Various: Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching (COST)

Overview 

The COST program offers teacher candidates the unique opportunity to live abroad while completing their professional internship. The program offers students professional and personal growth in ways that are increasingly important for living and teaching in the United States.

Student teachers are placed in local English-speaking classrooms, providing an unparalleled opportunity to become acquainted with the culture and educational system of the host country.  

COST is a collaboration of colleges and universities in the United States, including Ohio University. COST locations include Armenia, Australia, Belize, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Germany, Ghana, Greece, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Netherlands, New Zealand, South Africa and Spain.  

COST offers a highly personalized experience abroad. Students receive pre-departure support and mentorship from the COST Coordinator in The Patton College of Education at OHIO. Upon placement, students are assigned an overseas site coordinator who assists with in-country logistics. In addition, participants work with an on-site mentor teacher who serves as a model, coach and evaluator in the school setting.  

When possible, students participating in COST live with a host family, gaining an opportunity to become fully immersed in the host culture. Even when students live elsewhere e.g., local apartments or university housing, they are intimately connected to the local culture. All students gain first hand knowledge and experience with professional peers, students and their families within another culture. Benefits also include an increased sense of confidence, improved self-efficacy and a greater sense of how to integrate an international perspective into their profession as a teacher. 

For more information visit the official  COST  website.  

Good to know

• Students are required to complete the course EDTE 4300 Overseas Student Teaching the semester prior to departure.
  • This course will be offered in Spring semesters, permission only.
• Interested students must schedule an appointment with the program director. 
• This program require a high level of student independence, initiative and engagement.
• Some destinations will require a visa or other permit to reside in the assigned country. The lead time for obtaining required document can be very short and will require a high level of attention to detail.

Living Arrangements 

Accommodations will vary depending on location. Some participants live with a family, while others live with other students/teachers, on-campus, or make arrangements to live on their own. Students are typically responsible for making their own housing arrangements, in consultation with the overseas site coordinator.  

Program Dates 

This program is offered during Fall semester or Spring semester.

Specific program dates vary depending on the term and placement. 

Academics  

Before going abroad, COST participants are required to take EDTE 4300 Overseas Student Teaching (3 credits) (offered only Spring semester, permission only*).

COST students must complete regular registration for EDPL 4580, EDPL 4610 or EDPL 4630 Professional Internship and EDPL 4650 Professional Internship Seminar.

COST students must complete registration through the Office of Global Opportunities for one of the following professional internship experiences:

• EDPL 4590 Professional Internship in Early Childhood and Elementary Education (6 credits)
• EDPL 4620 Professional Internship in Middle Childhood (6 credits)
• EDPL 4640 Professional Internship in Secondary Schools (6 credits)

Cost  

The program fee for this program includes: COST supervisory fee, COST placement fee, and international medical health insurance

In addition to the program fee, students should plan for 6 credit hours of tuition*, administrative fee, and out-of-pocket costs. Below is the student budget worksheet for this program, which outlines these costs.  

Undergraduate and Graduate Student Budget Worksheet - Fall 2024 OR Spring 2025

• For a student budget worksheet specific to your assigned destination, please schedule an appointment with an OGO advisor.
• Items that are not related to the program (i.e., additional entertainment, souvenirs, extra travel, contingency funds) are not included in the cost estimates provided and should be budgeted for separately.  

*Note: 

• Non-resident surcharge waived for the credit hours associated with this program. 
• If you are nominated to this program, you will be required to pay a deposit to confirm your participation. The deposit is a down payment on the total costs to be billed by OHIO and is determined by the total cost of the program. 

Looking for Funding Opportunities? 

More information on financial aid and scholarships can be found on our funding pages.

Requirements 

Participants must be OHIO students and have completed all prerequisites for the Professional Internship in the Patton College of Education at Ohio University. Students must have a minimum cumulative 3.0 GPA as well as a minimum 3.0 GPA in their content area[s] of specialization. 

This experience is designed for students prepared to travel abroad independently. Successful applicants will have a high level maturity and must be willing to live and work independently abroad. An interview with the program director is required.  

Students who will be on probation at any point during the program for a conduct offense that took place less than a calendar year from the program start date may not study abroad. Read the entire conduct policy.  

Entry and Exit Requirements 

U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States. If you plan to study or travel abroad in the next year,  apply for your passport  now. Some countries also require a visa to legally enter or reside in the country. 

US citizens  may need  a visa or other special documents to enter your COST host country for the length of this  program. You may need to show sufficient funds to support yourself while in-country.  Please also note that visa requirements may vary if you plan to stay in the country longer than the program dates or travel to other countries before, during or after the program.  Please familiarize yourself with these recommendations and requirements prior to applying to a program.  

For more specific visa related information, please visit OGO’s  Visa Information Page 

Information for  non-U.S. citizens  

Resources 

• Health and Safety
• Additional Information on Country 
• Accessibility Requests and Accommodations