What to know about studying abroad

You can fulfill degree requirements while seeing the world, but the sooner you act, the better.

In a meeting on Thursday, Sept. 11, Malu Takahashi from the Global Education Office went over important information about the study abroad program at Shippensburg University.

She shared important information about passports and the possibly that a student visa is required when studying abroad. Students who need a passport can visit the post office in downtown Shippensburg to get their passport processed. Students are also responsible for scheduling and paying for flights, but the Global Education Center will give recommendations.

A trip that was highlighted during the presentation included visiting three countries: Germany, the Czech Republic and Austria. This trip allows students to learn about German beer culture while also receiving credits. The trip also fulfills two gen-ed requirements: Global Perspectives and Environmental Sustainability.

The Global Education Office offers trips in a variety of time periods for students. Some trips take place during Winter or Summer break, whereas some are yearlong.

To be eligible to study abroad, a student must have a minimum of 30 credits, be in good academic standing and have a good judicial standing with no problematic or legal issues on record.

Students may also use their financial aid while studying abroad to cut down on costs. There are also various scholarships students can apply to before studying abroad. For more information, students can contact the Financial Aid Office.

Students are responsible for securing their housing on study abroad trips, and the Global Education Center can help students through the process. Students can choose from a variety of housing options including an apartment, university dorm or living with a host family.

Deadlines to sign up for the 2026 Winter and Spring study abroad programs are on Friday, Oct. 3. The due date to sign up for Summer and Fall programs is March 27, 2026.

For more information, you can contact the Global Education Office at (717) 477-1279 or by email at globaleducation@ship.edu. To see all available study abroad programs through Shippensburg University, visit https://www.ship.edu/academics/specialty-programs/study-abroad.