Does studying abroad delay graduation?

Does studying abroad delay graduation? It's a common question that many students find themselves wondering when they start considering the idea of study abroad. It may seem scary to disrupt your carefully planned academic timeline or falling behind in certain coursework. But in reality, studying abroad is designed to integrate smoothly into a student's academic journey, allowing you to continue your studies while keeping your planned graduation date. With proper planning and guidance, almost any student can find a time and place to make study abroad a reality! 

Here is alumni ambassador Adam's take on what you need to know:

One of the biggest misconceptions about studying abroad is that it delays graduation. Students think that their credits won’t transfer, or that they won’t be able to take a certain number of credits. However, this myth is far from the truth. Studying abroad can fit seamlessly into your academic journey, and in many cases, it can even enhance your educational experience without delaying graduation.

CIS Abroad offers a variety of classes that support different majors. This means that whether you are a STEM major, a business major, or even pursuing a double major, there are classes for you to take. It is even possible for student athletes to study abroad! Before you even step foot on a plane, advisors work with you to create a plan that integrates your study abroad experience into your academic schedule. This means the credits you earn while studying abroad can directly count toward your major, minor, or general education requirements. I met with my counselor one time, and it was super easy to find the classes that would transfer. The last thing I wanted was to take my classes abroad, and then realize that they wouldn’t even transfer. My counselor assured me that this would not happen as we had scheduled my semester together.

Additionally, studying abroad offers unique opportunities to take courses not available at your home university. These classes can expand your perspective, deepen your expertise in your field, and make your degree stand out to future employers. For example, a business student might study international markets firsthand, or an art history major might explore Renaissance masterpieces while living in Italy. My university abroad offered a lot of different fun classes. The main one that a lot of people took while I was abroad was Introduction to the Italian language and Culture. This lets students learn more about the culture they are currently in and allows them to get more out of their experience abroad. Another class was Art of Rome. This class studied the history of art in Rome, and even had some classes off-site, allowing students to see the art firsthand. What better place to take this class than in Rome?

Even if your program doesn't align perfectly with your degree requirements, many students choose to study abroad during summer sessions. These programs are a shorter time and allow a student to take just one or two classes. If you are later in your college career and only have a few classes left, this could be a great option. Also, there are programs where you intern abroad, which is also a great experience as you get international work experience.

Beyond academics, studying abroad fosters personal growth, intercultural communication skills, and independence — qualities that go beyond the classroom. These experiences don’t just make you a better student; they make you a more well-rounded, adaptable, and globally aware individual. Employers often look for candidates with such qualities, making your study abroad experience a powerful addition to your resume. Studying abroad does not delay your education, it enriches it. Connect with an advisor on your campus as early as possible to get started!

Blog by Adam Witty, Grand Canyon University
Semester in Rome - American University of Rome