About Us

Appalachian combines a strong liberal arts foundation with a comprehensive, pervasive, and integrated commitment to internationalization. The mission of internationalization efforts at Appalachian is to develop awareness, knowledge, appreciation, and respect of cultural differences in both domestic and international contexts in its students, faculty, staff and the surrounding communities. The University is also dedicated to creating a campus environment that builds the theoretical and practical skills needed to interact effectively in a global society. Through the curriculum, co-curricular activities, relationships with scholars and students from around the world, education abroad programs, grants, and scholarships for collaborative research abroad, and numerous cross-cultural programs, Appalachian creates opportunities for students to understand the world and be active participants in it. Appalachian’s ability to fulfill the commitment to internationalization is the result of bright and curious students working with an inspired and diverse faculty, a demanding and interdisciplinary curriculum, and a thriving international program.

Education Abroad
Appalachian Overseas Education Programs: Appalachian Overseas Education Programs offer students a wide selection of faculty-led, short-term study abroad programs. Students have the opportunity to earn up to nine credit hours which are applied toward their degree programs while spending two to eight weeks abroad. With the exception of some language programs, Appalachian faculty members teach short-term study abroad courses in English. Financial aid is available for short-term study abroad. Students can also apply for a limited number of education abroad scholarships offered through OIED.

International Student Exchange and Study Abroad: Through bi-lateral exchange, consortia, and affiliated agreements Appalachian students have access to approximately 200 foreign sites to consider for semester and year programs of study. OIED maintains direct relationships with many institutions abroad, and Appalachian is a member of the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP). While many locations offer the opportunity to study in a foreign language, approximately one third of the foreign institutions offer classes in English. Although the programs vary widely in cost, many programs have costs equivalent to tuition and fees at Appalachian State University. Students who receive scholarships and financial aid can apply these benefits to the cost of studying abroad. Students can apply for a limited number of education abroad scholarships offered through OIED.

International Outreach
International Outreach at Appalachian serves as a cultural resource center providing resources and developing intercultural programming and training initiatives to serve the campus as well as local and regional communities of Northwestern North Carolina. The focus of programming efforts in International Outreach promotes the internationalization of the Appalachian campus, local community, and K-12 schools in this region. The mission of International Outreach is to deepen global understanding through promoting cross-cultural sharing and learning opportunities between the Appalachian students, staff, regional schools, and community members.

International Research and Development
OIED strengthens the internationalization of Appalachian through world-class contributions to education, research, and development across the globe. OIED designs and implements international technical assistance and training projects and contributes to both the theory and the practice of international development. Through its development and participant training projects, research, and outreach activities, OIED works to enhance the capacity of developing nations to meet critical challenges. OIED works to bridge the gap between the theory and practice of international development by offering Appalachian faculty, staff, and students with research, service and learning opportunities abroad.

International Students and Scholar Services
International Student Services: Appalachian hosts a growing number of International students. OIED provides administrative support services for visa processing and immigration regulation compliance, health insurance, taxation, travel planning and housing. OIED also supports International student participation in a range of programs and activities that enhance their overall positive educational experience at Appalachian. International Appalachian (INTAPP), a university-funded student service organization, works with OIED to help orient and acclimate international students to the Appalachian campus.

International Scholar Services: Appalachian hosts a number of international visiting scholars. These scholars teach or team-teach courses with Appalachian faculty members, conduct seminars, mentor students, and serve as guest speakers at various events at Appalachian. OIED provides J Exchange Visitor visa documents (the DS-2019) to those visitors as well as other support services including housing assistance, insurance coverage, initial transportation to Boone, and help with a variety of other logistic and academic needs. OIED processes employment-based (H-1B) visa petitions to enable the hire of international tenure-track faculty members. Additionally OIED provides Permanent Residency visa processing and immigration-related services to these faculty members. The International Faculty, Staff, and Spouse Association (IFSSA) is a vital support resource for all international faculty, staff and their families.

International Studies At Appalachian
Appalachian offers more than 100 international courses and there are specific programs with an international focus. These programs and courses include:
- Bachelor of Arts degree in Global Studies
- Bachelor of Arts degrees in French and Spanish, Bachelor of Science degrees in French, Education and Spanish, Education (for K-12 Teaching)
- Bachelor of Science in Criminal Justice degree with a concentration in International Studies
- Bachelor of Science degree in Political Science with a concentration in International and Comparative Politics
- Bachelor of Science in Business Administration degree in International Business; and International Economics and Business Options (See the Department of Economics listed under the Walker College of Business.)
- Minors also are offered in Global Studies; International Business; French; TESL/Applied Linguistics; Spanish; German; and Chinese. (For description of International Business minor, see listing under the Walker College of Business)
- Foreign language courses are offered in French, German and Spanish; and at the beginner’s level in Arabic, Chinese, Japanese, Latin, and Russian

International Student Admission
An international student wishing to apply for undergraduate admission should first make arrangements in his/her own country to take the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL Test) or the Scholastic Assessment Test (SAT). A student whose native language is not English may not be approved for entry as an undergraduate student (even if she/he meets other requirements) until sufficient evidence of English abilities is received. Funds for financial assistance to international students are limited. Therefore, when applying, she/he must complete an affidavit of support (Form I-134) in order to show sufficient financial resources before a Form I-20 may be issued.

All international students must register with the Assistant Director for International Student and Scholar Services upon their arrival on the campus. International students are considered out-of-state students and pay tuition and fees based upon out-of-state rates. For more information on complete admission requirements for international students, please go to www.admissions.appstate.edu and click link to international student admission.