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Getting Started

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Getting Started

You’ve heard your classmates and friends talk about their experiences studying abroad, and you’ve decided you don’t want to miss this exciting opportunity. You’re ready to explore a new culture, meet new people and expand your knowledge of the world, your academic field and yourself.

So, now what?

Binghamton University currently sponsors over 50 education abroad and exchange programs in a wide variety of locations and sites - and new programs are constantly being developed. In addition, Binghamton students have access to nearly 1,000 education abroad programs sponsored by SUNY institutions, and even have the option of looking at programs outside the SUNY system. 

You’ll discover that each education-abroad opportunity offers different academic challenges and cultural immersion experiences. There are options in English or in foreign languages, and you can choose to stay within your major or explore new subjects for elective credit. Some programs are based at foreign universities, where you will be fully integrated into the foreign university-community, while others are programs in which you are housed and take courses with other American students. Some programs take you out of the classroom for field trips, volunteer work and hands-on opportunities within your field, while others challenge students with award-winning professors and exciting academic and research opportunities.

Sound overwhelming? We are here to help! Whatever your goals for education abroad, there is a program right for you and our office is here to help you through the process, from choosing a program to returning to Binghamton after your experience abroad.

 

Here are some easy steps to get you started:

 
  1. Take a look at the Planning for Education Abroad Guide, which provides an overview of all aspects of education abroad.
     
  2. Meet with an Program Advisor or a Education Abroad Ambassador during Drop-in Advising hours to discuss general questions about programs, applications, and preparing to go abroad. If you are unavailable during these advising times, please email iegi@binghamton.edu.
     
    • Semester Drop-In Advising:
    • Summer/Winter Drop-In Advising:
    • Health & Safety Drop-In Advising: Tuesday, 1:00 to 3:30, in-person at OH 240 
       
  3. Do some initial research into programs on your own. You may want to visit our Education Abroad Resource Area at our office at OH 240 — where we have lots of program brochures and information. Also explore the Binghamton University program options online, and utilize online search engines. Be sure you understand the differences between Binghamton programs, other SUNY programs, and non-SUNY programs, especially in terms of credit recognition and financial policies.
Once you’ve been to an information session (see the Google calendar on our education abroad homepage) and do some initial research, you may want to call our office or stop by to set up a one-on-one advising appointment with the Education Abroad Advisor who manages the Binghamton University programs, academic specialty, or areas of the world you are considering.
 
Once you have identified the program (or programs) you want to apply to, click the "Apply Now" button on the program's brochure page. If you have chosen a program sponsored by another SUNY school or a non-SUNY program, get the program application directly from the sponsoring campus or organization.
 
If you are applying to another SUNY or a non SUNY program, once you have been accepted, don't forget to complete online application to let us know about where you are going. This is important because we need to register you as a education abroad student.

Program Options

Binghamton Programs

Learn Arabic in Morocco, study human rights in Argentina, or spend your summer immersed in Korean culture in Seoul. Binghamton education-abroad programs have been designed to create close connections to the academic disciplines on campus while offering you a variety of locations and program formats from which to choose.

For detailed information about all Binghamton programs: follow this link!

Participants on Binghamton University programs are registered at Binghamton under a generic study abroad placeholder credit for the term they are abroad. Binghamton University students receive Binghamton University residential credit for the courses completed on their education abroad program, these courses count towards your GPA, and the completed courses and grades appear on the Binghamton University transcript. Students can obtain approval for major, minor, and General Education with the appropriate advising department. Financial Aid is applicable to Binghamton University programs, and Binghamton University students are guaranteed on-campus housing upon their return from study abroad.
 

Exchange Programs

Exchange programs are a type of study-abroad program with a reciprocal agreement between two institutions. On an exchange program, students from each university study at the other university, maintaining a one-to-one ratio. For several of our programs, we send students as both exchange and education-abroad participants. We fill the exchange spaces, and then the remaining students attend as education-abroad students. There is no practical difference in how study abroad and exchange students are treated at the foreign university. Both kinds of participants are integrated fully into the university community. However, there is a cost difference: outbound exchange students pay their SUNY tuition rate, while education-abroad participants are responsible for the full foreign university tuition cost (which is typically much higher than in-state SUNY tuition). Binghamton University sponsors several exchange programs, and additional exchange programs are frequently available within the SUNY system. 
 

Other SUNY Programs

While we promote participation in Binghamton University programs, we recognize that Binghamton cannot be in all countries or meet all the education-abroad interests of students. The offices of international programs at all SUNY campuses communicate regularly with each other and coordinate arrangements for students to participate in each other's programs. SUNY schools offer over 1,000 programs in more than 100 countries.

Participants of SUNY programs remain registered at Binghamton under a general study-abroad rubric and continue to pay tuition to Binghamton. Financial aid can be applied toward these programs and students are guaranteed on-campus housing upon their return from study abroad.  Credits appear on your Binghamton transcript as transfer credits, but become part of your permanent academic record as a transcript supplement automatically issued with your Binghamton transcript every time it is issued. Major and minor credit is approved by the appropriate department.

To search for SUNY Programs, use the following search engine: SUNY study-abroad programs

 

Non-SUNY Programs

We encourage participation in non-SUNY programs when they are the best choice for you.

Financial aid is not applicable to most non-SUNY options. If you normally use financial aid and are considering a non-SUNY program, email iegi@binghamton.edu with your program information for review before starting the application process.

Participants of semester or academic-year non-SUNY programs are on leave from Binghamton. All credits from non-SUNY programs must be approved by your school (Harpur, Decker, SOM, etc.) to count the credits as general credits toward graduation. Major and minor credit is approved by the appropriate department.  Students are NOT guaranteed on-campus housing upon their return from study abroad. Some popular search engines include: 

StudyAbroad.com
Peterson's Online Guide to Study Abroad Programs
IIE Passport
GoAbroad.com
GoOverseas.com 

When researching these programs, you will encounter a huge range of options. Be sure to carefully investigate the programs that seem attractive. Contact the program sponsor to find out more about the program. Determine the level of student support provided by the program and make sure you understand the program's health and safety measures.  Asking to be put in touch with a recent, past participant is also an excellent way to find out more about a program.