Frequently Asked Questions
- Why study engineering abroad?
- What are the eligibility requirements?
- Where can I go?
- What if I don’t speak a foreign language?
- When should I start planning?
- How do I go about it?
- How much does it cost?
- What if I only want to go abroad in the summer?
- Will I still graduate on time if I study abroad?
- How does the credit transfer back to Columbia?
1. Why study engineering abroad?
Engineering today is a global profession. Engineers are increasingly being called upon to work with other engineers from across the world or they may even find themselves living abroad on an overseas assignment. Learning problem-solving skills in a foreign context will help you to expand your horizons and your adaptability to cross-cultural communication will make you a valuable addition to a team of engineers. Study abroad allows engineering students to discover the field through the perspective of engineers working in a different language and culture. You will learn the relationship of culture to science. You can develop a range of transferable skills that employers are seeking today. Study abroad will help you develop intellectually, emotionally, culturally and socially.
2. What are the eligibility requirements?
In order to participate in a semester- or year-long study-abroad program, students must:
• have at least a 3.0 GPA
• be making good progress toward finishing the Core Curriculum
• have at least intermediate proficiency in the local language, if it is not English
3. Where can I go?
SEAS students have the option of studying engineering at one of SEAS’ partner universities where course equivalencies have been worked out:
• University College London (UK) Ecole Polytechnique (FR)*
• Ecole Centrale de Paris (FR)*
• Other partnerships are currently being negotiated—check our website for the latest updates.
• You can choose a peer university; the Office of Global Initiatives and your departmental advisor will review your choice. If it is approved, your advisor will help you work out your course equivalencies.
Courses that do not have direct equivalencies can be taken as non-technical electives. Students from every Engineering major have studied abroad without adding additional time to their course of study at Columbia. You may study abroad either for a semester or for a full academic year.
* You must speak fluent French and have excellent mathematical skills to study here.
4. What if I don’t speak a foreign language?
Many programs are available in countries where the courses are taught in English. Check our website for further details. In addition, many summer programs offer courses in English in non-English speaking countries.
5. When should I start planning?
You should begin thinking about study abroad as early in your studies as possible. Planning during your First Year is ideal. This will enable you to plan your curriculum around the engineering courses you would like to take overseas. SEAS students typically study abroad in the Spring semester of their Sophomore year, either semester of their Junior year or, exceptionally, in their Senior year. You must have a 3.0 GPA to qualify for study abroad.
6. How do I go about it?
Your first step should be to visit the Global Initiatives website accessible from the SEAS homepage. Here you will find a listing of your options. Next make an appointment at the Global Initiatives Office to identify the SEAS’ formalities that must be completed. The Office of Global Programs in 204 Lewisohn Hall will then help you with the rest of your study abroad planning.
7. How much does it cost?
You are responsible for paying Columbia’s tuition; Columbia will bill you only for your tuition. Columbia will then pay for all the academic fees of the program. You are responsible for all other fees, such as room and board. Your financial aid will continue while you are abroad. You must discuss your expenses with the Financial Aid advisor to work out your individual package.
8. What if I only want to go abroad in the summer?
Summer study abroad programs allow students to earn credits for language instruction and non technical electives. Columbia sponsors summer programs in France, Brazil, the Dominican republic, China, Italy and Japan. Other programs are sponsored by other US-based institutions or are directly administered by foreign institutions of higher education. In order to use any language work undertaken abroad towards the Columbia degree, students will need to get academic approval. Students in Columbia sponsored programs receive direct Columbia credit and the courses and grades appear on their academic transcript. Grades for other courses taken in other programs are not factored into the students’ GPA.
9. Will I still graduate on time if I study abroad?
With appropriate planning, study abroad will not interfere with your scheduled graduation date. You can take up to 15 points abroad for one semester of study or 30 points for a full academic year.
10. How does the credit transfer back to Columbia?
Students in Columbia-sponsored programs receive direct Columbia credit, and the courses and grades appear on your academic transcript. These include Reid Hall, Paris; the Berlin Consortium for German Studies; the Kyoto Center for Japanese Studies; and the Tsinghua University program in Beijing.
Credit from approved programs is certified as transfer credit toward the Columbia degree upon successful completion of the program verifiable by academic transcript. Students must earn a grade of C or better in order for credits to transfer. Course titles and grades for approved programs do not appear on the Columbia transcript and the grades are not factored into the student’s GPA.
Faculty from the SEAS academic departments have the responsibility to assess all work completed abroad and make decisions about how these courses fit into major requirements. It is imperative that students gain course-by-course approval from their department prior to departure on a study-abroad program. The Office of Global Initiatives will provide you with the forms necessary to obtain this approval.