Congratulations on your acceptance to Temple University! One of the many benefits of choosing Temple is its breadth of study abroad opportunities and the support we offer our students. In this presentation, we'll explore the value of study abroad, opportunities available for Temple students, and how you can get started on your journey. 

First, let's consider why study abroad is valuable. It lets you not only see the world, but really live in a culture different from your own. You can become proficient in another language, challenge your way of thinking, enhance your academic studies, create lifelong friendships, develop independence and confidence, become a truly global citizen, and embrace your competitive edge when entering the job market or applying to graduate or professional schools. 

Let's take a look at a few examples of student stories from our blogs. 

• Tom Kuklinski emphasized how you can only truly experience another culture by living in it.
• Amma-Sika Adomako and learned the value of being challenged to adjust to a different educational system and way of learning. 
• Adam Brock, who studied on two different programs, emphasized the value of linguistic immersion, and really stretching your comfort zone for growth and discovery. 
• Nina De Vitry made lifelong friends on her program in Spain. 

You can gain more insights from other students at templeuabroad.blog. 

You might be wondering who can study abroad, when should I study abroad, or for how long. All full-time, degree-seeking students in good academic and disciplinary standing can study abroad regardless of your major. You might take major course or minor courses, fulfill electives, or gen eds. Proficiency in another language is not required. You can study abroad for a semester, academic year, or summer. 

Generally, we recommend the longer the better, but it really depends on your goals. Longer programs provide more language and cultural immersion, but short-term programs with specific learning goals are a really great fit for some students such as our service learning program in Jamaica.

At Temple you can really study abroad almost anywhere, as long as the U.S. State Department deems it safe to do so. Temple has campuses in Rome and Tokyo that offer a variety of activities and student support. And a range of academic options and internship opportunities year round. Our campus affiliated in Oviedo, Spain focuses on cultural and linguistic immersion. 

Temple Rome is one of the oldest and largest programs in Italy. We have been located at the same campus for over 50 years in the heart of the eternal city, though we have recently renovated our facilities. Temple Rome hosts roughly 150 to 300 study abroad students per term for Temple and other institutions across the U.S. So the campus is small enough to provide an intimate atmosphere, but large enough to offer you a robust student life with activities that introduce you to Italian life and culture. 

You might take a cooking class, engage in discussions with Italians, or volunteer to teach English or work at a soup kitchen. You'll choose from a range of academic offerings, including STEM, with courses that take advantage of the historical and modern resources that Rome has to offer. You can also complete an internship in a variety of fields. So you can gain real world experience in an international setting. 

Tokyo is a dynamic modern world city woven with ancient traditions. In Japan, you'll study alongside degree-seeking students from around the world in a truly international classroom and at our brand-new campus. You can choose from courses in a variety of disciplines with international faculty and participate in the largest internship program in Japan. You can participate in an active student life and activities organized by the campus that take you out into the city and beyond to other areas of Japan.

In both Tokyo and in Rome, most courses are taught in English except for foreign language courses. And you can choose to live in the student residence, find housing on your own, or live with a host family for a more immersive experience. 

If you're interested in becoming fluent in Spanish, the Oviedo program is for you. Located near the north western coast of Spain, this program offers the opportunity for students to live in a smaller university town. During the spring semester, you'll take all of your classes in Spanish and live with a host family. Very few people in Oviedo speak English, so this is really an opportunity to improve your Spanish language skills. A shorter version of this program is also offered in the summer with fewer language requirements, and the option to take a gen ed course in English. 

Exchange programs allow you to enroll in courses at a foreign university for a more immersive experience. You'll learn what it feels like to be a college student in that country. Faculty-led programs are focused on particular subjects and experiences. Some are long-running, while others change. Visit our website this fall for next summer's offerings at studyabroad.temple.edu/summer. 

Several of Temple's schools and colleges offer programs designed for majors in these schools, but they are often open to other students. You can check with these schools and colleges about their opportunities. If none of those options work for you, you're not limited or restricted to Temple programs. You could study abroad in almost any country around the world through our external program partners. You might fulfill major, minor, gen ed, or elective requirements. We'll help you choose a program that's right for you. 

One of the most frequently asked questions is, is study abroad affordable? With proper planning, study abroad can be affordable for any student. Costs vary by program. Temple tuition rates apply to all Temple semester, exchange, and summer programs, while external program fees are determined by the program provider. Financial aid typically can be applied towards study abroad. There are also many study abroad scholarships, Temple program scholarships, internship scholarships in Japan, as well as national scholarships competitions, and scholarships for particular countries, regions, or disciplines. There are also those offered by external program providers. You can visit our website for more details. 

Of course, if you know you are planning to study abroad, you can start saving now. Planning early is key. Watching this presentation is a great start. When you arrive at Temple in the fall, attend Foundations of Study Abroad where we will review all of the basics of study abroad including what type of program might be right for you, and how to apply. You should speak with your academic advisor about your intention to study abroad. They can help you figure out how to build study abroad into your overall academic plan, and still graduate on time. 

If you are a U.S. citizen and have never had a passport, you might qualify for the Passport Scholarship. You must get your passport and apply for the scholarship in your first academic year at Temple. Again, visit our website for more details. To learn more about how you can study abroad at Temple, come and visit us at Tuttleman Learning Center, visit our website at studyabroad.temple.edu or send us an email study.abroad@temple.edu. 

You can also come out to campus events throughout the fall and spring semesters. And follow us on our social media channels where you'll find more student insights. I already mentioned the templeuabroad.blog. Or you can follow us on YouTube, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter. 

Finally, don't be afraid to take a risk. You might miss out on the journey of a lifetime. Thank you for watching. We look forward to welcoming you to Temple University, and to helping you discover a world of opportunity abroad.