Global Education Opportunities

PLU is committed to a vibrant array of global educational opportunities, linked to its mission and vision of educating to achieve a just, healthy, sustainable, and peaceful world. Consult the Wang Center for Global and Community Engaged Education for comprehensive and more detailed information. PLU encourages majors in all fields to participate in off-campus study—for a semester, academic year, January Term, or Summer Term—where students earn major, minor, GenEd, IHON, and/or elective credits on off-campus programs that span the globe and the calendar.

Semester Programs

• Gateway Programs:
  These PLU faculty-developed programs offer coursework, study tours, and immersion in regions that are significant to the fields of study PLU students pursue. The academic focus and program dates vary in these Gateway locations: Oxford, England; Oaxaca, Mexico; Namibia; Oslo, Norway; Norway; Southeast Norway; and Trinidad & Tobago.
• Featured Programs:
  PLU offers an array of Featured semester study away programs across the globe. Administered by partner institutions or study away provider organizations, these programs align with our mission and typically have a long history of PLU student participation or historical ties to PLU.
• International Internships:
  PLU offers internship opportunities in selected locations around the globe, providing students the chance to apply their knowledge in an international work setting. Currently, international internships can be completed in Mexico, Namibia, and Trinidad & Tobago and through select Featured Programs.

Short Term Programs

• January Term:
  Each January, PLU offers a variety of local and global faculty-led study away courses.  These intensive short-term travel programs are academically integrated experiences, and are carefully planned and administered by PLU faculty and Wang Center staff. J-Term programs can fulfill major, minor, GenEd, IHON, or elective credit.
• Summer Programs:
  Short-term study away programs are also available during the summer months. PLU awards academic credit for approved programs and locations.
• Research Grants:
  The Wang Center for Global Education awards grants on a competitive basis to students interested in advanced research and experiential learning in a global context, building on previous international experience.

Non-Approved Programs

Students wishing to participate in a semester program not currently approved by PLU may request an exception via the petition process. Petitions are evaluated based on the program’s academic rigor, safety and risk management protocols, and the student’s compelling academic justification for choosing an unlisted program. For detailed information regarding petition criteria, financial implications, and the application timeline, please contact the Wang Center. In cases when the petition is denied or when the petition process is not followed, it is the student’s responsibility to arrange in advance for appropriate credit transfer. PLU financial aid is not applicable.

Grading Policy and Credits

Students participating on PLU Gateway and Featured study away programs receive PLU credit and letter grades for their coursework. Courses, credits and grades are recorded on the PLU transcript. However, study away grades are only calculated into the PLU GPA for courses taught by PLU faculty. Semester students must maintain full-time status, equivalent to a minimum of 12 PLU credits.

Program Costs and Financial Aid

For all Gateway and Featured study away semester programs, students are billed PLU tuition, room and board. J-Term study away costs vary by program. While abroad, students continue to be billed by PLU and are expected to maintain their payment plan arrangements. Financial aid may be applied to all Gateway and Featured programs. This includes State and Federal financial aid (with the exception of work study), university grants and scholarships, and government loans. Students may use their PLU aid on multiple Gateway programs and one Featured Program.

Tuition Remission and Tuition Exchange benefits apply to the cost of study away tuition on PLU Gateway programs only. Tuition Remission and Tuition Exchange do not apply to housing and meal charges.

Global Scholar Awards provide students with financial need greater access to participate in PLU’s study away programs. Students may receive up to $1,500 for a Gateway semester-long study away program. For a J-Term study away course, the program fee may be reduced by 25%. The FAFSA is used to determine eligibility for an award.