Study Abroad

Featured Programs

Concordia St. Paul’s featured programs are administered and evaluated by our office. We partner and work directly with universities to offer semester and year-long options.

• Direct Study Programs: Most time is spent living and taking classes at a local university with students and faculty from the host country, much like an international student coming to CSP. You’re expected to perform at the same level as local students, often in a more independent educational system.
• Exchange Programs: A type of study abroad program where you will trade places with an international student and attend each other’s respective institutions.

Begin Advising by creating an Advising Application, make an Advising Appointment, and browse CSP’s program options.

Partner Providers

Looking for something else? CSP’s partner providers offer a wide range of experiences in locations, program types, course options, and majors.

Looking to fulfill an internship and desire to gain a global experience that will set you apart from your peers?  Concordia St. Paul offers a variety of programs in which you can gain invaluable work experience during a semester or over the summer. Take your career preparation to the next level by considering a business internship in Germany or China, a biology field placement in Ecuador or Costa Rica, or student teach in Shanghai or Ireland. The world awaits! Contact abroad@csp.edu today to discuss your international internship possibilities.

International Internships

International Internships are unpaid and placements vary with many fields being represented. Add an internship to your semester abroad or complete an internship over the summer. Begin Advising by creating an Advising Application, make an Advising Appointment, and browse internship options.

International Student Teaching

Student teaching abroad enables students to spend one teaching placement abroad practicing their teaching skills in a unique environment. International student teaching placements are based on a number of factors – availability of appropriate sites, housing options, co-op teachers in matching levels or subject areas, etc. Current potential placement locations:

• China
• Italy
• England
• Vietnam
• Germany
• Ireland

Service Trips

Service Trips are not for credit and available to all undergraduate students. Service trips are proposed by students and student-led. Students must submit an application and a $500 deposit to be considered for a service trip. Service Trips are a great opportunity to travel and serve and will provide excellent life experience to prepare you for your future vocation.  Students have the opportunity to fundraise for service trips throughout the year. For more information email engage@csp.edu or stop by the Center for Student Engagement in Meyer Hall 115.

Upcoming:

Service Trip: Guatemala
Spring 2025: February 28th, 2025 – March 8th, 2025

Travel Seminars

Interested in studying abroad but can only commit to a week or two? CSP’s Travel Seminars are 6-12 day travel courses led by CSP faculty. Students will be enrolled in the travel course during Spring Semester. Travel takes place during winter break, spring break, or in May. Travel Seminars change each year, are offered in various locations, and often satisfy general education and major/minor requirements. CSP’s undergraduate travel seminars are open to undergraduate and adult undergraduate students from any major. Each seminar has a subject area focus; however, we encourage students from a diverse set of programs to travel and learn together.

Upcoming:

Germany Science and Business
Spring 2025: May 2025 – May 2025

Mexico Art & Culture
Spring 2025: March 1st, 2025 – March 9th, 2025

New York Faith and Justice in the City
Spring 2025: May 6th, 2025 – May 13th, 2025

Peru Service and Adventure
Spring 2025: May 7th, 2025 – May 16th, 2025

United Kingdom
Spring 2025: February 28th, 2025 – March 9th, 2025

Any CSP student can study abroad or go on a service trip! CSP encourages you to pursue either study abroad or a service trip opportunity. Check your program’s website for the GPA requirement.

• Travel Seminars & Service Trips – any undergraduate student
• Semester-long and internships – hold sophomore, junior, or senior status at the time of study abroad participation and transfer students must complete one semester at CSP before they may participate.

The Study Abroad Office understands that preparing for and participating on a study abroad, travel seminar, or service trip program may be exciting and overwhelming so we are here to provide support and resources in all stages of preparation. We do require students to take an active role in preparing for their experience, this includes completing all necessary steps prior to departure.

Initial Search Phase –

• Meet with students to identify programs that will meet the student’s academic and personal goals, cost, courses, and housing
• Assist with the application process
• Discuss scholarship opportunities and review essays
• Connect students with peers who’ve studied abroad in the same location

After Acceptance

• Host required pre-departure meetings
• Provide packets and further information about the program and steps required pre-departure
• Available by appointment to discuss any questions or concerns students may have about their upcoming program

While Abroad

• Work closely with on-site staff to ensure the health and safety of CSP students abroad
• Keep in touch with students via email, and encourage them to be in contact with any questions or concerns

Back at CSP

• Host a re-entry meeting to help students adjust to life back at CSP (Faculty leaders will host Travel Seminar meetings)
• Connect students to resources including how to translate study abroad experiences onto a resume
• Returned students may sign up to be peer advisors to future study abroad students

1. Make an appointment by emailing abroad@csp.edu or stopping by Meyer Hall 115.
2. Once you’ve decided on your program, complete the application and follow the directions on your next steps.

At any point during the process, feel free to reach out to us with any questions! We are here to make the process smooth for you.

Service trips are not tied to an academic course and offer students the opportunity to serve alongside local community members. Service trips have opportunities for fundraising to help reduce the cost. The cost includes airfare or van transportation, housing, international insurance, and some meals. Each service trip team sets required group meetings to cover trip preparation and educational research components.

Travel seminars are faculty-led courses tied to spring semester academic credit and culminate in travel with excursions tied to the coursework. Travel seminars have a program fee that covers airfare, in-country transportation, activities and excursions, some meals, and international insurance.

It depends. It can be as expensive or inexpensive as you make it. Factors to consider are your program type and living and travel expenses.

• CSP Featured (Direct Enroll or Exchange Programs) Semester-long – Students may apply their full financial aid package including use of Concordia Scholarships and Aid.
• Travel Seminars – The credit for travel seminars is rolled into spring semester tuition as long as you stay between 12-19 credits. This apply to all travel seminars whether during winter break, spring break or in May. All Travel Seminars have an additional program fee that includes flights, in-country transportation, hotels, in-country activities, and some food.
• Service Trips – We offer fundraising opportunities for students participating in service trips.

Meet with a study abroad advisor for more information about program specific costs.

• Concordia offers several service trips on an annual basis.
• Online applications open in February and close the first week of October. All traditional students are emailed the application or you can find it online.
• Service trips are student-led with two staff/faculty who accompany the group to serve as advisers.
• Participants are selected to be on a service trip by the student leaders. Selection is based on the essay application with names removed.
• Fundraising opportunities are provided through the CALL Center. Many students have found they can easily raise half the trip’s cost.
• Most trips fall in the $600-$1,800 price range.