Students may begin to explore study abroad as early as their first year. To begin, students may attend an information session, schedule an appointment with a study abroad advisor, and browse the study abroad website to understand the wide array of opportunities. 

CMU students may study, work or research abroad using one of many types of established programs, including exchange partnerships with overseas universities, pre-approved sponsored study abroad programs, and external study abroad providers and universities. The university has an inclusive approach that allows for students from all majors and with varied financial resources to study abroad. 

To learn more about study abroad, peruse our comprehensive website, talk to your child, and feel free to speak with a study abroad advisor.

Parents and families can support students by encouraging safe behavior and recommending that their children follow the advice of the study abroad advisors, the overseas host program or university, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and US Department of State. In addition, our Health & Safety webpage will provide families with a good idea of the information that students have received from OIE. 

In study abroad, as in other settings, parents, guardians, and families can play an important role in the health and safety of participants by helping them make decisions and by influencing their behavior overseas. Parents/guardians/families should:

• Be informed about and involved in the decision of their student to enroll in a particular program.
• Obtain and carefully evaluate student's program materials, as well as related health, safety, and security information.
• Discuss with the student any of their travel plans and activities that may be independent of the study abroad program.
• Engage the student in a thorough discussion of safety and behavior issues, insurance needs, and emergency procedures related to living abroad.
• Be responsive to requests from the program sponsor for information regarding the student.
• Keep in touch with the student.
• Be aware that the student rather than the program may most appropriately provide some information.

Parents who have questions or concerns before, during or after their student's study abroad experience are invited to contact a study abroad advisor.

For fall, spring, or academic year programs, families and students have options regarding how to make payments based on the type of study abroad program selected.  If a student chooses an exchange program or sponsored study abroad program, payment will be made directly to Carnegie Mellon. Students who pay through Carnegie Mellon are eligible for scholarships, grants, financial aid and loans (except work study). To determine if a sponsored program is an appropriate financial choice for your student, please complete the Sponsored Financial Worksheet (xls).

If a student selects to enroll directly through an external program or at an overseas university, payment will be made directly to the program or overseas university, not to Carnegie Mellon. All summer and short-term programs are considered external programs for billing purposes.

These examples may help to illustrate the options:

• Exchange: Morgan receives an undergraduate grant from Carnegie Mellon. Morgan chose the EPFL exchange in Switzerland because of the curricular fit in engineering and long-standing reputation of the program. Morgan and their parents will pay the current standard Carnegie Mellon tuition amount and maintain all financial aid. They will separately pay for room, board, travel and miscellaneous expenses, out of pocket. 
• Sponsored Programs: Jamie receives a university grant and other scholarships that cover most of their tuition each semester. They chose a sponsored program in Spain because of the curricular fit, their interest in Spanish culture and their funding. Jamie and their family will pay the current standard tuition, room and board through Carnegie Mellon and maintain all funding. Carnegie Mellon distributes the tuition to the study abroad programs and allocates a fund to the students for room, board, travel, and educational expenses, where appropriate.
• External Programs: Taylor receives a federal direct loan. Taylor chose an external program in China operated by a well-respected study abroad organization that offers many US-style services. In this case, Taylor does not pay Carnegie Mellon tuition, but can use their federal direct loan to study abroad. Taylor and their family will pay directly to the study abroad program which may or may not cover all of the room, board and travel expenses; this varies by program.
• Summer: Dylan will study abroad in Peru during the summer because this plan fits best into their busy academic schedule. The expenses for Dylan's summer program are about $5,000. Dylan cannot use any of their federal, state or Carnegie Mellon aid for various reasons. By planning well in advance, Dylan was able to secure $2,000 in study abroad scholarships; all other costs will be paid by Dylan and their family, out of pocket.

Determining the best study abroad program option and understanding the financial implications can be complicated. Please contact a study abroad advisor to discuss your student’s individual needs.

Every year, returned students share stories about the impact of study abroad with the Carnegie Mellon community by participating in interviews, joining the e-peer advisory so that they can provide advice and insight to their fellow students, and entering the annual Study Abroad Photo Contest. 

Students who have recently returned from studying abroad may also go through a readjustment period. The Office of International Education maintains a webpage with information about readjustment and strategies for self-care.

Each student will experience study abroad differently, depending on a variety of factors. Our advisors assist students throughout the process so that they are better able to anticipate, process, and maximize the impacts of their study abroad experiences. Parents who have questions about the value and implications of study abroad may contact an advisor.