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STUDIES ABROAD
Lamar University aspires to prepare its students for leadership and lifelong learning in a multicultural world. Thus, the university both encouragers and supports students who wish to participate in study abroad programs that have the potential to broaden their cultural horizons. As required by the Texas Coordinating Board of Higher Education, Lamar students who enroll in study abroad courses must know that more than 50% of the instructional contact hours will be met outside of the United States.
In recent years, Lamar students have taken part in study abroad programs in China, England, France, Germany, Italy, Ireland, Mexico, and Spain. Although students do have an opportunity to pursue study abroad in whatever country they might wish, the Advisory Committee may deny funding for study in foreign countries to which travel is discouraged by the U.S. State Department.
Students may enroll in almost any college-level course or courses, yet some particularly apt courses for study include art, architecture, dance, economics, education, fashion design, foreign languages, geology, history, literature, music, political science, and sociology
There are four ways that a Lamar student might participate in study abroad: 1. Enroll in a Lamar University faculty-led program. 2. Enroll in is a study-abroad program offered by an American university that has agreed to permit Lamar students to take their courses for transfer credit to Lamar. The university currently has transfer-of-credit agreements with American institutions that conduct programs in London, Spain, Mexico, Rural France, Italy, and the German-Swiss border. 3. Enroll in a study-abroad program offered by an American university that does not have a transfer-of-credit agreement with Lamar. This being the case, the student must provide evidence that the earned credit hours will transfer to Lamar and will apply to the student’s degree plan. 4. Enroll for a summer term or a long semester at a foreign university of the student’s choice, with the same stipulations regarding transfer-of-credit.
Students may apply for an International Education Fee Grant (IEFG) through the office of Global Studies and Study Abroad. Each long semester, students enrolled at Lamar pay a $2 Study Abroad Fee; this money is then pooled and made available to students who want to study in foreign countries. The Director of Global Studies and Study Abroad, in consultation with and the Advisory Committee,is responsible for managing the IEFG budget. In addition, local and national scholarships are available from external sources. Loans, too, may be available through the Lamar University Financial Aid office. Of course, students are encouraged to save and budget their personal finances in order to take part in study abroad programs.
Students currently enrolled in degree-granting programs at Lamar University are eligible to apply for an IEFG. All applicants must be Texas Success Initiative (TSI) compliant, and be in good standing with the university (2.0 grade point average for undergraduates students and 3.0 for graduate students) are eligible. International students may receive grants, but not for study in their home countries, nor for their study at Lamar. Students on academic or disciplinary probation, or who are delinquent in their financial obligations to Lamar University are not eligible. Please look further at the eligibility guidelines by clicking on the International Education Fee Grant Guidelines.
The answer to this question may depend both on the type of program in which a student plans to enroll and the length of time that a student plans to study abroad. A student who enrolls in a Lamar University faculty-led study abroad program typically will be awarded twice the amount of money as would a student who enrolls in study abroad program offered through another university for the approximate same length of time. a. IEFG award for participation in a study abroad course/program offered through another university
b. IEFG award for participation in a study abroad course/program offered through Lamar University
For 2009, assume for illustrative purposes that the minimum IEFG (X) will be $400. Whereas a student who enrolls in a semester-long study abroad course offered through another university would receive an IEFG of $1,600 (4X=$1,600), a student who enrolls in a Lamar University faculty-led and semester-long study abroad course would receive an IEFG of $3,200 (8X=$3,200).
The minimum IEFG award varies from year to year as a consequence of either increases or decreases in student enrollment. Whereas the minimum IEFG may be as little as $200 during a year in which enrollment significantly decreases, the IEFG may be notably higher than $400 during a year in which enrollment significantly increases.
To learn more about Lamar University’s IEFG awards, refer to the International Education Fee Grant Guidelines. If you already know about the program in which you wish to participate, (1) review the Checklist, (2) download the applicable Forms, and (3) complete the Application Procedures.
Once you have completed the application process, the Coordinator for Global Studies and Study Abroad will be your point of contact. Queries and questions from that time forward should be sent to Ms. Norma Zarzosa at nlzarzosa@my.lamar. edu.
For more specific information about study abroad programs offered through other American and foreign universities, simply click on Web Links to Other Study Abroad Programs.
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Home| Application Information |International Education Grant | Application Procedures | Grant Guidelines | | Transfer Certification | Study Abroad Application | Grant Acceptance Agreement | Links | FAQ |  1996 - 2006, Lamar University. All Rights Reserved. A Member of The Texas State University System Last Revised: 12/9/08 Webmaster: Yogesh Sanghi ysanghi@lamar.edu |
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