Global Education: Worth the Investment
Raising the value of the Muhlenberg experience
Global Education at Muhlenberg College
Muhlenberg strives to make study abroad opportunities affordable and available 
to all qualified students. In a world that is becoming increasingly interdependent, study abroad represents a significant means by which students may better prepare themselves to face challenges of the future. The College encourages students in all science, social science, arts and humanities majors to study overseas at quality institutions in Europe, Australia, Asia, Latin America and Africa.
Quality and Safety
The College supports approximately 120 approved study abroad programs for Muhlenberg student participation.
All our approved programs are continuously monitored to assure that our standards for academic quality and safety are met. Muhlenberg faculty and study abroad staff visit our sites on a regular basis to evaluate the quality of the courses and familiarize themselves with the programs, thereby making them better advisors. More importantly, in a post 9/11 world, our site visits enable us to continuously assess the safety of the housing and travel experiences our students are likely to encounter.
How are Global Education Fees Determined?
When students study on an approved program, they retain all their Muhlenberg and non-Muhlenberg scholarships and financial aid. In cases where there is a difference between our fee and the fee of the host institution, that difference helps us to make Muhlenberg financial aid available.
We also have administrative overhead costs in providing study abroad opportunities. These include covering the costs of pre-departure orientation and information, communication with students on matters such as Muhlenberg housing and registration, administration of the transfer credit process for courses students take at another institution, and reentry activities and events.
Other costly administrative functions include substantial college-wide administrative and academic tasks associated with study abroad, such as the process by which abroad courses are validated for transfer credit, which requires regular institutional review of abroad courses and faculty.
Study abroad is an academic program no different from other curricular programs offered by the College. Some academic programs (the sciences or theatre arts) cost more to offer than other programs (literature or economics). Students, regardless of the program they pursue, are charged the same tuition and fees. Some affiliated education abroad programs are more costly than others. All education abroad students are, however, charged the same Muhlenberg tuition fees.
The total cost of any student’s education is not covered by the tuition and other fees we collect. Our endowment and contributions by College friends and alumni are important to fill the gap. However, the College budget is based on the expectation that all students, including those with financial aid, will make Muhlenberg tuition payments for eight semesters. This assumption also leads to the student paying the Muhlenberg College room and board rate regardless of the rate of the host institution, which could be higher or lower.
Program cost is, however, a factor that must also be taken into account in the selection of approved programs. The number of students that the College can accept for education abroad programs is governed by fiscal prudence to maintain a healthy, balanced college budget. Program costs are carefully monitored in order to accommodate a maximum number of participating students without jeopardizing the College’s financial strength.
There is no study abroad fee structure policy that characterizes all colleges and universities. The policy adopted by Muhlenberg is, however, often encountered, especially by private liberal arts institutions.
"In the increasingly competitive global marketplace, language and cultural skills can help a Muhlenberg graduate stand out to prospective employers."
- Donna Kish-Goodling, Professor Emerita of Economics
Why Global Education
- Higher starting salaries and greater job prospects for students who have studied abroad.
- Prospective employers and graduate schools value study abroad experiences.
- Greater multicultural and global awareness promotes conflict resolution.
- Our national security depends on the foreign language skills and intercultural understanding of members of our government agencies.
- Learn to approach situations involving people from other cultures with greater levels of comfort, satisfaction, confidence and sensitivity.
- Understand the value of cultural diversity.
- Learn to adapt to varying intercultural communication and learning styles.
- Develop global perspectives by gaining insights into international trends, issues and responsibilities.
- Learn about your home location through exposure to international media and contrasting viewpoints.
- Learn a different perspective about your major or minor.
- Learn how to travel and how to take informed risks in unfamiliar situations.
