Howdy Ags! As Director of the Center for International Business Studies, I am responsible for internationalizing business education at Mays Business School. I am delighted to note your interest in studying overseas to gain a global perspective of business. Countries as well as companies need students whose minds are open to the world, and this can best come from first hand educational experience in another culture. Business has been global in the past, is global at present and will be increasingly global tomorrow! Remember, "the Business of America is International Business".

Making a decision to study overseas -- a decision that will lead to a "once in a life time" experience which you will never forget is wise. When you participate in any one of our overseas programs, you will gain both, academic and cultural experiences that will change your perception of the United States, the world and the way business is conducted globally.

Also, if you plan your overseas study early (sophomore year), you should be able to:

• take advantage of several College and university scholarships that will effectively bring down the cost of studying abroad to College Station level, and
• complete the overseas study experience within the hours required for your undergraduate degree.

Read this memo carefully since it has a wealth of information that could save you a lot of time as you try to figure out:

• the overseas study experience that best suits your interest, and
• the way you could go about applying to that program.

Mays sponsors two types of overseas study opportunities:

1. Reciprocal Educational Exchange Programs (REEP), and
2. Summer Study Abroad Programs

These programs are very different in nature and you need to be very careful not to confuse the two. Let me briefly summarize these two types of programs.

A. Reciprocal Educational Exchange Programs (REEP): These programs offer you the opportunity to spend a semester or academic year overseas studying at one of our many exchange partner institutions. For a complete listing of Mays and University-wide exchange programs, visit the Mays Undergraduate Reciprocal Exchange Programs Grid. The reason why these initiatives are called “reciprocal” exchange programs is the fact that for every “Aggie” we send to a partner institution, Mays will “reciprocate” by hosting an “exchange student” from that institution.

Reciprocal exchange, popularly known as "exchange programs", offers the opportunity for complete "immersion" into a partner country’s academic environment and culture. You will attend classes with citizens of that foreign country and interact closely with the students and their culture. You remain officially enrolled at Texas A&M University for 12 credit hours of course work, pay tuition and fees to TAMU and will be exempt from paying tuition and fees to the overseas institution.

A few partner schools require Mays Undergraduates to have language skills necessary to follow classes taught in the language of the in country. However, most of our exchange partnerships offer business courses all in English.

It is important that you plan early to participate in an exchange program. Following are some simple steps that you should take:

1. Visit our Mays Reciprocal Exchange Programs Grid. The grid includes all the exchange programs that Mays and TAMU have negotiated over the years with foreign business schools. The grid lists the schools, their location, their semester dates, the medium of instruction, and estimated cost over and above those incurred while studying in College Station.

2. After you have reviewed the list of exchange programs, go to the last column of the grid and click on the name of university that is of interest to you. The one-page write-up that appears will provide you with a brief overview of the exchange program with that institution.

3. If you find that exchange program of continued interest and would like more information, click the “hot-link” right in the first sentence of the one-page write up. The link will take you directly to the foreign institution’s web site where you will find all the information that you need about that university, courses, housing, campus life, the country and more!

4. After you have narrowed down your choice of exchange programs to one or two, you will be ready to meet with an Undergraduate Program Advisor in Room 238 of the Wehner Building. Please call (862-3850) to set up an appointment to meet with an academic advisor to discuss:

1. courses to be taken overseas that meet your degree plan, and
2. course selection process.

After discussing with your undergraduate program advisor meet with Ms. Laurie Marshall (who will nominate you to (A) the overseas partner institution, and (B) the REEP coordinator at TAMU), Wehner 220V or by phone (862-1019) and follow her instructions carefully, the application process which is crucial in meeting program deadlines.

5. Finally, as you work through the application process, please be aware of the numerous scholarships and financial aid opportunities (visit our Scholarships & Financial Aid web site) that are available. Review the grid carefully and note the application deadlines, minimum academic requirements, contact person, etc. In essence, as you begin your exchange program application process, you should concurrently start applying for various overseas study scholarships/financial aid. Many of our Mays undergraduates who participate in reciprocal exchange programs have been able to receive some form of scholarship or other financial aid.

Once your application is submitted, you would then be required to attend a mandatory orientation meeting in which you’ll receive valuable information and preparation for your exchange semester(s). Once you have your finances, class registration, your Passport, visa and air ticket ready it will be Bon Voyage! A Bientot!

For more information regarding pre-departure issues, please read the Overseas Handbook and visit the Study Abroad Programs Preparations.

B. Summer Study Abroad Programs: Each year Mays sponsors three or four Summer Study Abroad Programs. In study abroad programs, our professors will take a select group of MAYS students to a foreign location to offer business and culture/economic environment courses. So, although you will be in a foreign environment, you will be taking classes with other Aggies. Mays study abroad programs are conducted during the summer and will last four to five weeks in duration. Since study abroad programs are initiated by Mays faculty members, much of the promotion and recruitment is done by the respective professors. Because of the varying duration of study abroad programs, the credit hours gained will depend on the respective program (3-6 credit hours for summer programs). Students will register at TAMU for the courses, and in addition, pay the program participation fee, TAMU Study Abroad Administration fee, and airfare.

Ideally, you will want to participate in study abroad programs during (1) summer after the sophomore year, or (2) summer soon after the junior year. The summer study abroad programs are scheduled for either during the first or second summer sessions each year, and the courses and program location could also vary.

Please follow the simple steps listed below to participate in a summer study abroad program of your choice.

1. Visit our Mays Study Abroad programs grid. The grid lists all the study abroad programs that Mays sponsors for the coming year. The grid lists the location, dates, courses, and cost of each program in addition to TAMU tuition, and relevant fees.

2. After you have glanced over the list of study abroad programs in the grid, go to the first column of the grid and click on the specific program site that interests you. The one-page write up that appears will provide you with a comprehensive overview of that study abroad program.

3. After you identify a study abroad program of continued interest and you feel that you have taken or will soon take the prerequisite courses required for the program, please fill out completely the application on the website and please arrange to meet with an Undergraduate Exchange Program Advisor, or Dr. Linda Windle in Room 238 of the Wehner Building. Please call and set up and appointment to meet with an advisor (Tel: 862-3850) to discuss how the courses that you plan on taking as part of the summer study abroad program fits with your degree plan. Next deliver the completed application with the Undergraduate Programs Office advisor signature to Ms. Dana Fritsche at Wehner 230 by the due date.

4. Finally, as your work through the application process, be aware of the numerous scholarships and financial aid programs (visit our Scholarships & Financial Aid web site) that are available. Please review the grid carefully and note the application deadlines, minimum academic requirements, contact person, etc. In essence, as you begin your study abroad program application process, you should concurrently start applying for various overseas study scholarships/financial aid. In the past, several undergraduate business majors have been recipients of some scholarship or other from the college and university. Outside of Mays, visit the TAMU Study Abroad Office located in Bizzell Hall West. Once your application and finances are in order, you are ready to depart. However, please read the Overseas Handbook and Study Abroad Travel Preparations for Study Abroad Programs and make sure that you have your Passport, visas and airline ticket ready! Bon Voyage! A Bientot!

We are confident that your overseas study experience will be challenging and productive. Welcome aboard!