Study Abroad

Beyond the Black Hills with BHSU Study Abroad

Gain amazing academic and professional experiences to learn, grow, and enhance your future through BHSU's diverse international study opportunities.

Top 10 Reasons to Study Abroad

1. Learn about yourself through a new lens and gain an appreciation for your own culture and home.

2. Take fun and interesting classes abroad that your home university can't offer on its campus. You can even learn a language or new skillset.

3. Experience and learn history where it occurred! The world is your classroom!

4. Increase your adaptability, creative problem-solving skills, and critical thinking. You will become more independent and realize how capable you are.

5. Do some soul searching. You will be alone with time to think and re-evaluate. You may realize your values changing or feel yourself growing and stretching in different ways you didn't even think were possible.

6. Advance your career path by developing your resume and showing that you are comfortable working in culturally diverse environments and comfortable overcoming adversity. Employers value these skillsets!

7. Expand your network. You'll meet so many new people from all over the world.

8. Live like a local rather than visit like a tourist.

9. Explore! There is a great big world out there, experience what it has to offer!

10. You will view the world from a new perspective. The way you perceived the world growing up in the United States, specifically in your hometown, is most likely, not the same way that others view the world. You'll realize that previously what you thought might be right vs. wrong, might actually just be different.

Application & Deadlines

For summer and fall study abroad courses, apply by .

For spring study abroad courses, apply by .

Steps:

  1. Complete the online application below
  2. Receive the Preparation Guide from your Study Abroad Advisor and use it to prepare for your program.
  3. Meet regularly with the Study Abroad Advisor and your academic advisor to ensure your program is approved and credit transfer is approved. (visas, plane tickets, etc.)
  4. Hand in your Preparation Packet Guide by the deadline.
  5. BUZZ ABROAD!

Study Abroad Application

Scholarships & Finance

The U.S. Department of Education permits schools to release federal aid for payment toward a study abroad program as long as the program is approved for credit by your home institution and applies towards a degree. This means any amount you are awarded through F.A.F.S.A for the year may be used for study abroad, as long as you are taking the courses through your home university. This includes loans and grants. After meeting with the Study Abroad Advisor, schedule an advising appointment with the Student Financial Services Office to discuss how aid may apply to your study abroad program. Their phone number is 605.642.6145.

The U.S. Department of State’s Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship is a grant program that enables students of limited financial means to study or intern abroad, thereby gaining skills critical to our national security and economic competitiveness. Recipients can be awarded up to $5,000 to put toward a study abroad program. Applicants must be Pell Grant Eligible.

Learn more now!

The John McCain International Scholarship for the Children of Military Families is a scholarship created for undergraduate students who are a child dependent of active duty military member(s) to study abroad with awards of up to $5000. 

Learn more now!

Depending on the type of program you are participating in, there may be scholarships offered directly from that university or provider. Be sure to check their websites for scholarships offered to partner programs or affiliated universities. Specifically, programs like AIFS, ISA, and World Endeavors all offer BHSU students scholarships or discounts due to our affiliations!

The mission of the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is to provide scholarships and ongoing support to students with financial need who are underrepresented among the U.S. study-abroad population. FEA makes life-changing, international experiences accessible to all by supporting students of color, community college, and first-generation college students before, during, and after they participate in education abroad programs.

Learn more now!

At HI USA you get the opportunity to explore the World with support from a travel scholarship.

Learn more now!

Frequently Asked Questions

It is no secret that studying abroad can, and often does, become the most enriching and unforgettable experience one can have in college. Many say it helped shape them and enriched their understanding of the world. When studying abroad, you fully immerse yourself into a new culture that is often very different from your own. You also find you have to rely on yourself and that you have to stretch your wings a little further than you had to back home, and this helps you learn how to adapt. Studying abroad pushes you out of your comfort zone, but there you learn tolerance, independence, and an appreciation for others.

Starting early is the best. When you start early, you have time to research in depth the different programs and find one that really fits what you are looking for and what you need academically. It is best to start planning a semester to a year before you would like to go. Make sure to keep an eye out on our application deadlines!

Not at all! Some programs do have a language prerequisite and may only offer courses in the host country’s language. There are many other study abroad programs offered in English, all over the world, and this does not mean you are limited to studying in English-speaking countries like England or Australia!

Studying abroad can be easily comparable to the BHSU tuition, and sometimes even cheaper. The cost will vary depending on your program, destination, personal expenses, and fees. With this said, there are many scholarships and financial aid available to be used for your study abroad experience!

Absolutely! With proper planning and starting ahead, it is easy to select courses that will not disrupt your sequence, and can actually help get some classes out of the way! Still worried about a disruption? You can choose to study for a shorter amount of time then a semester, like a summer term!

There are several options for studying abroad lengths, ranging from a few weeks, to a whole academic year. BHSU offers faculty-led programs that run roughly one to two weeks. Then different partners of BHSU offer Summer courses that run four to six weeks. With internships, you are able to set a timeline for how long you want to intern abroad. Student teaching is also offered for six to 10 weeks. Finally, we have semester and year long programs for students to study abroad with!

Different programs offer different housing options, but here are the three main ones!

Dormitory Housing - Much like what we offer for on-campus housing, dorms are available with many programs where you can have a roommate or two and a shared area, as well as community areas available within the building.

Host Family - When in a host country, you may also have the chance to have a host family, which is a family native to your host country that you will stay with for the duration of your program. This is great for people who fully want to immerse themselves into the country's culture. A host family will feed you and lodge you, yet may not speak your native language at all. Some students say the host family was the most eye-opening experience of their whole program.

Apartment Living - Some programs allow you to find your own housing off campus, within the local area. There, you can choose if you need a roommate or if you are going solo.


study abroad

Featured Study Abroad Students

 

Exchange Programs & Providers

A partner university is a school in another country with which Black Hills State has formed an agreement. If choosing to study at a Partner University, a BHSU student will pay BHSU tuition while attending. An exchange with a partner university can last a semester or a year, with some universities offering shortened summer programs as well. These programs are often taught in English and offer an abundance of class options. BHSU offers programs with several different universities, all offering different programs.

A provider is a study abroad opportunity that is administered by an approved program, with whom we have an agreement with. The programs can span from a summer, semester, and up to a year abroad, and include opportunities like boarding a ship with Semester at Sea and traveling across the globe, participating in an internship in your field, student teaching abroad, or enrolling in a university overseas with AIFS or ISA. BHSU offers many programs, so be sure to explore them all.

Studying abroad is challenging, both in preparation but also during your time abroad. We are here to help you along your way and support you throughout your planning process as well as throughout the duration of your program. Participation in one of BHSU's study abroad programs guarantees that you maintain your student status and the benefits that status holds, including Disability Services, BHSU Health Center, Title IX, advising, your Yellowjacket email account, etc. We have gathered a small list of some helpful resources to make your journey a little easier! Please take a look around below and utilize the tabs on the side to get ready to BUZZ ABROAD!
   


Safe Traveler Enrollment Program: (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens traveling abroad to enroll in their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy. It is highly recommended and extremely helpful in case of emergency!



Center for Disease Control and Prevention: It is critical for you to utilize the (CDC) for the most current and up-to-date information regarding traveler health and safety. Please review the country-specific data to determine if you need any immunizations to enter your destination country and to consider if there are other health and safety concerns. It is also recommended that you discuss your travel plans with a physician (at the very least check in with BHSU Health Services).



Safety Abroad: Travel.State.Gov is a resource provided by the US Department of State to access the most current and up-to-date information regarding travel safety abroad. Please review your country destination profile to determine if there are entry requirements for your study abroad location and if there are any associated travel warnings. Please note that University policy restricts travel to countries with a level 3 or 4 travel advisory issued by the US State Department.



Disability Services: If you need a reasonable and appropriate accommodation to allow full and equal access to your study abroad program, please let us know so that we can work together with BHSU Disability Services and your program provider.



Title IX: BHSU has the responsibility to protect every student's right to learn in an environment free from unlawful discrimination. As a BHSU student abroad, these rights follow and protect you. Learn more about Title IX at BHSU now



Currency: Do you know the value of your US dollar in your country of destination? Check out the 9 Best Currency Converter Apps for Android

Insurance: all SDBOR students studying abroad must enroll in CISI. This insurance provides extensive coverage for situations such as emergency evacuation and repatriation, as well as reimbursements for minor health care costs abroad. The cost of insurance will be applied directly to your BHSU student bill.



Language: Although it may not be required to be proficient in the language of your host country, it is still a good idea to prepare with general phrases and greetings to get you started upon arrival. We recommend using Google TranslateDuo, and other free language learning apps to help you on the go!



Flights: Booking flights is the responsibility of the student for all study abroad programs, unless it is communicated by a program leader that flights are included as group travel during a BHSU-Led Program. Get advice from FORBES on how to find cheap flights, but also look around at resources such as Student Universe. Program providers like AIFS can often offer flight packages for convenience. We are happy to visit with you during advising sessions to help make recommendations and give unofficial advice based on personal preferences and former travel experiences.



Packing Tips: Our friends at AIFS have some TIPS on how to pack as you prepare to study abroad.



More Tips: Hear directly from students who have participated in ISA programs by visiting ISA's student blog site and get the low-down on a variety of topics!

What is a visa? Authorization granted by a country to a foreigner, allowing for someone to enter and remain in a country. A visa will include limits on the duration of the foreigner's stay, areas within the country they may enter, the dates they may enter, the number of permitted visits, or an individual's right to work or study during their visit.

How do I find out if I need a visa? It is best to check with Travel.State.Gov and the local embassy to which you will be traveling. Additionally, whichever program you are applying to will often provide some assistance for you as you determine if a visa is necessary or not. Although BHSU International Relations Office can also help assist you, we are not responsible and not eligible to apply for a visa on your behalf. There can be additional costs associated with applying for a visa, often which require traveling in person to a local embassy, paying carrier services, or shipping fees. All study abroad students are responsible for determining if a visa is required for their program, applying for the visa, and ensuring they have the proper permission to enter the study abroad destination. BHSU is not responsible if a visa application is denied.

As a parent, we know you want what is best for your child. We also know that what is “best” is not always clear, however, in today's globalized world, a chance to study abroad can only be seen as a positive, as globalization in today's world affects everyone. It gives students a chance to interact beyond our borders and increase national diplomacy!

For more information on how to better prepare yourself for when your child goes abroad, read A Parent Guide to Study Abroad!

If your student has an emergency abroad, please contact the BHSU Public Safety on-call number at 605.641.6988. For non-emergency-related issues or concerns, you may call 605.642.6942 and/or email International@BHSU.edu.

A Parent Guide to Study Abroad

 

Justin

I made quite a few close friends. Of those friends, about half were Slovenian and half were foreign students like me. I lived in a dormitory that was predominantly Slovenian students. They were welcoming and hosted events often. During the holiday season, they taught us how to make Slovenian desserts and mulled wine.

Justin Logue (Spring 2019, Slovenia)