In accordance with the University’s mission statement and goals, Pacific University study abroad programs provide students with a unique opportunity to develop skills and knowledge that will prepare them for the diverse community, nation, and world. Pacific University considers international study important and encourages all students to gain exposure to other cultures, languages, and ways of life.
Study abroad is required for all majors in the department of World Languages and Literatures and for a major in International Studies, but is open to all students who meet the selection criteria. Pacific University students who participate in a study abroad program can earn a maximum of 31 credits that will count toward their graduation. However, students should consult with their faculty advisor(s) to determine which courses taken abroad can and cannot be used toward their majors or to satisfy other specific University requirements.
Pacific offers access to a wide array of study abroad programs. European study in England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland and Spain, is available. In China, Pacific has an exchange partnership with Lingnan University, Hong Kong’s only liberal arts university. In Japan, Pacific is affiliated with Kansai Gaidai University in Hirakata, just outside of Osaka, Nagoya University of Foreign Studies, Nanzan University, both in Nagoya, Saga University in northern Kyushu, Rikkyo University and J.F. Oberlin University in Tokyo. In Argentina, students can select from sites in Buenos Aires and Cordoba. In Ecuador, Pacific offers a unique program in the Galapagos Islands. In Mexico, Pacific offers an exciting program, including an optional public health track, in the spectacular colonial city of Merida. Pacific also has successful exchange partnerships in Australia with Flinders University in South Australia, and the University of Western Australia in Perth. Pacific also has an agreement with the Oregon University System (OUS) that gives Pacific students access to OUS programs in France and Germany.
Pacific University reserves the right to cancel programs or to make changes in affiliation at any time for reasons of safety, finances, or administrative concerns. Please consult the International Programs office for up-to-date information on all programs.
Eligibility
To be eligible for overseas study students must demonstrate proper personal and academic preparation for the program, be in good academic and financial standing, and have attended Pacific full-time for at least one semester immediately preceding the study abroad semester(s). In general, applicants are expected to have and maintain an overall GPA of 2.75. Students with a GPA below 2.5 at the time of application will have their applications rescinded. A personal essay, letters of recommendation and, under certain circumstances, a personal interview are also required of applicants.
For students fulfilling the requirements of a language major or minor, or the International Studies major, the completion of 202 or equivalent in the appropriate language and a 3.0 GPA average in language classes are required prior to beginning the program. For students pursuing other majors who wish to study in Japan, China (or Taiwan), or countries in which the official language is French, German or Spanish, successful completion of 102 or equivalent in the appropriate language is required. It is understood that in certain cases these minimum requirements will be superseded by program-specific requirements.
Cost
In general, participants on an approved study abroad program will pay costs equal to Pacific University tuition, room and board with the following exceptions: 1) if the educational costs of a study abroad program exceed $11,000, the participant will be responsible for paying the balance (in addition to their regular Pacific tuition and fees). 2) Participants in some programs will pay accommodation costs directly to the overseas university or homestay family. In these cases, participants are not billed accommodation by Pacific University 3) Participants in some programs will pay for their own meals (self-catering). In these cases, participants are not billed board by Pacific University.
The University extends financial aid for approved study abroad programs taking into account both the total expenses associated with a particular program and the demonstrated need of the individual student. The University may also facilitate student access to study abroad programs not affiliated with Pacific, but no financial aid from Pacific will be awarded for such unaffiliated programs.
Application Deadline
Application to study abroad is a two-step process. The first step is a mandatory advising appointment in the Office of International Programs, which must take place during the fall semester preceding the academic year in which students intend to study abroad. The second step is the program application, which must be submitted to the Office of International Programs at the beginning of second semester (early February) preceding the academic year in which the study abroad program will be undertaken. Earlier deadlines apply for some programs in Germany and France. Check the International Programs website for up-to-date information. Application forms, current cost data, and informational brochures are available in the International Programs Office.
ENGLISH
Australia
Students participating in Pacific’s Australia program attend either Flinders University, in the coastal city of Adelaide, the capital of South Australia, or the University of Western Australia in Perth.
With a population of 1.1 million, Adelaide is a major Australian city with a multicultural population, outstanding natural environment and thriving arts scene. Flinders University is a comprehensive medium-sized university with a total enrollment of 15,000. The campus is set amidst natural bushland with spectacular views of Adelaide and the surrounding coastline. Course offerings at Flinders are spread across 4 faculties, and 20 schools and departments, thus assuring Pacific students a wide range of academic options. Students will integrate fully into the campus, enrolling in 3-4 classes up to a maximum of 18 Flinders units. Housing is provided in Deirdre Jordan Village, a student apartment complex located only a five-minute walk from the main campus.
The University of Western Australia (UWA) in Perth, with an enrollment of 24,000, is one of Australia’s elite universities. The main campus, characterized by a blend of Romanesque and contemporary architecture, as well as lush landscaping, has a spectacular location on the banks of the Swan River, 5-10 minutes from Perth city center by bus and a similar distance from the city’s ocean beaches. UWA offers a comprehensive range of courses, across the following 9 faculties: Architecture, Landscape and Visual Arts; Arts; Education; Engineering, Computing and Mathematics; Indigenous Studies; Law; Medicine, Dentistry and the Health Sciences; and Science. The campus has many centers of excellence, and will provide opportunities for students to access a vast range of courses. Most students will be housed in Trinity College, a vibrant residential community a short walk from the main campus.
China
Pacific has one program in China, a direct exchange partnership with Lingnan University, Hong Kong’s only liberal arts university, which was founded in 1967. The overwhelming majority of classes at Lingnan are taught in English. Lingnan, with an enrollment of 2,600 students, is noted for its welcoming residential environment that would seem familiar to Pacific’s students. Lingnan has a faculty student ratio of approximately 1:12, and prides itself on its Integrated Learning Program, with its focus on whole-person community-centered education, campus community and internationalization. The expansive Service Learning Program, which includes several credit-bearing options, is a key component of LU’s offerings. Lingnan University may be of special interest to students of Business and the social sciences, but is not intended as a site primarily for language learning. Students will be housed in shared dormitory rooms, and will be responsible for their own meals.
Ireland
The University of Limerick is an internationally-focused university with an enrollment of over 11,000 students. It is especially known for its innovation in education and excellence in research. The University is situated on a riverside campus of over 131 hectares with the River Shannon as a unifying focal point. Students may choose from a full range of classes at the University in the following Faculties: College of Humanities, College of Business, College of Engineering and Science, and College of Education. Students will be fully integrated into the academic structure of the university and will be able to enroll in classes in all areas, subject to meeting class prerequisites and availability. Housing will be provided in residence halls close to campus.
England
London South Bank University (LSBU) offers students the opportunity to study in Western Europe’s most culturally diverse and vibrant capital. London offers a rich historical heritage, world-class theatre, superb museums and art galleries, and easy access to many major European cities. Students can participate for one semester or for a full academic year. LSBU, with an enrollment of 19,000 students drawn from over 130 countries, is on the doorstep of Central London. A key point of distinctiveness is LSBU’s multicultural character - with 52% of its students classified as “non-white” it fully reflects the cultural and ethnic diversity of the City of London. LSBU offers a wide array of course options, from business management to engineering or science. Study abroad students at LSBU study alongside degree seeking students for a fully integrated experience. They will be housed in residence halls located a short distance from the campus.
St. Mary’s University, in the West London suburb of Strawberry Hill, has an enrollment of 5,000 students and offers classes in a variety of fields including media arts, exercise science, English literature, creative writing, sociology, business, drama and many more. St. Mary’s picturesque 30-acre campus includes the 18th century estate and mansion of the British author Sir Horace Walpole. The College is a short walk from Twickenham High Street (a shopping district) and Richmond Park, while London’s museums, concert halls, theatres, galleries and nightlife are only 30 minutes away by train. Participants will integrate fully into the life of the college as they take classes with British students. They will be housed in homestays located a short distance from the campus or in residence halls.
York St. John University, founded in 1841 and with a current enrollment of approximately 5,000, is located in a setting of unparalleled attractiveness, only a 5-minute walk from the bustling center, and in the shadow of York Minster Cathedral and the medieval city walls. Northern England’s spiritual capital for 2000 years, York has played a key role in British history under the Romans, Saxons and Vikings. York is a compact riverside city offering stunning attractions ranging from York Minster, the largest Gothic cathedral in Northern Europe, to the tangle of picturesque medieval streets for which the city is famed. York is centrally located only two hours by train from London and Edinburgh respectively and, with nearby Leeds Airport well connected to the continent by discount airlines, also offers inexpensive access to Europe’s major cities. Participants integrate fully into campus life as they take classes with British students, and live in residence halls.
Hungary
Budapest, the capital of Hungary, is the setting for the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics (BSM) and the Budapest Semesters in Mathematics Education (BSME) programs. BSM and BSME, which are administered and transcripted by St. Olaf College in Minnesota, are taught in English and targeted specifically to students in mathematics, mathematics education and computer science (and closely related fields). The Budapest Semesters in Mathematics (BSM) program began in Spring Semester 1985, and had its roots in the rich mathematical tradition of Hungary. BSM provides a unique opportunity for US undergraduate students, typically mathematics and computer science majors, to spend a semester in Budapest and study under some of Hungary’s most eminent mathematicians. The semester program includes 14 weeks of instruction and one week of final exams. Classes meet two to three times per week, and emphasize those elements for which the Hungarian method of teaching mathematics is best known, stressing problem solving, student creativity and group projects. Budapest Semesters in Mathematics Education (BSME) is an outgrowth of the BSM program. It is a semester-long program designed for undergraduates and recent graduates interested in the learning and teaching of secondary mathematics. In BSME, participants will experience the Hungarian approach to teaching Mathematics, and examine ways in which they can integrate this pedagogy into their own future classrooms. They observe Hungarian mathematics classrooms and are given the opportunity to plan and teach their own lessons to Hungarian students (in English).
FRENCH
The Academic Programs International (API) program in Grenoble, a vibrant city in the French Alps, provides students with the opportunity to study in an intensive French or a language and culture studies track at the Centre Universitaire d’Études Françaises (CUEF) at Université Grenoble Alpes. The Université Grenoble Alpes was established in 1339 and is one of the oldest in Europe. The university is well-known for its programs for foreigners learning French, and has welcomed international students from all over the world for over a century.
The Academic Programs International (API) program in Paris provides students with the opportunity to study French language and culture with other international students at the Catholic University of Paris. Superior-level students at the Catholic University of Paris can choose to take up to two integrated courses with French students. Additional options are also available at the Université Paris Diderot, the Université Paris Dauphine and the Paris Business School. Housing is provided in residence halls or homestays.
The IE3 Global year-long program in Lyon offers students a chance to explore France’s second largest city. The program begins with an intensive language program and then continues at the Centre International d’Etudes Françaises with the opportunity to take selected regular courses at four different universities in Lyon. Advanced students who pass a qualifying exam may also opt to take all of their courses in the French universities that participate in the program. There are a wide variety of housing options, ranging from homestays with families, to sharing apartments with French students, to staying in university dormitories. This program is for the full academic year only.
The University of Minnesota’s program in Montpellier, France offers a comprehensive academic and cultural experience at the intermediate and advanced language levels at the Université Paul Valéry. Montpellier is located in southern France, ten miles away from the Mediterranean. Classes are held at the Université Paul Valéry and are taught by faculty from the University. Housing options vary and include homestays, dormitory or apartment living.
GERMAN
An exchange partnership between Pacific University and Otto-Friedrich Universität in Bamberg enables students to study in one of the most beautiful medieval towns in Germany. Situated on the banks of the Regnitz River in the region of Upper Franconia in Bavaria, Bamberg is a compact, stunning town of narrow medieval streets, churches, palaces and a striking 12th-century cathedral. In 1993, reflecting the rich and diverse architecture spawned by its long history as an imperial and religious center, Bamberg was designated a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Founded in 1647, Otto-Friedrich-Universität consists of five faculties: Information Systems and Applied Computer Science: Social Sciences, Economics and Business Administration; Humanities and Cultural Studies: Human Science and Education; and Catholic Theology. The most recent ranking by the CHE-Ranking Agency (Centre for Higher Education Development) placed the German Department at the Universität Bamberg in the highest tier of German universities for its individualized attention to students and its faculty. The university offers a wide range of excellent support services. Participants will be accommodated in student residences throughout Bamberg. While housing is guaranteed students will be responsible for paying their housing costs on-site in Bamberg.
The IE3 Global program in the state of Baden-Württemberg, the German sister state to Oregon, begins (for students on the year-long program) with a four-week program of intensive German. This is followed by study in regular German university courses at any one of twelve different universities, each with its own distinctive academic emphasis. These are located in the cities of Stuttgart, Tübingen, Konstanz, Hohenheim, Ulm, Freiburg, Heidelberg, Ludwigsburg, Mannheim, and Karlsruhe. In addition, students with special interests in music and education may enroll at three more specialized institutions in Stuttgart and Trossingen , although an audition and/or portfolio may be required for admission to the music and art schools.
JAPANESE
Pacific University enjoys a sister school relationship with six Japanese universities that allow Pacific students to enroll in their study abroad programs in Japan for either a semester or a full year.
Academic offerings at the Nagoya University of Foreign Studies include an intensive Japanese program in a vibrant campus atmosphere. Nanzan University, also in Nagoya City, offers a rigorous and highly-regarded Japanese Studies program. Kansai Gaidai University is located in Hirakata near Osaka and half an hour train ride from Kyoto and Nara, the cultural and religious centers of traditional Japan, and offers a comprehensive Asian Studies program. Saga University, in Saga City, offers a year-long program, and is unique because of its wide-ranging course offerings in the sciences. J.F. Oberlin University and Rikkyo University, Pacific’s newest partner, provide students with the opportunity to study in Tokyo, Japan’s vibrant capital city. All programs offer Japanese language classes and courses, taught in English, on Japanese business and the history and culture of Japan. Depending on the school, students may live either in residence halls or in a home stay with a Japanese family.
SPANISH
Argentina
The Buenos Aires program, provides academic options at two universities, the Universidad de Belgrano and the Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, giving students the opportunity to study and live in the city that stands at the center of Argentine cultural and political life. The Universidad de Belgrano, which is located in the historic upper-middle class district of Belgrano, provides our students with both an intensive Spanish option and a Latin American and Argentine Studies option. The Universidad Torcuato Di Tella, the top-ranked private university in Argentina, allows students to select a combination of classes taught in Spanish and English.
The Cordoba program is based at the Universidad Nacional de Cordoba (UNC), in the city of Cordoba. Founded in 1610, UNC is the fourth oldest university in South America and, at 111,000 students and 13 faculties, the second largest university in Argentina after the University of Buenos Aires. The program offers two separate academic tracks: Advanced Spanish Studies and Semi-Integrated Spanish Studies. Additionally, there is an Internship/Service Learning track.
Ecuador
Pacific students have a unique opportunity to spend a semester experiencing the Galapagos Islands on a satellite campus of the Universidad San Francisco de Quito. They can opt to enroll in one of four program tracks: Evolution, Ecology and Conservation in the Galapagos; People, Politics and the Environment; Marine Ecology; or Sustainable Tourism, subject to prerequisites and program availability. The semester-long programs each consist of five intensive 3-credit courses, all taught in three-week modules. Students on the Galapagos program live with local families in the town of San Cristobal.
Mexico
The IFSA-Butler Merida Universities Program provides students the opportunity to combine coursework offered by IFSA-Butler with fully integrated classes taught in Spanish at the Universidad Autonoma de Yucatan (UADY) or the Universidad Modelo (UM) in the City of Merida, capital of the Mexican state of Yucatan, a colonial city with a strong Mayan cultural presence. UADY, founded in 1922, is the largest and oldest university in southeastern Mexico, while Universidad Modelo, founded in 1988, is a private, secular university with a self-contained campus and enrollment of approximately 3,000 undergraduates. The program, which requires a minimum of 4 semesters of college-level Spanish, also has a public health track, which offers students in-depth exploration of the subject by completing coursework on public health and life sciences at UADY, and working with local health professionals in rural and urban settings to examine traditional and non-traditional approaches to health care.
Spain
Yearlong or semester programs are available through Academic Programs International (API) at the University of Salamanca, University of Seville and Pablo de Olavide University in Seville. The programs in both Salamanca and Seville allow students to combine language courses with other humanities and social science classes taught in Spanish to international students, while the program at Pablo de Olavide additionally offers many English-taught classes. Students at an advanced level of Spanish language proficiency also have the option of taking integrated classes with Spanish students in Salamanca.
Short-Term Programs
Various exciting credit-earning overseas study programs are also available during Pacific’s winter term and following spring semester. These programs are faculty-led and vary from year to year. Recent program destinations have included Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, France, Greece, India, Spain, Austria, and England. For a schedule of upcoming Short-Term Programs, visit the International Programs web site.
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