Finding your best fit program
As an AU student, there are essentially four ways to study abroad.
You choose the one that's best for you:
# 1 - Be an exchange student at an AU Partner University
Alfred University offers direct exchanges with several partner universities worldwide. These programs are a bit more independent, much like being an international student here at AU, and they offer a cultural deep-dive into your host country since you take regular classes with local students and live in standard student housing. For a list of our current partner universities, go to our homepage > then Programs. Under the filters, choose "Program Option", "AU Partner Universities."
# 2 - Participate in a worldwide exchange through ISEP
Alfred University is proud to be a member of the International Student Exchange Program, a non-profit educational community made up of over 130 colleges and universities around the world, dedicated to helping students overcome the financial and academic barriers to study abroad. These programs are also more independent and offer a great variety of countries you can go to. With that variety of countries comes a variety of courses you can take too! One thing to note about ISEP programs, instead of applying to only one, you actually apply to a list of at least three so you need to be a bit flexible about where you end up. Placements are available for semester, academic or calendar year programs. To see a list of ISEP programs, from the program search page (steps above), select the program option "AU-ISEP Exchange."
# 3 - Choose a comprehensive program through an AU-Approved Study Abroad Organization
Study abroad options worldwide are open to students through our many partnerships with U.S. and international study abroad organizations. Whether you want to go abroad for 2 weeks or a year, there is a program for you! These programs offer a bit more student support, often include fieldtrips to local cultural spots, and have staff in your host country dedicated to your study abroad group. To see a list of the many programs available through approved organizations, from the program search page (steps above), select the program option "AU-Approved Study Abroad Organizations". If you would like to look at more options, you can also check out the websites for the different study abroad companies AU is affiliated with. Even though only some of their programs are listed on abroad.alfred.edu, you are eligible to participate in all of their programs.
AIFS Abroad( https://www.aifsabroad.com ), CIEE ( https://www.ciee.org/go-abroad/college-study-abroad ), SIT Study Abroad ( https://studyabroad.sit.edu/ ), and Arcadia Abroad ( https://studyabroad.arcadia.edu/ )
# 4 - Go abroad with AU faculty and students on an Alfred University Faculty-Led Program
Our faculty lead unique, diverse experiences abroad each year. These can be stand-alone courses, or integrated into a campus-based semester course; they run in May, during the Allen Term, or over Spring Break. Past programs include Cultural Anthropology in Belize, The German Auto Industry, Drawing & Painting in Florence, The Equine Industry in Ireland, Business & Culture of Japan, and the History of Fascism in Italy & Germany. To see a list of past and current study abroad programs, from the program search page (steps above), select the program option "AU Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs."
Courses, Cost, Experience
Of course, many students don't know right away which type of program would be best - but you may have a sense of when you want to go, where, and what you hope to study while you're there. The program search can help you explore your options. Searchable parameters include:
- Country
- Term
- Minimum G.P.A. (at the time of application)
- Program option
- Minimum class standing (before you go abroad)
- Language of instruction
- Housing
- Subject areas
We encourage you to play around with different options to determine your best fit!