Deadlines

For a summer abroad, you will need to fill out an RMU application and an application to your program abroad.

RMU application deadlines typically fall before program application deadlines, but you should double check your program deadline to make sure you are meeting both application deadlines.

Note that many study abroad scholarship deadlines fall before application deadlines. If you plan to apply for scholarships, start early!

Recommended RMU Application deadline for any Summer program: February 28th.

Cost

The cost of a summer program abroad varies by location, length, and number of credits. Typical costs are approximately $1,000/week abroad plus the cost of your flight. Look for the cost of each program on its webpage, and consider applying to scholarships to help make a summer abroad more affordable.

The resources below can be useful for you in planning your budget for a semester abroad:

• Create a budget for a semester abroad (worksheet)
• Scholarship/Grant Tax Information Worksheet - If you received a scholarship or grant for studying abroad, use this worksheet to determine what taxes, if any, you owe on the money received.

Eligibility

In order to participate in a summer abroad, RMU students must:

• have earned 45 credits at RMU, not including transfer/AP credits*
• not be in their final semester of study at RMU
• have at least a 2.5 cumulative GPA**
• have a clean disciplinary record at RMU OR be willing to discuss their record with a study abroad advisor, who will approve/deny eligibility based on the conversation

*Transfer students may speak to their study abroad advisor about this requirement.

**Some programs have a higher requirement than this.

Locations

RMU students are able to choose their own program for a summer abroad, which means that you can find a program that is perfect for you and your needs!

See below more information on Summer 2025 study abroad opportunities:

• Paris, France: The American Business School of Paris - This 6-8 week program offers mostly business courses. Note that this program is not AACSB-accredited, so Rockwell School of Business students can only take courses here to substitute for RMU courses at the 1000-2000 level. Some cultural studies courses are also available as open electives or RMU Core courses. Students take two courses.
• Dortmund, Germany: TU Dortmund - This 8-week program has a required German Language course and a required Germany - Politics, Culture, and Society course. Students can also choose an additional 1-3 courses in Engineering, Humanities, or a Research Project.
• Limerick, Ireland: University of Limerick - This 3-week program offers courses in Irish Studies, Health Sciences, or Law. Students will take one course.
• Rome, Italy: American University of Rome - This program has a 4 or 8 week option. Courses are still being finalized for Spring 2025, but are often offered in Fine Arts, Media Arts, and Communications. This program is a good fit for School of Communication and Media students, or any students with Open Electives available. Students take one or two courses.
• Madrid, Spain: Nebrija University - This 4-week program has sessions in June or July. Note that this program is not AACSB-accredited, so Rockwell School of Business students can only take courses here to substitute for RMU courses at the 1000-2000 level. Spanish studies courses are also available as Open Electives or RMU Core courses. Students take two courses.

You can also search for other programs with the providers RMU partners with, listed below:

• API
• CEA CAPA
• CIEE
• CIS Abroad
• ISA
• TEAN

Don’t forget options to intern abroad over the summer!

Note that business majors must attend a program that is AACSB-accredited if they wish to take 3000- or 4000-level courses in their major.

Students should meet with a study abroad advisor before starting an application to a study abroad program.

How to Apply

Pre-Application

• Interest Form - submit this form to be receive emails about studying abroad. You will need to be signed into your RMU account for this form to work.
• Pre-Advising Goals Form - this must be completed before your first advising meeting
• Make an advising appointment with Karis or Jessica.
• Talk to your academic advisor about your plans to study abroad, and work with them to save electives and general courses (e.g., History, Literature, Principles of _____, etc.) to take while you are abroad.
• Apply for your Passport now! It's never too early to get your passport, and delays could cost you more money.

RMU Application

Note that your application must be complete before you will be nominated and able to apply to your study abroad program. Please consider this when determining appropriate timelines.

• RMU Application Materials
• Summer Abroad Course Transfer Form

Program Application

Your study abroad advisor will not nominate you to complete your program’s application until after your RMU application is complete and approved. You will receive information about your program’s application at that time.

Passport and Visa Requirements

Passports

Your passport is issued by the country where you are a citizen. It is an identity document.

Some countries require that your U.S. passport be valid not only for the duration of your visit, but also for up to six months after your entry or return from their country. This means you have to check your passport expiration date carefully. For example, if your passport expires on January 1, 2021, and you want to return home in August 2020, you will need to renew your passport before you go. 

Visas

A visa is a sticker put in your passport by the country you are going to. It gives you permission to enter the country for a specific purpose, such as studying or working. Many countries allow US citizens to enter as a tourist without a visa but require students to apply for a visa. 

Every country's visa requirements differ. You should receive information from your host university or program provider once you are accepted about the visa process. If you do not feel like you are getting this information in a timely manner or have questions about the process, please reach out to your study abroad advisor.

Grading

Grades earned on a summer abroad program are brought back to RMU as transfer credit, provided that you earn the equivalent of a C or better in the course. Grades do not factor into your GPA.

For Parents

Click here to read RMU's Parents' Guide to Study Abroad.