Application Process

Washington and Lee offers many study abroad opportunities: from a full year, to a semester, to four weeks in the spring. You can choose a school-offered option or search from the long list of approved programs. Even better, Washington and Lee financial aid can be applied towards your adventure abroad. What are you waiting for?

Getting Started

Explore

Now you're ready to begin thinking about where you would like to study.  Things to consider range from personal and academic goals to finances.  The Offcampus portal provides a list of study abroad options and may be searched by location, GPA, or other program criteria.

Study Abroad Fair

The Center for International Education hosts a study abroad fair each September in Leyburn Library.  This is an excellent chance to meet with our approved study abroad providers and speak to them about different opportunities.  

Choosing a Program

Begin you search for an approved program here.  In reviewing any program, here are some important items to consider:

  • Course offerings - What courses are offered to you? What do you need to take for your W&L requirements?
  • Eligibility requirements - Do you have to have a minimum GPA, language experience, etc.?
  • Application and program schedule - When is the application due and when does the program begin?
  • Calendar - What are the dates of the term(s)?
  • Cost - How much and what does this cover? what does the cost not cover?
  • Housing arrangements - What are your options? Can you live with a host family, in off-campus residence hall or in a campus dormitory? The choice you make may affect the level of interaction you have with local students and culture.
  • Orientation offered - What sort of orientation does the program offer? Is it included in the cost of the program?
  • Residential director or program office on site - Is there a contact person on-site in case you need assistance? Are they easy to contact and communicate with?
  • Health and safety issues -  Are there health and safety concerns in the country?  Do you have health concerns that should be taken into consideration?
  • Other arrangements offered by the program - What else does the program offer you?

Want to speak to a student who has been on the same program?  Ask in the Center for International Education for their contact information.

Meeting with  Advisors

Your academic advisor can help you decide the best time to go abroad and which courses are best to take both on campus and abroad.  Meet with them early to discuss how you will be able to study abroad and stay on track to graduate in four years.

Cindy Irby, in the Center for International Education, can meet with you to discuss specific study abroad options and to answer questions about the study abroad application process.  To schedule an appointment with Cindy, use our online system to select an available time that works best for you.

Apply

The first step in applying is to complete the W&L study abroad application in the Offcampus portal.  Once your application is approved, you will receive more information about what to do next.  This will often include an additional application to the actual program.