Temple students from any major can study in almost any country in the world, a perk that can make researching your options both exciting and intimidating. Don’t be put off! The Education Abroad office has lots of resources and staff to help you on your way so you can carry out your study abroad research without a hitch and find your best program.
Complete the steps below to find your ideal study abroad program and to ensure that it will fit into your degree plan. The timeline by which you complete these steps will depend, to some degree, on when you begin planning and which term you intend to study abroad. Ideally, you should complete the first five steps listed below during freshman year, and aim to apply for your program and any scholarships at least a semester and a half before you plan to study abroad, though be careful—some programs and scholarships have deadlines even a year in advance. Although the order of the steps may vary, you should always begin with Foundations of Study Abroad.
Sign up for a Foundations of Study Abroad session
This is the first required step for all students who want to study abroad to learn about the different types of programs, GPA requirements, how to finance a study abroad experience, housing options, and what questions to discuss with their academic advisor. In this session, you will also begin to develop your study abroad goals, which will help you choose a program that suits you. Stop by our office in 200 Tuttleman or click on the link below to register.
Apply for your passport
You can apply for your passport on the State Department's travel website or at a local passport agency.
If you've never had a passport and apply during your first year at Temple, you can take advantage of the Passport Scholarship, which will reimburse you the cost of a U.S. passport.
Meet with your Academic Advisor
Meet with an academic advisor from your school or college's advising center to review your degree and graduation requirements and to discuss your plans to study abroad.
Conduct your own research
Now that you have figured out what your goals are, it's time to figure out what kind of program would work best for you.
- Visit the Choosing a Program section of our website for guidance on the types of programs we offer and how they might suit your needs
- Explore our program options on this website and peruse the brochures in our office (200 Tuttleman)
- Check out our events calendar for other happenings, like our annual Study Abroad Fair and other events.
- Talk with Study Abroad Ambassadors and other study abroad alumni to hear their stories
Meet with a Study Abroad Advisor
Peer Advisors are available to assist you throughout the process. They can help you explore programs and answer many of your questions about the process to study abroad.
Once you have attended Foundations of Study Abroad and met with your academic advisor, you can also choose to meet with one of our school/college and program advisors. These advisors can help you review programs and course offerings and discuss your plan to study abroad. They can also help you narrow your options, provide guidance on what scholarships you may be eligible for, review your budget, and help you solidify your next steps in planning.
Get a student's perspective!
Talk to our student advisors to learn more about the destinations and programs you're considering, and to hear their tips about how to live like a local.
Research scholarship opportunities
Both Education Abroad and other organizations award scholarships for academic year, semester, and summer study abroad. Pay close attention to eligibility requirements and scholarship deadlines.
Attend info sessions on financing study abroad
We host info sessions on Financing Your Study Abroad and Scholarship Writing Workshops. Dates and times are on our Calendar page. If you can’t make the scholarship essay workshop and have an essay draft, make an appointment with a tutor at the University Writing Center.
Attend program-specific info sessions
Throughout the year, we host program-specific information sessions, such as Temple University Rome, TU Japan, or Oviedo.
Secure final approval from your Academic Advisor
Once you have identified a program, secure final approval from your Academic Advisor and re-confirm courses available on your program will fulfill your degree requirements. Plan to take at least 15 credits abroad during the fall or spring semesters to stay on track.