Student Affairs

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OPPORTUNITIES
Students continuing beyond their first year
and transfer students are often looking
for opportunities to continue to make the
most of their time in college while also
preparing for life after college. Take time
to encourage your student to start looking
at career development options, leadership
development and graduate school. This is
also the time your student may begin to
think about off-campus housing. You can’t
forget about the excitement that awaits
surrounding graduation!
As you navigate supporting your
experienced Tiger, it is also important to
recognize each new year in college can
present new challenges in their transition.
Most notably has been the sophomore
slump. Yes, the sophomore slump is a
thing. Your student’s first year in college is
exciting! They are excited to come to college
and start their journey as an adult. They are
curious about what college is like, the new
friends they will meet and having a fresh start. Sophomore year feels different. In the first
year of college, students have more attention on them. There is Orientation, and a variety of
transitional efforts and programs for new students as they figure everything out. Then, they
hit their sophomore year, and college no longer has the spark of newness. Also at this point,
they have started to see a career is more reachable as they start to get into their major classes.
After being home for the summer, they may have realized their relationships at home have
shifted and some may be drifting away.
As your student approaches the end of their college experience, they are faced with equally
important transitional concerns. Graduating students will have to consider how they
will maintain relationships with college peers and mentors, what the next phase of their
relationship with family members entails and how to connect with new people. For many
students, college becomes a home away from home and to leave it brings many of the same
emotions and feelings they experienced when they left home to begin their studies. It is also
important to recognize that for some students they still have many questions or unknowns
about life after college. Overall, there is a lot happening.
STUDY ABROAD
Clemson University students are strongly encouraged to incorporate an international
experience into their time at Clemson. There are a variety of programs offered to Clemson
students, which include third-party, exchange and faculty-directed options. All study
abroad programs are offered through Clemson’s partnerships and affiliations with overseas
universities, study abroad providers and institutions. Programs are available for all
disciplines and interests including internships and volunteer opportunities. Nothing adds
to a college experience like living and learning in a new and exciting global environment.
EXPERIENCED TIGERS
PARENT TESTIMONIAL
“Although our daughter wished she had
done more research on the politics,
economic issues and social relations
in the country where she studied,
her overall experience studying
abroad made her very confident.
She has shared on several occasions
she actually found herself while in
Argentina. She has a new passion and
drive in future goals she did not have
before. The experience also gave her
the opportunity to connect with other
people from different cultures and
backgrounds.”
Charlene and Tensley Cheeks
Chesnee, S.C.
Whether students go a few weeks, a semester or an entire year, the lessons they learn and the
perspectives they discover from foreign study will stay with them long after graduation. Once
they’ve decided they want to study abroad, they should talk with their academic adviser and
attend a Study Abroad 101 session, offered twice a week in Martin E-304, to learn about how to
start the process.
Top-Five Myths
1. Students can’t afford to study abroad.
Students have many options when it comes to the finances of study abroad. On a Clemson
Exchange program or a faculty-directed program, students pay Clemson in-state tuition
and fees, even if they are an out-of- state student. Many of our third-party affiliates offer
programs equivalent to Clemson in-state tuition or less. Finally, many scholarships, grants
and loans can be used to study abroad, and there are specific study abroad scholarships
available to students.
2. Students won’t graduate on time if they study abroad.
Students can study abroad and still graduate in four years. Whether they participate in a
third-party, exchange or a faculty-directed program they will receive credit for their study
abroad that can go toward their major or minor. Students should plan ahead and meet with
both their academic adviser and study abroad coordinator.
3. Students need to speak a foreign language.
Students do not have to speak a foreign language to study abroad. Clemson offers many
programs taught in English that are located in countries whose native language is not
English. Studying abroad can also be a great way for students to learn a foreign language,
even if they start from the beginning.
4. Studying abroad won’t work withmy student’s major.
Studying abroad can fit the course work students need, no matter their major. From
engineering to education, there are programs designed for everyone, and they will receive
academic credit for their experience. Students should start exploring their options early to
fit a program into their course schedule.
5. An internship is better for my student’s degree.
Many programs offer internships abroad, and any study abroad experience will improve a
student’s resume. In today’s global marketplace, international experience demonstrates an
ability to work independently and shows a level of communication, knowledge and leadership
skills found in opportunities off campus.
The study abroad Orientation academic engagement session has many of these answers.
For more information, visit
GRADUATE DEGREES
Your student should consider whether a graduate degree is required to reach their
professional goals as soon as possible. Academic advisers can help your student map out
career goals and how to reach them. In some fields, a graduate degree is the standard
expectation of hiring managers. If your student’s field is one of them, encourage them to
consider one of Clemson’s accelerated graduate degree programs, like a combined bachelor’s
and master’s degree, or direct-entry Ph.D. (no master’s required). You might want to share
“Graduate School Q&A” with your student; you can find it at
Combined Bachelor’s and Graduate Degree Plan
Clemson adds educational value with combined bachelor’s to graduate “Fast-Track” degree
plans. A combined bachelor’s to graduate degree allows your student to engage in graduate
education while still completing a bachelor’s degree, and courses may count toward
requirements for both the bachelor’s and graduate degree. Many students complete the
PARENT TESTIMONIAL
“Creative Inquiry is one of Clemson’s
unique academic programs, which
encourages collaborative research
between professors and students.
The projects help students apply what
they are learning in class to real-
world settings. Our daughter, a senior
language and international health
major, participated in a project at an
elementary school, which focused on
the effect exercise and nutrition have
on the diabetes rate in young children.
Participation in CI is a great way to
get to know professors, meet other
students and hone research skills.”
Drew and Caroline Czerkawski
North Wilesboro, N.C.