Information for Families

Welcome

Thank you very much for taking an interest in International Programs in Agriculture's Ag Study Abroad.
We have designed this page for easy access to the information most important for families. You can navigate by using the menu to the right, or by clicking on any active text.

On this page you will find information concerning:

A student's family plays a very large part in the success of his or her international experience, and we at the International Programs in Agriculture (IPIA) Office are committed to providing as much information as possible to the families of our students. We encourage you to keep informed by browsing the resources available on this site, but please always remember that the best sourse of information about any program will be from talking with your son, daughter, or dependent about the study abroad process.

International Education at Purdue

In an increasingly global society, an international component has become an essential part of higher education. At Purdue your family member will have many opportunities to learn about and from other cultures. Purdue University is currently one of the top public universities in America for international students. As part of its Strategic Plan, the University has also been stepping up its efforts to encourage more students to study abroad. You can find out more about international programs at Purdue at the International Programs website.
The Purdue University College of Agriculture is argueably the most intrnatioanlized College on Purdue's campus. The college offers an internatioanl studies minor, its faculty is one of the most globally engaged on campus, and over 20% of College of Agriculture graduates have taken advantage of some some form of overseas study experience during their time at Purdue.

Student Options for Studying Abroad

Each year the International Programs in Agriculture Office offers around 25 study abroad programs that are specifically intended for Agriculture students. In addition, there are 44 other study abroad programs offered at Purdue on which students can earn credits toward their Agriculture major. Purdue University in total offers more than 200 study abroad programs in 46 countries. Students can plan their study abroad experience to include classes and/or internships that will earn them credit toward their Agriculture major, but nearly all Purdue study abroad programs can apply toward a student's general degree requirements as well. This means that students can study abroad and still graduate in four years. Study abroad opportunities range in duration from a week to an entire year, so a study abroad experience can fit into any student's schedule.

Ag Study Abraod allows students to search for an appropriate program by location or by duration. Each program offered through the office has its own Web Flyer. These flyers provide a great deal of relevant information on each specific program, including location, costs and financial aid, program dates, eligibility, and application deadlines. There are also helpful links on these flyers to other regional and program-specific information.

Study Abroad Costs

The total cost of a program depends on many variables such as what type of program the student chooses, the cost of travel to and from the host country, and how much additional travel and entertainment he or she chooses to take part in.

Students who participate in inter-institutional exchange programs pay Purdue tuition, but there are also quite a few programs that charge for comprehensive program fees. Students pay these fees to Purdue instead of full Purdue tuition.

It is often the case that fees for certain programs are not set permanently and they vary from year to year. Students will be notfied of program costs once they have been negotiated and set by the program sponsor. Estimates of the total, pre-financial aid, cost of participation in for long term study abroad programs are provided on the program's Web Flyer. These flyers, containing much of the most important program-related information, are organized by program location or by program duration.

The very best source of information concerning the cost of study abroad is the students themselves. We at IPIA understand that financial arrangements play a major role in the decision to participate in a study abroad experience; the staff in the IPIA makes sure to thoroughly explain the various types of programs and how they are financed to each of our advisees.

Financial Aid and Scholarships

Regardless of the type of program that your family member chooses, you can be confident that Purdue financial aid can be applied toward the cost of his or her program.

The IPIA Office provides on-line information concerning financial aid and scholarships for study abroad, and the Purdue University Division of Financial Aid has their own page of study abroad financing information.

Please be aware, the student should direct any personal questions involving his or her financial aid package to the Division of Financial Aid.

Safety and Security

Students should feel reassured that the social and political climate in the area to which they will be traveling is conducive to a safe and secure experience because the Purdue University Office of Programs for Study Abroad follows U.S. government-issued travel warnings. Click here for more information about policies concerning the safety and security of Purdue students abroad.