Choosing a Program

There are many program options available for study abroad, and it is important for you to choose a program that fits your academic and future goals, personal preferences, curriculum and budget. Use the resources below to find out what program(s) meet your needs.

 

Program Models

There are three basic study abroad program models available to students. Expand the items below for details.

Foreign university study/direct enroll

If you are an independent student looking for a fully immersive study abroad experience, then enrolling into a foreign institution could be a great option for you. When you enroll into a foreign institution, through an exchange program, a study abroad program provider, or directly with the institution, you can choose from a wide variety of courses across the university and typically take classes with local students. Students who take this option are expected to adapt to what is often a more self-directed educational system and quite unlike U.S. universities, so this is a great opportunity for full cultural integration and immersion.

Center / Island Programs

These programs are located in study centers or institutes. They are run by study abroad program providers or U.S. institutions, so courses are more likely similar to courses in the U.S.  You will often choose courses from a set selection, and you will attend classes with other study abroad students.  Previous study of the host country language is often not required. Because you will be in class with and perhaps living with other study abroad students, you may need to take more initiative to integrate with the host culture.

Hybrid / Combined Option

These programs allow students to take one or two courses at a study center along with one or two courses at a host university.  This is a great choice for students looking for aspects of both study center programs and foreign university study.

Comparison chart

Use this chart to determine the type of program that is best for you.

 

Foreign university/direct enroll

Study center/island program

Hybrid/combined option

Student body

Mainly students from the host country

Study abroad students only

Some classes with study abroad students and others with students from the host country

Application process

Enroll directly into a foreign institution or through U.S. study abroad program provider

Apply to a U.S. study abroad program provider

Apply to a U.S. study abroad program provider

Courses

Courses follow educational style of host country; choose from a wide variety of courses across the university

Likely similar to U.S. courses; students often choose from set selection

Choose from a variety of courses offered by host university and set courses from study abroad program provider

Best for students who…

are independent, looking for full immersion in all aspects of their experience

are most comfortable experiencing their host country with other study abroad students

are looking for a combination of both types of programs

Temple Program Types

Program types are specific to Temple University. There are three basic types of programs offered through Temple, and most of them are facilitated by the Education Abroad office at Temple.

Temple Semester, Academic Year and Summer Programs

These are campuses and programs run by Temple, open to Temple and visiting students.

You can study at Temple's campuses in Rome and Tokyo, where you can learn the local language while taking all other classes in English. Or, you can participate in the Temple in Spain program, based in Oviedo, where courses are conducted in Spanish or English. Temple's faculty-led summer programs offer a variety of locations in different disciplines. To learn more about the course offerings and details of these programs, run by Education Abroad and Overseas Campuses, click on the appropriate link below.

Other schools and colleges at Temple offer additional study abroad programs. Check with your school or college to learn about your options.

Temple Exchange Programs

Partnerships with foreign universities, facilitated by Temple University, open to Temple students only.

Exchange programs provide a full immersion experience at a foreign university for a semester or academic year. Typically, you will enroll in university classes with students from the host country and earn transfer credit for the courses you take. Since you pay Temple tuition rates (and in some cases, Temple housing rates), this is a very affordable option for the motivated student. Our exchange locations include: China, England, France, Germany, Korea and Taiwan.

External Programs

Programs run by other institutions that are approved by Temple University, open to Temple students only.

External Programs are study abroad programs administered or sponsored by other colleges and universities, or by various study abroad organizations. External Programs offer virtually unlimited possibilities for students in every major, in nearly any country around the world, and give students a wide array of summer, semester and academic year study abroad options which expand upon the many existing programs already offered through Temple.

Temple School College Guides

Temple school/college guides are a great place to start if you're not sure what program might fit your academic needs best.