Family & Friends
The Towson University Study Abroad & Away Office encourages parents, friends, and family to take an active role in supporting their student's interest in study abroad or away. Your encouragement and support can make all the difference in the success of their experience.
“ Living in South Africa for a semester was one of the best decisions I've ever made. I gained a new perspective on my major, was exposed to a completely new culture, made lifelong friends, and grew as an individual. I have become more open-minded, self-aware, and willing to do things out of my comfort zone. ”
Frequently asked questions
What are the benefits of studying abroad/away?
Studies have shown that study abroad and away has a long-term positive impact on a student's personal, professional, and academic life and can directly influence their career path, world-view, and self-confidence. Participants gain not only a global outlook but also a new perspective on the U.S. They learn to be more adaptable, acquire cross-cultural skills, gain insight into how their academic field is studied and practiced elsewhere, and significantly improve their professional and financial potential.
- TU students who study abroad or away are more likely to complete their degree, graduate faster, and graduate with a higher GPA than their peers who don't.
- 11.6% of first gen students are more likely to graduate in four years compared to peers who did not study abroad
- 90% of education abroad alumni say that study abroad helped them build job skills
- Students who study abroad earn higher starting salaries when they enter the workforce than those who don't - on average $4,159 more in their first job after graduation.
- 90% of executives from 68 countries emphasized the need for global experience
- 58% of surveyed study abroad alumni said their international experience contributed to securing their first job post graduation
Bhatt, R., et al. (2024). Education Abroad and College Completion. Research in Higher Education. https://doi.org/10.1007/s11162-022-09673-z
Dietrich, A., et al. (2025). International Experience as a Career Asset: Exploring the Earnings Impact of Education Abroad Participation. The Forum on Education Abroad. doi.org/10.36366/R.SS2025
Dietrich, A., et al. (2025). Global Learning for a Competitive Workforce: Findings from a National Survey of Education Abroad Alumni. The Forum on Education Abroad. https://www.forumea.org/alumni-study-2025.html
How can I get involved?
As your student navigates the study abroad/away program selection process and prepares for their experience, you may have a number of questions of your own. We have provided the following resources in response to the most commonly asked questions from family and friends which we hope you will find useful.
What kind of study abroad/away program will my student participate in?
There are different types of study abroad and away programs available to students including TU Exchanges, TU Programs, TU Faculty-led Programs and Non-TU Programs and experiences are offered in all academic terms from one week to a full year. For a full description of programs and to utilize our search feature, visit the Find a Program page.
How does my student choose a program? How can I help?
All students are encouraged to view our Study Abroad/Away 101 video to learn about the basics. Our Study Abroad & Away group advising session is mandatory for all students (except those participating in a TU faculty-led program) and covers logistics including searching our program portfolio, the application process, financial aid and scholarships, course, grade, and credit transfers, and other related rocedures. Once students have attended a group advising session, they can schedule a one on one meeting with a Study Abroad/Away Adviser - a member of our full time staff who is dedicated to advising on a specific region of the world. The adviser will help your student review program options and provide advice on how to choose a program that suits their specific needs. Take a look at the Things to Consider When Planning Your Study Abroad or Away Experience worksheet in our Study Abroad/Away Advising Packet.
What is the first step for my student?
The first step for students is to view the Study Abroad/Away 101 video. Another great opportunity for students to learn more about study abroad/away is to attend the Study Abroad & Away Fair, held twice a year in September and February. Please check the Study Abroad & Away Fair page for this year’s dates.
Check out our Study Abroad & Away Roadmap for an overview of the entire process.
What will it cost?
The cost of study abroad/away varies significantly depending on the program, destination, and length of stay. It is important that you discuss an overall budget with your student to help them choose the right program. Feel free to take a look at our Policies page for information on billing. Check out the Study Abroad & Away Costs Worksheet in our Study Abroad & Away Advising Packet.
Do financial aid and scholarships apply toward the cost of the program?
Yes. TU financial aid can be applied toward TU exchanges and programs, and approved Non-TU programs but there may be some restrictions depending on the type of aid they receive. Students can request additional loan funds to help cover study abroad costs by submitting a Study Abroad/Away Budget to the TU Financial Aid Office. It's also a good idea to schedule an appointment with a Financial Aid Adviser to discuss borrowing options for the term abroad/away.
TU and external scholarships are also available for study abroad and away. Click here for more information about using financial aid for study abroad and away and a list of scholarships.
For answers to more of your questions, please visit the Supporting Your Student page.