Study Abroad in Geography

What are the benefits of study abroad for someone in Geography?
A study abroad experience provides geography students with a window into other cultures and ways of life, as well as their own, and is valuable with regard to personal growth.  In an increasingly globalized world, it is imperative that students have as many cross-cultural experiences as possible.

When is the best time for Geography students to go abroad?
Study abroad for geography majors is generally very flexible. Because meteorology majors have sequenced courses for their major, students will want to work closely with their advisor in planning for their study abroad experience.

What types of academic requirements can I fulfill abroad?
University-wide requirements: Tier II requirements can usually be fulfilled while abroad.  Tier III courses are offered on some OHIO study abroad programs, but credit for Tier III cannot be transferred back from a Non-OHIO or exchange program.

Arts and Sciences requirements: Courses to fulfill college-level Arts and Sciences requirements, including the foreign language requirement, can be taken abroad.

Major requirements: Students are encouraged to look for courses in geography that relate to their interests. 

What do I do next?
Visit our Planning Your Experience page to discover the steps you'll need to take.

Sample STUDY ABROAD programs for Geography through Ohio University

OHIO – Edinburgh: City and Environment (This program may be of specific interest to environmental geography majors)
Summer program. This environmentally-focused study abroad program takes place in Edinburgh, Scotland, a city that’s history and cultural scene offers “the perfect balance between all things traditional and contemporary,” according to its website. Students will spend five weeks studying environmental history, urban ecology and sustainability planning in one of Europe’s most progressive cities. Along with class instruction and lectures, field trips and guest speakers will introduce students to key concepts relating to forest and park management, social and environmental justice issues, urban provisioning and urban ecology as they relate to the distribution of urban amenities and disamenities. 

Sample STUDY ABROAD programs for Geography through Affiliate Providers

ISA – Reading, England (This program may be of specific interest to meteorology majors)
Semester/Academic year program.  The University of Reading offers course such as Boundary Layer Meteorology, Atmospheric Analogues, Weather and Climate Fundamentals, The Science of Climate Change, Numerical Weather Prediction and more.

CIEE – Groningen, Netherlands (This program may be of specific interest to urban planning majors) Semester program. The University of Groningen offers an Urban Planning and Society program.  Students take the required course Spatial Problems and Spatial Policies and choose from other spatial sciences elective courses such as Spatial Planning: The Urban Challenge, Healthy Aging and Population Dynamics in the Netherlands and Europe and Dutch elective courses such as Idea and Reality of the Nation State and Communication In and About the Netherlands among others.

CIS – Bangkok, Thailand (This program may be of specific interest to environmental prelaw majors or those students looking to fulfill environmental science or environmental studies courses for their major)
Semester program. Mahidol University offers courses such as Regional Geography of
Southeast Asia, Plant Biology, Environmental Issues: Past, Present and Future, Environmental Science, Southeast Asian Geography, Science, Technology and Environment and more. Interested students can set up an appointment with Kari Beall (kari@iepabroad.org) in the Walter International Education Center.

CIS – Ghana, Africa (This program may be of interest to any of the geography majors)
Semester program. The University of Cape Coast offers courses such as Geography of Ghana, Urban Geography, Geography of Development, Thematic Geography of Ghana, Issues in Geography of Development and more. Interested students can set up an appointment with Kari Beall (kari@iepabroad.org) in the Walter International Education Center.

CIS – Newcastle, Australia (This program may be of interest to any of the geography majors)
Semester program. The University of Newcastle offers courses such as Global Poverty and Development, Societies and Space, Rethinking Development, Cities and Regions, Geographic Information Systems, Global Change, Geographic Information Systems and Remote Sensing and more. Interested students can set up an appointment with Kari Beall (kari@iepabroad.org) in the Walter International Education Center.

CIS – South Island, New Zealand (This program may be of specific interest to geographic information science majors)
Semester program. The University of Otago offers courses such as Management Issues in Geographic Information Systems, Geovisualization and Cartography, Special Topic in Human Geography, Alpine Geomorphology and GIS Programming in Python, as well as courses in other disciplines. Interested students can set up an appointment with Kari Beall (kari@iepabroad.org) in the Walter International Education Center.

Environmental Studies Programs:

CEA – French Riviera, France
Semester program. CEA in partnership with Skema Business School offers courses in environmental sciences, geology and geography. Students enroll in two science courses and 2-3 electives that interest them. Students can choose from Biological Oceanography, Meteorology, and Environmental Geology as well as courses in biology, physics and chemistry. Students can take electives in biology, chemistry and physics as well as a host of other disciplines.

CIS – Queensland, Australia
Summer program. Students will enroll in Australian Environmental Issues: Management and Sustainability.  The goals of the course are to provide the student with an overview of the physical and social geography, the climate, and other key environmental factors facing plant, animal, and human life in Australia’s tropical and subtropical coastal and forest areas, explain key ecological issues facing land animal populations and marine life on this part of the Australian coast, and show the ecological impact, past and present, of the demands of the modern economy, especially tourist activities. Interested students can set up an appointment with Kari Beall (kari@iepabroad.org) in the Walter International Education Center.

CIS – San José, Costa Rica
Semester program. CIS in partnership with La Universidad de Veritas offers courses such as Environmental Impact and Social Development, Tropical Ecology, Land Vertebrates of Costa Rica, Tropical Marine Biology, Climate Change and Renewable Energies in Costa Rica and Environmental Awareness and Sustainable Development. Interested students can set up an appointment with Kari Beall (kari@iepabroad.org) in the Walter International Education Center.

GlobaLinks – Gold Coast, Australia
Summer program. AustraLearn in partnership with Bond University offers a course in Australian Environmental Issues. Students will enroll in Australian Environmental Issues: Management and Sustainability, which looks closely at the flora and fauna and special ecological issues presented by the spectacular coastal, marine, and rainforest parks of eastern Queensland. Students will take at least one excursion out to the Great Barrier Reef. Students should be competent swimmers.

Foreign Language Programs:

OHIO-Spanish Language and Culture in Merida, Mexico
OHIO-Chinese Language and Culture in Beijing, China
OHIO-Italian in Florence, Italy

API-Spanish Language Program in Madrid
CIEE-Arabic Language and Culture in Rabat, Morocco
USAC-French Language Studies in Pau, France
USAC-Japanese Language Studies in Hiroshima, Japan
USAC-Arabic, Russian, or Swahili Language in Accra, Ghana

Additional opportunities available! Click here to view more program options & come to walk-in advising, Mon-Fri, 1-4 PM.

Transfer credit may be earned on approved Non-OHIO & exchange programs. Students participating on these programs should complete a Foreign Study Checklist (available at the Office of Education Abroad) to seek pre-approval prior to departure. Students wishing to utilize financial aid and scholarships, click here. OHIO scholarships may not apply to all programs listed on this page. Students should research the country where they plan to study at www.travel.state.gov. Students traveling to a country with a state department warning will be required to sign a waiver (available in Walter International Education Center) prior to departure.

Work, Volunteer, Intern suggestions for Geography

IEP (Full-time on-campus advisor available at the Office of Education Abroad)
Internship opportunities are available in New Zealand, Australia, China, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Ireland, Spain, and Italy. IEP internships are tailored to each individual student’s needs and interests and can last anywhere from one month to a full semester.

For an extensive list of opportunities to work, volunteer, or intern abroad please click here.

Students should consult their academic department regarding earning credit for internships. Students will not receive transfer credit for internship programs UNLESS the internship is required of a student’s major and the student receives pre-approval for the internship. Students should register with the Office of Education Abroad before traveling overseas.

---