 Education Abroad Programs
Enroll Locally, Think Globally
In today’s globally connected community, global knowledge, skills, and experiences are more important than ever. MATC offers many interesting and exciting ways for students and the community to connect with people and places around the world.
“Real World Skills, Real World Smart” is Madison Area Technical College’s pledge to educating students for life and work in today’s globally connected community. MATC is committed to serving as a leader in international learning, and to providing students with the knowledge, skills, and experiences needed to develop a holistic understanding of global issues, events, and peoples.
 Our education abroad programs strive at “transforming lives, one at a time.” Study abroad is an experience that not only provides you with "real world" competencies, but has the potential to change the way you see the world.
MATC offers education abroad programs in many different formats to suit the varied needs of our students, from full semester programs at partner colleges abroad to less than two-week short term programs that can provide a window to the world for students with less flexible work or family commitments. See the information below or use the quick links above to learn more about MATC education abroad opportunities.
Why Study Abroad
“I don’t think I can even put into words how this experience changed my life… I not only learned about another culture and about other people, but I learned a lot about myself as well.”
-- Zina Soltis (Costa Rica 2004)
Studying abroad in Australia gave me an opportunity to learn about a different culture and the lifestyle these individuals live. I was able to learn how independent I am and the leadership qualities I can use to help others. It allowed me to visit another country while earning college credits that will help me in reaching my goal of graduating from college a year early.
-- Shawna Smith (Australia 2007)
I am really surprised about how much independence I have gained from the experience and how much I learned. I greatly improved my Spanish and have so much more motivation to learn more.
-- Wendy Laughnan (Spain 2005)
Education abroad provides a real world opportunity to build global knowledge, skills and experiences. Employers look at study abroad as both an indication that prospective employees are knowledgeable about global issues, but also demonstrates independence and initiative of a self-starting and creative leader in the workplace. Specific study abroad programs can build language skills or expertise in specific subject areas.
Earn MATC Credit While Having the Experience of a Lifetime
 Most MATC education abroad programs are designed around high quality credit courses. These programs allow you to earn credits in your program area or work toward college transfer while being engaged in experiential learning in exciting world locations. Courses are included in your MATC college transcript and participation in MATC programs abroad allows students to maintain all MATC enrollment privileges including financial aid, wait lists for programs, and credits cumulated for college transfer.
Eligibility
Education abroad is designed to place learners in new and sometimes challenging learning environments. To help prepare students for this experience, most programs apply the following eligibility requirements:
MATC education abroad programs are open to students who have completed at least 12 college credits and have maintained a Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.75 or higher. Language programs abroad generally require at least one semester of college training in the language of study (or equivalent high school or heritage language competency). Many programs also require completion of a basic writing course (Communication Skills 1 or equivalent) by the time of travel.
Programs also require two faculty recommendations (forms available with program application), a short essay outlining motivation and learning goals for study abroad, and documented transcripts of college study.
It is the policy of MATC not to discriminate on the basis of disability in access to or participation in its programs or activities. MATC provides reasonable accommodations to assist persons with disabilities, which effect their ability to access or participate in its programs or activities. Although it is the intention of MATC to provide accessible education abroad opportunities to all students, legal mandates to provide reasonable accommodations in the United States are not consistent worldwide. Persons who wish to request reasonable accommodations for an education abroad activities should contact Disability Resource Services at least 12 weeks in advance of international travel.
Financial Aid and Scholarships 
Most MATC education abroad programs are designed so that students who are eligible for financial aid can utilize that aid toward their program abroad. Students should consult with a financial aid counselor once they have identified a program of interest to see what aid packages might be available.
Some program locations have competitive scholarships to help support student participation in education abroad. Check with the International Education Coordinator about what scholarship opportunities might be available.
Full Semester Programs
Canterbury England
Study British history, literature and other college transfer courses in a comfortable community an hour south of London. Christ Church University College is a liberal arts college serves approximately 12,000 undergraduate and graduate students. Available Fall or Spring semesters annually.
Salzburg, Austria
Study German language and culture in the heart of Old Europe. Salzburg College, a small liberal arts college, specializes in study abroad education for U.S. students. All classes are taught in English, but the local language of Austria is German. Available Fall or Spring semesters annually.
 Seville, Spain [Coming in 2008-09]
Study spanish language and a variety of liberal arts and humanities courses at the International College of Seville in beautiful Seville, Spain. All courses are taught in English, but the local language is Spanish. Available Fall and Spring Semesters.
Makuhari, Japan [Coming Spring 2009]
MATC and Kanda University of International Studies (KUIS), a private university of approximately 3,000 students have established a reciprocal exchange program. MATC students can spend a semester at KUIS studying Japanese language, culture, and other courses while continuing to pay MATC home tuition (up to 12 credits, additional costs for lodging, meals, and airfare apply). All courses are in English, but the local language is Japanese. At least 1 semester college Japanese (or 1 year high school) required. Available Fall and Spring semesters, annually.
Summer Programs
Cuernavaca, Mexico
Study Spanish in the “city of eternal spring” at the Tecnológico de Monterrey. Classes in this 5-week program are taught by native Spanish speakers on a safe and comfortable college campus in an environment of Spanish language immersion.
San José, Costa Rica
Study Spanish and Latin American culture in this 5-week language immersion program at the Forester Instituto Internacional, an international language institute. Courses are taught by English-speaking instructors, but emphasis will be placed on Spanish language acquisition and practice.
Salzburg, Austria
Salzburg College offers a 6-week summer program similar to the semester program described above.
Sydney, Australia
Learn about the unique history and culture of the “land down under” in this exciting 4-week program at Macquarie University. Courses are team-taught by experts in various aspects of Australian history and culture and the program includes numerous field trips throughout the region.
Short-Term Travel Opportunities
Many programs and departments offer one- to two-week study abroad tours as part of a semester-long course related to the area of study. Past programs have included France, Italy, Spain and Germany among others. Program dates and locations change regularly; contact the international programs coordinator for current offerings.
Upcoming programs planned short term programs for 2008-09 include:
- Cultural Tour of Germany (Fall 2008)
- Service Learning: Health Care in Rural Belize (January 2009)
- Service Learning: Renewable Energy for the Developing World in Costa Rica (January 2009)
- Culture and History Tour of France (Spring 2009)
- Interior Design Tour of Spain (Spring 2009)
- Cultural Tour of Peru (Summer 2009)
 For more information on any of these programs,
please contact:
Geoff Bradshaw, Ph.D.
International Education Coordinator
Madison Area Technical College
Arts & Sciences Office
Truax Campus, Rm. 246
3550 Anderson Street
Madison, WI 53704
(608) 246-6165
gbradshaw (at) matcmadison.edu
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