About the Office of Global Engagement

Our services

We provide the following core services:

Facilitate student participation in Study Abroad programs.
Administer faculty-led Study Abroad programs.
Plan annual Study Abroad Fair.
Manage Office of Study Abroad Scholarships, the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, and other scholarships through partner organizations.
Assist in establishing international student exchange partnerships, and drafting and review of study abroad agreements.

We promote greater internationalization in collaboration with academic departments and campus partners to integrate study abroad into majors and minors (Global Option); we collaborate with the National Scholarship Program to promote national scholarship opportunities for study abroad; support faculty to apply for international teaching opportunities through our study abroad partnerships and consortia.

OGE/Study Abroad staff are actively involved in national organizations focused on the delivery of international education programs and services to ensure we are constantly adapting our work to be consistent with global and national trends, changes in regulations and policies, and industry guidelines.

Study abroad services

For students

Assist in selecting an appropriate program based on academic interests and personal goals, finances, disability accommodations, personal considerations (identity, learning, and health concerns), language ability, and other factors.
Manage the internal application process for Study Abroad, and collect and send applications to the partner institutions.
Provide guidance on courses offered abroad and the faculty advisor approval process, and report courses completed to the Registrar’s Office.
Provide information about campus and national scholarships for Study Abroad.
Provide thorough pre-departure information on matters related to international travel, communications, insurance, health and safety, and cultural adaptation.
Provide general guidance on the process to apply for a passport and visa. Students are expected to research and secure a passport and visa within recommended time frames prior to departure.
Monitor health and safety abroad, and manage the response to incidents and emergencies abroad.

For faculty and staff

Provide a framework for faculty-led Study Abroad programs that is based on national standards for education abroad. Partner with faculty to create a coherent proposal that incorporates financial, health and safety, and intercultural/experiential learning factors into their academic goals for their program abroad.
Provide guidance on travel logistics, itinerary development, budgeting, intercultural experiences, and risk management considerations as faculty develop their programs.
Administer the proposal and review/approval process, program leader orientations, program budgeting, and finances, student applications, and overseas insurance.
Monitor health and safety considerations that impact our faculty-led international programs, and respond to student emergencies abroad.
Conduct general recruitment and marketing for Study Abroad (e.g. social media, admissions events, brochures, student testimonials) and coordinate an annual Study Abroad fair that program leaders are invited to attend to promote their program. OGE does not recruit for individual faculty-led programs abroad but provides a list of recommendations for program leaders to recruit for and market their programs.

International travel advice

OGE closely monitors health and safety factors that impact our study abroad programs, including U.S. State Department and U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention alerts, and contributes to institutional decisions on high-risk travel. We do not provide general travel advice to the campus community. Study Abroad students receive advising and orientations that provide general guidance on international travel, including applying for a passport, basic guidance on student visas, and international insurance as it relates to their Study Abroad experience. Faculty who lead short-term study abroad programs participate in an orientation and are provided with health and safety information about their destination(s).

Faculty interested in applying for a Fulbright Scholar Award

The Office of Research and Graduate Studies can be contacted as the CMU liaison for faculty who plan to submit an application for a Fulbright Scholar Award.