your requirements. (Ric Edelman College)
- Meet Eligibility Requirements
- Many programs require a minimum GPA (often ~2.5 or 3.0 depending on the program) (Ric Edelman College)
- Some programs have departmental or language prerequisites.
- For full semester/year abroad, planning must be done well in advance.
- Apply through Rowan + Host / Provider
- Complete Rowan’s Study Abroad / Education Abroad application. (Rowan University)
- If going on an exchange, Rowan nominates you, then you apply to the partner institution. (Rowan University)
- For provider programs, apply via the provider, after getting departmental approvals. (Rowan University)
- Financing & Scholarships
- You can use Rowan Study Abroad Scholarships, external scholarships (e.g. Gilman), financial aid in many cases. (Ric Edelman College)
- Cost depends heavily on program type (short-term vs semester vs year; host country; housing; included meals etc.). (Ric Edelman College)
- Credit Transfer & Academic Approval
- Before leaving, plan with your department to ensure the courses you take abroad will fulfill Rowan requirements (major, general education, electives) so you don’t have to retake or lose credits.
- Get syllabi, course descriptions in advance.
- Pre-Travel Preparation
- Passport, visa (if needed), immunizations, travel insurance.
- Orientation: safety, cultural norms, academic expectations. Rowan’s International Center helps with these. (Rowan University)
- While Abroad / After Return
- Stay engaged: maintain communication with advisors, meet host institution expectations.
- On return, make sure you get transcripts forwarded, evaluate what you learned, apply your experiences to academic, professional, and personal life.
Examples of Specific Programs
Here are some examples of study abroad/global learning programs currently or recently offered by Rowan:
- Urbanization of the East (Vietnam, Cambodia, Thailand) – geography department’s study abroad trip. (earth.rowan.edu)
- Great Urban Spaces in Europe — London, Paris, Florence, Rome. (earth.rowan.edu)
- Journey to Unforgettable Japan — Spring 2026 faculty-led tour + class. (earth.rowan.edu)
- Sea Semester (Biological Sciences) — combining academic coursework and research while traveling by ship. (College of Science & Mathematics)
- GAIAS Institute (Galápagos & Quito, Ecuador) — exchange / study abroad opportunity, especially in life sciences/environmental topics. (College of Science & Mathematics)
Advantages & Challenges
Here are pros & cons, plus what to watch out for.
| Advantages | Challenges / Considerations |
|---|---|
| Builds global perspective, cultural competence | Cost can be high, especially travel and living abroad if not included |
| Enhances resume / professional opportunities | Academic planning difficulties: ensuring classes abroad count toward your major or degree requirements |
| Potential language gain; immersive learning | Homesickness / culture shock; logistical concerns (visa, health, insurance) |
| Opportunities to network internationally; unique experiences that differentiate you | Timing may conflict with major courses; study abroad may slow progress if too late in degree track |
Tips to Make Most of Global Opportunities
- Start planning early — ideally in your first or second year.
- Talk to academic advisors to map your major requirements and see which courses could be taken abroad or replaced.
- Apply for scholarships early, and consider less expensive destinations or shorter programs to manage cost.
- Consider opportunities like virtual global internships if travel isn’t possible.
- Keep an open mind, embrace discomfort — much of the growth comes from adapting to new environments.
- Document your experiences: take photos, write reflections; use them in applications, interviews, etc.
If you like, I can gather the latest 2025/2026 programs for your major (or for your interests: business, science, arts etc.), and map possible costs & deadlines. Do you want me to do that?