About OIP – Study Abroad

Study Abroad Opportunities Opportunities at Valparaiso University

First Things First

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50 Years of Study Abroad

About OIP – Study Abroad

Meet the Staff

Information For Students

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Financial Planning

For Parents and Family Members

For Faculty and Staff

Facts & Figures

Valparaiso University sponsors more than 25 semester and year-long programs throughout Europe, Asia, Latin America, and Africa, with a number of short-term, faculty-led programs running over recess periods.

Three Valpo Study Centers (England, Germany, and Costa Rica)
Three International Engineering Programs (Germany, France, and Spain) and 1 Enhanced International Business Program (Germany)
Exchange/direct enroll programs
Affiliate/cooperative programs
Short-term, faculty-led programs over winter break, spring break, and summer

Valparaiso University is a member of:

Highlights:

Valpo Study Abroad has been helping students’ study abroad for over 50 years, with the first students studying abroad in 1968.
Each year, approximately 200-250 students study abroad in a year-long, semester, summer, or spring break program.
About 30% of undergraduates study abroad by graduation.
About half of the semester and year-long programs include a supervised internship. Many more programs offer a service-learning component for community involvement.

Institute of International Education. (2013). “Institutions by Undergraduate Participation in Study Abroad, 2011/12.” Open Doors Report on International Educational Exchange. Retrieved from https://www.iie.org/opendoors.

Awards & Initiatives

In the past 10 years, 26 Valpo students and alumni have received prestigious Fulbright awards. Valparaiso University has achieved recognition from the United States Department of State as one of the colleges and universities that produced the most 2013-2014 Fulbright United States students. The Fulbright Program is the United States government’s flagship international educational exchange program.

Senator Paul Simon Award for Campus Internationalization by NAFSA

Fulbright Scholars

Fulbright Program

Valparaiso University was recognized by the U.S. Department of State as one of the top producers of Fulbright U.S. Students for the 2012–2013 academic year, earning a place on The Chronicle of Higher Education’s list of top Fulbright-producing institutions. Notably, Valpo was the only master’s-level institution in Indiana to receive this distinction. Former Provost Mark R. Schwehn, Ph.D., praised the recognition as a testament to the strength of a Valpo education and the dedication, leadership, and hard work of its students. Fulbright Program Advisor Elizabeth Burow-Flak attributed the University’s success to its strong emphasis on internationalization, which continues to prepare students to thrive and lead in a global context.

Fullbright Awards for 2013 Graduates

Three 2013 Valpo graduates received Fulbright English Teaching Assistantships for 2013–2014:

Sterling Summerville ’13 – International Service major; teaching in Poland, previously studied in Namibia.

Halina Hopkins ’13 – Biology, Environmental Science, Humanities major; teaching in Taiwan.

Hannah Scupham ’13 – English and German major; teaching in Germany, previously studied in Tuebingen.

All 2013 Fulbright recipients had studied abroad during undergrad. Many awardees were part of Christ College – The Honors College. Valparaiso University faculty often mentor students due to their own Fulbright experience.

Awards & Initiatives

Institutional Highlights:

Valpo is the only Indiana master’s-level institution on the top producers list.

Emphasis on internationalization credited for the success, according to Elizabeth Burow-Flak, Fulbright Program Advisor.

Study Abroad Student Interns

Aiden Koch

Program: Valpo Study Center in Reutlingen, Germany

Term: Fall 2024

Major: Electrical Engineering

“Studying abroad has been one of the best experiences of my collegiate career. Not only do you experience a brand-new form of learning while being abroad, but the learning continues as you come home. Being able to fully appreciate your own culture is something you can only do after spending time in another!”

Germany Program

Hope Johnson

Program: Valpo Study Center Heredia, Costa Rica
Term: Spring 2024
Major: Theology and Spanish

“In Costa Rica I was blessed with many formative experiences through my classes, internship, and host family. I am the most grateful for the relationship that I built with my host family. They truly adopted me and we continued to get closer through eating meals together, watching movies, playing cards and going to family parties. This connection is not just for 5 months but is now a friendship for life.”

Costa Rica Program

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