Study Abroad

Wesleyan students are encouraged to move outside of their comfort zone and take advantage of this enriching opportunity. Study abroad entails carefully planning ahead, and possibly doubling up on some of the science requirements in your first two years or taking science courses in one summer, but adding an international perspective to your undergraduate experience is invaluable. It will enhance your global awareness, hone your foreign language skills and contribute towards your understanding of other cultures and ways of life. Regarding language skills, if you are going to a country where you will be speaking a language other than English, you will need to start taking courses in that language in your first year so that you are ready by your third year. Students are encouraged to enroll in courses that fall within their broader interests while abroad, however, if a student plans to complete a science course that is a pre-requisite for the health professional program the student will be applying to, the course will need to appear on the Wesleyan transcript, given that health professional programs will not accept a transcript from a foreign institution. Please also note that some European schools only offer one exam at the end of the semester, which could affect your science GPA if you were to do poorly on that one exam or project. For this reason, students are encouraged to think carefully about their potential schedule and may consider enrolling in non-science courses abroad. Some of our students complement their study abroad experience by also pursuing international research, an internship or a volunteer opportunity.

All of this may sound complicated but it is achievable with careful planning and active learning in all of your courses. Be sure to make an appointment with an advisor at the Global Studies office and with the Health Professions Advisor, Mildred Rodriguez, PhD, in the Gordon Career Center if you would like to work on a tentative four-year plan that includes a semester abroad.