»Engineering Study Abroad Opportunities

Studying abroad can be both affordable and can keep you on track (or get you closer) to graduating in four years. The key is picking the right program(s) for your interests and budget and degree program.

Chapman’s Study Abroad website provides great general information about these opportunities, while this page provides specific insight on making an international experience part of your Fowler Engineering program.

Helpful tips for Engineering students

As you plan your travel abroad experience, here are some things to consider:

If you want to do a semester abroad, applying in your first year and going abroad in your second will give you the most options. See the "Semester abroad" section below for more details.
You can also explore summer programs/opportunities that could support a minor or perhaps an area of personal interest.
With that in mind, many engineering students use time studying abroad to broaden their cultural knowledge or gain experience in a subject that makes for a more well-rounded student.

Here are the options you can choose from for your study abroad experience:

Semester abroad: The number of major-specific units for engineering programs often makes it challenging to do a semester abroad. But there are options to make it happen!
International internships: International internships provide valuable opportunities for personal growth, self-exploration, and gaining industry experience before graduation—all while fulfilling half of your Global Studies GE!
Summer sessions abroad: These offer students the opportunity to study abroad at a foreign institution or study center over the summer. These programs are not conducted by Chapman faculty nor do they only include Chapman students.

For guidance on finding the right program and the ideal timing, reach out to your Fowler Engineering study abroad advisor.

Faculty spotlight: Erik Linstead

Senior Associate Dean and Professor, Fowler School of Engineering

“Sadly, the myth that engineering majors don’t lend themselves to study abroad opportunities still exists. We are working to combat this in Fowler Engineering and encourage our students to take advantage of the wonderful global study opportunities Chapman provides.”

Funding your international experience

To provide global experiences to as many students as possible, the Center for Global Education offers scholarships to help cover the costs of studying in another country.

Additionally, students participating in a summer or interterm travel course or international internship may qualify for a one-time tuition waiver.

You can find the eligibility requirements and more information on the Tuition Waiver page.

Engineering abroad programs

Below are some examples of popular study abroad courses among engineering/STEM students.

Be sure to check the program details on the Study Abroad website, as some may have prerequisite courses.

Semester-long programs

Engineering students looking to go abroad for a semester will often apply for a program their first year to participate during their sophomore year. This is because:

Semester-long programs require you to apply a year in advance.
As a sophomore, you will have more options to take lower-division GE courses or fulfill your minor requirements.

As a junior or senior, it’s best to save upper-division electives for studying abroad because:

Most majors within Fowler Engineering can take up to 9 electives.
It allows flexibility if you plan to go abroad later in your college career because your core requirements are already complete.

Many engineering students choose to do a semester abroad at larger universities because they offer more courses. Recommended universities for engineering students to consider for a semester abroad include:

University of Limerick (Ireland): A modern, rapidly growing institution recognized as a leader in business, science, and engineering. It offers over 70 degree programs across four faculties, and study-abroad students can cross-register in any academic department.
University of Glasgow (Scotland): Offers a large, green campus in Glasgow's vibrant West End, with courses ranging from biology and engineering to law, Scottish literature, and film.
University of Cape Town (South Africa): Known as the "Harvard of Africa," the University of Cape Town is South Africa's oldest and top-ranked institution, offering programs in humanities, social sciences, engineering, architecture, natural sciences, and law.
University of Auckland (New Zealand): Auckland is ranked among the world's top universities in subjects like Archaeology, Education, English, Psychology, and Sport Science. Unique courses include Maori Studies, Pacific Studies, Wine Science, Innovation, and Marine Science.
University of Technology Sydney (Australia): Allows you to build your own program by choosing courses from a variety of fields including Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Game Development Programming, Information Security & Policy, Mathematics, Software Engineering, and many GE courses.

Evelyn Lawrie '24

Computer science and Spanish double major

“Studying abroad pushed me out of my comfort zone and helped me grow as a person. "The interpersonal skills, global fluency, and cultural competency I gained can be directly applied to engineering, helping me work effectively with diverse groups of people, understand different perspectives, and communicate more clearly."

Read Evelyn's story

Summer sessions abroad

Summer sessions abroad are taught by local and international faculty, and you can learn alongside other international students.

Chapman students typically take 1- 4 courses, fulfilling major, minor, GE’s (including Global Studies), and other degree requirements.
A popular summer abroad session for engineering students is the Science and Engineering summer program at Hayang University in South Korea.

However, different summer sessions are available each year, so be sure to check the Center for Global Education portal for the latest offerings and their information.

International internships

International internships can be completed during a semester abroad or over the summer.

As an engineering/STEM student, you might consider internship programs in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Korea, South Africa, Ireland, and Scotland.

Please note that some pre-approved international internships are allowed for credit if they are with a U.S.-based company. All registration for international experiences goes through the Center for Global Education.

Studying abroad in other disciplines

Studying abroad isn't limited to just your major — it’s a great opportunity to fulfill other degree requirements or simply explore your interests!

Here are a few ways to make the most of your time abroad:

Fulfill your minor: Use your study abroad experience to complete courses related to your minor, such as entrepreneurship or environmental studies.
Enhance your language skills: Immerse yourself in a country where another language is spoken, which can complement your engineering studies.
Explore new subjects: Take the chance to delve into subjects outside your major to broaden your perspective.

Jacki Vu ‘23

Data analytics major with a minor in Health Sciences

"I spent a semester abroad at Korea University in Seoul, where I found a passion for business analytics, learned five programming languages, and even volunteered as an English & Spanish tutor. The experience broadened my perspective and helped me grow both intellectually and personally. If you have the chance to study abroad, take it!"

Getting started

To prepare for your semester or academic year abroad journey, the first thing you should do is attend a Global First Steps presentation, which will inform you about the different programs available, application processes, costs and funding, and more.

You can register for a Global First Steps presentation through Calendly.

It’s also important to meet with your Fowler Engineering study abroad advisor and your program advisor to discuss your remaining Chapman degree requirements.