Education Abroad
Loras College is globally connected to provide students unique learning experiences around the world. Whether students are looking to enhance their foreign language skills or simply to immerse themselves in a different culture, the Center for Experiential Learning helps students identify international programs that best match their learning goals. International study broadens perspectives, enhances self-confidence and strengthens adaptability. Studying abroad also makes graduates more attractive to potential employers and graduate schools. Study abroad experiences are life changing.
All Loras students, no matter what their major, have the opportunity to live and study in another country. Loras College sponsors study abroad semesters in Botswana, Ireland, South Africa and Spain. For Loras sponsored programs, students receive 100% of their institutional, state and federal financial aid. Short-term study travel options are also offered in January term to further encourage students to explore other cultures. Destinations have included China, Costa Rica, France, Greece, Italy, Mexico, Czechoslovakia, Germany and Peru. Contact the CEL office to set up an advising session if you are interested in study abroad.
Affiliate Programs
The College is affiliated with five other institutions which expand the options for international study to all corners of the globe. For most affiliate programs students receive 100% of their state and federal aid and can receive some support from Loras College. Visit their websites for more information:
Requirements to Study Abroad
Students must have a 2.5 minimum GPA and 40 semester hours completed prior to departure. Loras students should apply on the Inside Loras CEL portal pages. The application deadlines are February 1 for Loras Fall semester programs and March 1 for Loras Spring semester programs.
Financial Aid Opportunities
For Loras sponsored programs students receive 100% of their institutional, state, and federal financial aid.
For most affiliate programs students receive some of their institutional aid and 100% of their state and federal aid.
The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. Gilman Scholarship was announced to increase the amount of students traveling to new countries. Eligibility requirements for the Gilman Scholarship can be found at http://www.iie.org/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship-Program/Eligibility.
Loras students talk about their Study Abroad experiences:
While studying abroad I not only learned about the countries I visited but I also came to new realizations about the world's view on the United States. Being in Ireland not only gave me some great memories but I left there knowing that the last four months would forever influence my future. --Mariah Powers, Ireland
The life long learning experiences that come about while being abroad will never be fully understood unless you take the opportunity to go out of your comfort zone and experience life in another country. If I had to sum up how my experience in Spain changed me, it would be that I am more self-confident, more globally aware, and I am now yearning to learn about and connect with people from all over the world. --Jessica Welp, Spain
The South African program fully allows you to dive into their culture and meet people from all over the world. Coming back I definitely felt more self confident, open minded, and knowledgeable about the world. My experience will help me in my career and all aspects of my life because I can easily adapt to any situation after living in another country by myself for six months. One big realization that I have made is learning that the world is extremely connected. We are all part of a global community and I recommend everyone take a semester abroad, it will change your life.
--Liz Piriczky, South Africa
Despite all the problems in the region, it was hard to go a few minutes without finding people who were smiling and dancing, asking you to join along. Working with the people really let me know what was important in life."--Eric Dayton, Botswan
For me, a Spanish, International Studies, and Politics major, being immersed in the culture has helped me to learn the value of understanding another culture and people and given me a love of trying new things, such as speaking the language, making my iTunes library a little more international, and sampling some of the most delicious food I have ever tasted. Because of the international opportunities Loras provides, I have grown more independent and confident and formed new friendships around the world. At every turn in my experience, I found myself saying, 'Isn't this fun!' And it was. It was the time of my life." --Kevin O'Brien, Spain
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