8 Resources and Services for A&M Students Going Abroad
8.1 Directory
Education Abroad
(979) 845-0544
112 Pavilion
3262 TAMU, College Station, TX 77843-3262
Fax: (979) 458-3623
Education Abroad is committed to meeting the goals of all Texas A&M University graduate students through various transformational, international opportunities including research, internship, academic and volunteer programs abroad. Specific services available to graduate students include identifying programs, applying for or renewing your passport, obtaining international health insurance, information about available scholarships, 24/7 emergency support as needed when you are abroad, and help locating courses or appropriate programs that will enrich your graduate degree. Please visit http://abroad.tamu.edu for additional international opportunities, policies, insurance, health and safety, and education abroad fees.
8.2 PASSPORT SERVICES
Education Abroad is also a Passport Acceptance Facility. This provides students, faculty, and staff with a convenient location for all their passport needs, including photo services for U.S. Passports, international passports, and support for visa applications. The office is open to the public and parking is available nearby. For information on passport processing fees please visit the U.S. State Department website at travel.state.gov. For information on facility hours and photo fees please visit the Education Abroad website at https://abroad.tamu.edu.8.3 INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL INSURANCE
Graduate students studying, interning, volunteering, conducting research, or presenting at a conference overseas can purchase a comprehensive, and very affordable, health insurance plan through Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI). Since 1992, CISI has insured over 1 million students worldwide. The plan available to Texas A&M graduate students includes a comprehensive medical plan with no deductible, 24-hour emergency support, medical evacuation, repatriation, and affordable premiums. For more information, contact Education Abroad at abroad@tamu.edu or (979) 845-0544.
8.4 TEXAS A&M EDUCATION ABROAD PROGRAMS
8.4.1 Texas A&M Faculty-Led Programs
Every year Texas A&M faculty teach courses abroad during the fall, spring, and summer sessions. A number of Texas A&M University faculty-led programs provide stacked graduate – undergraduate coursework. Some courses are designed specifically for graduate students only and combine both research and classroom experiences. Graduate students can work with their advisors to develop an opportunity that incorporates one or both of these elements.
It is also possible for graduate students to accompany an undergraduate or graduate program abroad as an assistant to a faculty leader; just as they would assist with an on-campus course. In such cases, graduate students can be added to a program either in a dual role (50% student and 50% employee) or in a full work role (100% employee). Graduate students interested in these opportunities should contact their graduate advisor of Education Abroad.
8.4.2. Exchange Programs
Exchange Programs are student exchanges authorized by the Texas legislature and governed by special regulations. Exchanges provide students the opportunity to study and live at an international university for either a semester or an academic year. Exchange programs are established through a Memoranda of Agreement between Education Abroad or an academic department at Texas A&M and an international institution. Parity for such exchanges must take place over a five-year period. Participating students pay Texas A&M tuition and fees while enrolled at the foreign institution, typically for one semester.
8.4.3. Non-Degree Programs
Many foreign universities will accept non-degree-seeking students to take courses at their institution or to pursue research for academic credit. Graduate students who wish to spend some time at a foreign university should write directly to the school or schools of choice, requesting admission as a non-degree student. To receive credit for this coursework, graduate students will have to work with their department, advisory committee and Education Abroad to facilitate the credit transfer.
8.4.4. Independent Research Abroad
Conducting thesis or dissertation research outside of the United States requires registration with Education Abroad as an Independent Traveler. This provides students access to resources including health and safety information, international insurance, and Education Abroad’s 24/7 emergency support. Arrangements for research hours should be made directly between the student and his/her department. For more information, call (979) 845-0544 or visit abroad.tamu.edu.
8.4.5. Internships
Graduate students who would like to complete an international internship may find opportunities through Education Abroad, Career Center Work Abroad Programs, or the Graduate Student Career Services. For more information, contact Education Abroad or the Texas A&M University Career Center at careercenter.tamu.edu, or (979) 845-5139. The Career Center is located in Koldus 209.
8.5 SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE FOR STUDENTS
Graduate students engaged in education abroad programs are eligible for special scholarships. More details about these and other funding opportunities for international education are available on the Education Abroad website at abroad.tamu.edu.
8.5.1 Junior Fulbright
The Fulbright is a prestigious national competition. If awarded, students live in a selected country and conduct research, teach, or attend school and are funded by both the U.S. and the host country. The opportunities available depend upon the particular country. The likelihood of receiving a Junior Fulbright increases if the graduate student applies for a country that is identified by the Fulbright committee as highly desirable. Information about applying for the Junior Fulbright is available on the L.A.U.N.C.H. office website at launch.tamu.edu. You can also visit the Fulbright site at www.cies.org.
8.5.2 British Marshall
This program is for a master’s degree at a British institution. Recipients may be married but must be under the age of 26 by October 1 of the year of the award. The student must also have a Bachelor’s degree with an overall GPA of 3.7 by the date of the receipt of the award. For more information, go to launch.tamu.edu.
8.5.3 Rhodes
This award is available to graduate students and graduating seniors for two (2) years of study at Oxford University. An applicant must be a U.S. citizen between the age of 18 and 24 and have at least a 3.75 GPA. For more information, go to launch.tamu.edu.
8.5.4 Rotary Foundation Ambassadorial Scholarship
This scholarship provides graduate, undergraduate, vocational students, teachers of the handicapped, and journalists, with funds to conduct studies and research abroad. Students must be proficient in the language of the host country. The applicant must be a citizen of a county in which there is a Rotary Club. For further information, contact the Bryan/College Station Rotary Club at aggielandrotary.org.
8.5.5 National Security Education Program (NSEP) – Boren Fellowship
This program awards fellowships to American graduate students to study in foreign countries and world regions critical to U.S. national security. NSEP awards are available for a maximum of $8,000 per semester or $16,000 per academic year. The competition is merit-based. Students may apply for study in summer, fall, and spring. The application deadline is February. For more information, visit http://www.borenawards.org.
8.5.6 Study Abroad Fellowship
This is a need-based scholarship, furnishing up to $2,000 to full time undergraduate and graduate Texas A&M University students for participating in Texas A&M Education Abroad programs. At the time of scholarship application, graduate students must be enrolled for at least 9 hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0. Applications are available on the university Scholarships and Financial Aid website at uwide.tamu.edu.
8.5.7 International Education Fee Scholarship – Graduate and Professional
This is a merit- and need-based scholarship program. At the time of the scholarship application, graduate students must be enrolled for at least 9 hours with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 and all students must be enrolled in a credit-bearing education abroad experience (i.e., study abroad program, co-op, internship or international practicum). International students studying in the United States are eligible to apply. Applications are available online at uwide.tamu.edu. All students who paid the international education fee are eligible to apply based on financial need, academic qualifications, and international activities.
8.5.8 International Education Fee Study Grant – Graduate and Professional
All students who paid the international education fee are eligible to apply for up to $500. The award may be used towards the expenses in presenting a paper at or attending a recognized conference. For more information, visit the International Student and Scholar Services website at: iss.tamu.edu
8.5.9 Patti and Weldon Kruger ’53 scholarship
This scholarship supports up to a semester long academic experience in international locations. The scholarship supports travel for graduate students to participate in academic programs, research, attendance at international conferences, seminars, or short courses in international locations. There is a strong preference for students who have not previously traveled outside of the United States. The Application is available on the university Scholarships and Financial Aid website at scholarships.tamu.edu.