2007-2008 Undergraduate Catalog

Overview: Special Study Opportunities

Study Abroad Programs

Students at WIU can participate in study abroad programs for one semester or for a full year in Argentina, Australia, Canada, Costa Rica, England, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and any of a hundred other locations worldwide. There are also many programs available to students that are shorter in length and take place over breaks in the semester or in the summer. For more details about study abroad programs contact the Study Abroad advisers at telephone 309/298-2501 or go to www.wiu.edu/international.

American Institute for Foreign Study
The American Institute for Foreign Study (AIFS) gives students direct access to study in Argentina, Australia, Austria, Czech Republic, England, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Russia, South Africa, and Spain. Fall, spring, summer, and full-year study options are available.
American Intercontinental University
The American Intercontinental University (AIU) features outstanding courses in fashion design and merchandising and interior design,. The AIU campuses in Dubai, Florence, London, and Paris host both American study abroad students and degree-seeking students from over 120 countries, resulting in a richly diverse culture environment.
AustraLearn
The AustraLearn program allows students to choose from 23 universities in Australia, eight universities in New Zealand, or in Fiji. Courses are available in a variety of majors including special courses in marine biology and outdoor recreation.
Burgundy School of Business Exchange Program
The Burgundy School of Business offers courses in accounting, business law, business administration, finance, human resources, information systems, international business, management, marketing, or statistics. WIU exchange students can take courses conducted in English or French for a semester.
Consortial Programs
Western Illinois University has joined groups of colleges and universities that have united to offer study abroad programs to students at member-institutions. One of these consortia, the Illinois Consortium for International Studies and Programs, operates affordable study abroad programs in Austria and England.
Cultural Experiences Abroad
The Cultural Experiences Abroad program offers study opportunities in Argentina, Australia, China, Costa Rica, Czeck Republic, England, France, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Russia, and Spain. Academic studies in general education and major courses are supplemented with social and cultural activities ranging from cooking classes to flamenco dancing to volunteering at local orphanages.
Denmark's International Study Program
Denmark’s International Study Program enables students to study in Copenhagen, Denmark. This program covers courses in general education as well as several majors. Summer programs include sessions in international business, biology, and political science.
Educational Programmes Abroad
Educational Programmes Abroad allows students to participate in internships in Belgium, England, France, Germany, Scotland, or Spain.
Faculty-Led Programs
Short-term (ten days to six weeks) courses conducted internationally by WIU faculty are available. Students pay WIU tuition and fees as well as program-related costs. Although the programs change from year to year, past programs have visited China, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, England, France, Greece, Italy, Mexico, and Russia. Enrollment in some faculty-led programs is restricted by major.
German Exchange Programs
By agreement with the German State of Baden-Württemberg, Western Illinois University maintains a full-year exchange program with the University of Mannheim. This program is supported by scholarships for WIU and German students who wish to participate in a year of study abroad. WIU students must have a minimum of two semesters of college German. The exchange is open to students in most academic disciplines. The University also maintains exchange relationships with the Universities of Bayreuth and Bamberg in the State of Bavaria. Requirements vary with each program.
International Business Programs
The WIU College of Business and Technology currently has relationships with universities in Brazil, Canada, Chile, England, Finland, France, Mexico, and The Netherlands. Students enrolled in a College of Business and Technology program have the opportunity to spend a semester abroad in a variety of different programs.
International Studies Abroad
International Studies Abroad allows students to participate in a language-based academic program that emphasizes language acquisition and cultural immersion for students at various levels of proficiency. Study locations include Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, England, France, Italy, Mexico, Peru, and Spain.
Institute for Study Abroad, Butler University
The Institute for Study Abroad-Butler allows students study abroad opportunities in ten countries, including: Argentina, Australia, China, Chile, Costa Rica, Cuba, England, Mexico, New Zealand, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Scotland, Spain, and Wales. This program offers excellent and extensive academic and personal support services for qualified American undergraduates seeking to earn academic credit overseas.
Kansai Gaidai University — Japan
Students may study for one semester or one year with Kansai Gaidai University in Osaka, Japan. Fall and spring semesters are open to students who are beginning Japanese. Asian studies courses in art, business, humanities, religion, and philosophy are conducted in English.
Noordelijke Hogeschool Exchange Program — Holland
Business and technology majors may study for a semester with the Noordelijke Hogeschool in Leeuwarden, Holland. Students should be juniors or seniors. Classes are conducted in English, and the spring semester works best for exchange students. Limited scholarships are available.
Technologico de Monterrey Mexico
At Technologico de Monterrey (TEC) WIU students may study during fall, spring, and summer terms at seven different campus locations. Study may include instruction in intensive Spanish, business, hotel and tourism, Mexican culture, environmental studies, internships, and regular TEC coursework.
University of Central England Exchange Program
Students majoring in business, law enforcement and justice administration, political science, sociology, and the social sciences are invited to spend a semester or year in the University of Central England in the city of Birmingham. WIU exchange students should be at least in their sophomore year.
Western Illinois Spanish Experience (WISE) — Mexico
WISE in Mexico is a five-week program offered in cooperation with the University of Guadalajara’s Centro De Estudios para Extranjeros. Participants live with a Mexican family and are enrolled in a course of intensive language training at a level appropriate to their skills, earning nine semester hours applicable to a Spanish major or minor.
Western Illinois Spanish Experience (WISE) — Spain
WISE in Spain is offered alternating years during the spring semester (2009, 2011, etc.) WISE in Spain is a travel-study program of cultural immersion and intensive language training. Students study in Salamanca in northwestern Spain during February and March, then spend April in Castellon on the Mediterranean coast. Participants live with a Spanish family and are enrolled in a course of intensive Spanish at a level appropriate to their skills, earning 15 semester hours applicable to a Spanish major or minor.
Western Illinois Studies Abroad — France
This program allows qualified students in French to spend a semester at the Institut de Touraine, a private school for non-native French students located in Tours, France. Students who have had at least three years of French in high school or one year at WIU are eligible. Fifteen semester hours at WIU can be earned for 25 hours of class each week consisting of 23 hours of language studies and two hours of studies in civilization.
Western Illinois Studies Abroad — Québec, Canada
This program allows qualified students in French to spend five weeks during the summer at the Université Laval, North America’s oldest Francophone university, located in Québec City, Canada. Students who have had at least three years of French in high school or one year at WIU are eligible. Seven semester hours at WIU can be earned for 25 hours of class each week
Other Worldwide Study Sites
The Center for International Studies is prepared to assist students in selecting numerous other quality programs around the world, obtaining academic credit, and retaining financial assistance.

Western's English as a Second Language (WESL) Institute

Western's English as a Second Language (WESL) Institute, accredited by the Commission on English Language Program Accreditation, provides an intensive program in academic English for international students who are preparing to enter an American college or university as well as others needing ESL services. The WESL curriculum is designed and taught by professional faculty to prepare students academically, socially, and culturally for success as university students. The English as a Second Language Program is offered during the spring, summer, and fall semesters. It consists of three levels of instruction: Foundation, Intermediate, and University Preparation. Upon arrival, students take the WESL English Proficiency Placement Test and are thereby placed in the appropriate level or directly into the University. Students who place at the highest level and who meet WIU admission requirements may be admitted to the dual level in which they are enrolled part-time at the WESL Institute and part-time at the University. The WESL program consists of two 16-week semesters and an eight-week summer session which follow the WIU academic calendar. For additional information on WESL go to www.wiu.edu/international.

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