Program Overview

Consortium for Overseas Student Teaching (COST) Program

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

Program Overview

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.

Program Features

• The program 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.
• 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.

Benefits

• Increased sense of confidence
• Improved self-efficacy
• A greater sense of how to integrate an international perspective into their profession as a teacher
• First-hand knowledge and experience with professional peers, students, and their families within another culture

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 requires a high level of student independence, initiative, and engagement.
• Some destinations will require a visa or other permit to reside in the assigned country.

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). During the semester abroad, COST students will enroll in 15 credit hours, including:

• EDPL 4650 Professional Internship Seminar (3 credit hours)
• One of the following professional internship experiences:
  • EDPL 4580 & 4590 Professional Internship in Early Childhood and Elementary Education (12 credits)
  • EDPL 4610 & 4620 Professional Internship in Middle Childhood (12 credits)
  • EDPL 4630 & 4640 Professional Internship in Adolescence to Young Adult (12 credits)

Cost

The total estimated cost for this program for Fall 2025 or Spring 2026 includes:

• Undergraduate Estimate: $1,900 + Estimated Out of Pockets (based on location) + 6 Credits of Undergraduate Spring Athens-Campus Tuition/Fees
• Line Item breakdown:
  • Tuition & Fees: Based on individual Tuition Guarantee or Graduate Program of Study
  • Program Fee: $1,000
  • EDPL 4650 Lab Fee: $300
  • Study Abroad Administrative Fee: $150
  • Estimated Out-of-Pocket Expenses:
    • Passport and Photos ($185)
    • COST application fee ($200)
    • Criminal Background Check ($65)
    • Airfare (Varies by location)
    • Meals (Varies by location)
    • Housing (Varies by location)
    • In-Country Transportation (Varies by location)
    • Immunization (Varies by location)
    • Visa or entry documents & processing fees (Varies by location)
    • Required Cell phone (Varies by location)
    • Incidentals (Varies by location)

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 of maturity and must be willing to live and work independently abroad.
• An interview with the program director is required.

Entry and Exit Requirements

• U.S. citizens are required to have a valid U.S. passport when traveling outside of the United States.
• 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 their COST host country for the length of this program.
• Participants may need to show sufficient funds to support themselves while in-country.