Academic Advisors - Learning Abroad - The University of Utah

We recommend that students begin with the First Steps information on our website. The best way to learn about the different programs available is Program Search on our website. Each program coordinated by our office has a profile in the Program Search that includes information about costs, deadlines, coursework, and much more!

There are over 500 programs in the system, so we recommend using the filters to narrow down the options. You can filter the programs by location, languages of instruction, type of program, subjects, and much more! We recommend starting with a broad search and then narrowing to more specific course areas. For example, search for “Science” before searching for “Biology.”

Yes! All Learning Abroad programs are credit-bearing. Students can fulfill general education, major, minor, or elective requirements. Honors credit may also available. All programs offering at least 3 credit hours will automatically fulfill the Undergraduate International Requirement.

Both! Faculty-led and Global Campus programs earn U of U credit. For these programs, the courses offered are listed on program webpages in our Program Search. In most cases, prerequisites are also listed on the program page.

Exchange and affiliate programs earn transfer credit. Students can work with our Learning Abroad Coordinators to determine which courses will be offered while they are abroad. If your student is interested in a program earning transfer credit, be sure to discuss any limitations or restrictions on transfer credits for students in that major or minor.

Yes. Students should meet with you to discuss their academic plans for the program. As part of our application process, students are given instructions for pre-approving credit through Course Approvals in TerraDotta. Details on this process are found in the Academic section of the Learning Abroad Handbook.

If a student is participating in an approved Learning Abroad program, the host university or affiliate will send an official transcript to Learning Abroad after the program has ended. Some countries have extremely lengthy grading periods and this process can take 3-6 months. Our office sends the transcript, along with any Transfer Credit Pre-Approval Forms that were submitted to us by the student, to International Admissions. The Admissions office then processes the transfer credit. If there are questions about the pre-approved course equivalencies, the Admissions Office will contact the academic department.

Students should start planning to learn abroad well in advance. The earlier they begin planning, the more options they will have, especially for scholarship funding. At a minimum, we typically recommend that students begin the application process 9-12 months before they plan to go. Veterans intending to use the GI Bill need to allow extra time to acquire permission from the VA.

If your student is interested in a Global Internship, they may find for-credit options with Learning Abroad affiliate providers or the Hinckley Institute. Global Internship programs can be located in our Program Search by choosing “Global Internship” as the Program Type.

There are a variety of program lengths to serve students’ needs. Programs last as little as one week to as long as a full academic year.

Students can go abroad at almost any time in their college career. In order to be considered for a program, students must have a university-level GPA at the application deadline. So most students can participate on a Learning Abroad program as early as the summer following their first year. Transfer students may apply to go abroad as early as their second semester at the U, if their transfer GPA meets minimum requirements.

Students in their final year of school are invited to participate in any Learning Abroad program. However, transferring credit back to the U may take 3-6 months. Students will not be eligible to graduate until transfer credits from abroad have been processed. Generally we recommend that students do not plan to graduate until the term after they return if they are earning transfer credit while abroad.

In most cases, students can use financial aid and scholarships to pay for the program. Students should contact a Financial Aid Counselor to confirm that their selected program will be eligible.

Yes! We award over $250,000 in scholarships annually to Learning Abroad students! On average, the odds of winning a scholarship are at least 25%.

In addition to Office for Global Engagement Scholarships, our students have an outstanding track record for receiving nationally competitive scholarships for learning abroad including the Boren, Gilman Scholarships. Information on these opportunities and other external scholarship competitions can be found on our website.

Each program has unique prerequisites. In general, students must be in good academic and judicial standing to be eligible for a Learning Abroad program. Program-specific requirements are listed in the program profile found in our program search.

Learning Abroad offers advising appointments with a Learning Abraod Coordinator, Program Specialist and Peer Advisors. One on one advising appointments with can be scheduled here. Advising appointments with a Learning Abroad Coordinator or Specialist typically last 45 minutes and cover goals, program opportunities, available scholarships, and much more.

Peer advisors provide drop-in advising and lead our Learning Abroad 101 workshop. All peer advisors have studied abroad. They can speak candidly with interested students and provide helpful insights from a student’s perspective. Students can stop by room 159 in the Union, email us at learningabroad@utah.edu, or call 801-581-5849.

Students interested in Learning Abroad must complete a one-time Learning Abroad 101 information session before they can meet with a Learning Abroad Coordinator. Our office offers these sessions weekly and online.

We cannot stop a student from participating in a non-U of U program, but students need to be aware that they do so at their own risk. Official University of Utah programs are coordinated through the Learning Abroad Office. Programs operated through the Learning Abroad Office undergo an approval process to reduce student risk, ensure quality intercultural experiences, and confirm the academic validity of the onsite program. Over 500 international opportunities have been approved by the U. A list of official U of U Learning Abroad Programs is found in our program search. The Learning Abroad Office strongly encourages students to participate in one of the U’s official programs. There are many benefits to participating in an official program including, but not limited to:

Access to a wide variety of Learning Abroad scholarships
Access to transfer credit pre-approval assistance
Eligibility for the University of Utah international medical and security evacuation insurance policy
Streamlined approval to fulfill the International Requirement through your chosen program
Time abroad is eligible to count toward residency for tuition purposes
Course credits earned abroad are eligible for U of U residency credit
Pre-departure orientation services and workshops
Assistance with financial aid coordination
24/7 emergency support

Students participating in programs that are not listed in our program search need to be aware that the University is not responsible for any aspect of the program. If a student chooses to attend a non-U of U program, please encourage them to review the information on non-U of U programs on our website.

Learning Abroad is happy to assist you. We provide group and individual coaching upon request. For more information, contact Rick Batchelor at rick.batchelor@utah.edu.