Why study abroad?
Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime experience. Not only will you improve cross-cultural-communication skills and gain other marketable skills, but you’ll learn how others live, what values they hold and why. You’ll see your own country from a new perspective and begin to appreciate things at home that you may have taken for granted. Study abroad is a time of growth and challenge that takes place in a new and exciting environment.
Most students returning from study abroad programs possess a greater sensitivity and interest in international matters, as well as broadened horizons. Returning students also find immediate practical advantages to overseas study when it comes to participating in on-campus recruiting. More and more employers are looking for well-rounded, bilingual college graduates who have international experience.
Those who wait until after college to travel abroad often find they can travel only for a week or two, due to financial and time constraints. Living in hotels and out of suitcases can’t provide the feeling of residency that comes from the extended stay found in a study abroad program. Being able to live abroad for an extended period is indeed a once-in-a-lifetime experience.
An international experience will:
- Add value to your education
- Let you earn credits towards your degree
- Enhance your employability
- Improve your communication skills
- Help you understand world issues
- Give you access to new information, new technologies, new skills
- Let you make friends, gain a different perspective, broaden your horizon
- Be a great experience
How do I decide where and when to go?
Begin by obtaining information about programs of possible interest to you.
- Talk to students who have studied abroad.
- Attend information meetings and fairs. There is a study abroad fair early September and late January of every year.
- Pick up information material at the campus Study Abroad Office in 119 International Studies Building and in 109 Mumford Hall.
- Search the web.
Decide when you should go
| Period abroad | Pros | Cons |
|---|---|---|
| Summer between your Freshman and Sophomore year |
Take summer courses abroad, involve yourself in a cultural and or/language immersion program, do an internship, participate in a study tour |
None |
| A semester or year during your Sophomore year |
Great year to complete general education requirements Good timing for expanding horizons and learn about yourself and/or your choice of major |
May not be ready for upper level courses. Many ACES partners for semester or academic year do not provide suitable general education courses. You may not be ready for courses pertaining to your major as offered by the partner institution. |
| Summer between your Sophomore and Junior year |
Take summer courses abroad, involve yourself in a cultural and or/language immersion program, do an internship, participate in a study tour |
None, but don't forget that it is the semester or year abroad that will give you the full-fledged study abroad experience |
| A semester or year during your Junior year |
You are prepared to take more advanced courses in your major Allows plenty of time for transfer of credit and course approvals from the host university. Likely to know major so course selections abroad can be more accurately chosen to satisfy degree requirements |
None |
| Summer between your Junior and Senior Year |
Take summer courses abroad, involve yourself in a cultural and or/language immersion program, do an internship, participate in a study tour |
None |
| A semester during your Senior year |
Still not too late! Great use of remaining "electives" |
Might miss a few opportunities offered by College of ACES Student Development and Career Services Office |
| Summer after graduation |
Take summer courses abroad, involve yourself in a cultural and or/language immersion program, do an internship, participate in a study tour |
Better late than never. |
Decide what you want in a program and thus where you want to go
Is the destination, language, culture the determining factor? Do you want to study abroad for a couple of weeks, a semester or an entire academic year? Do you want to work on a foreign language? Do you want to take general education courses or courses specific to your major?
Make sure you meet the requirements of the program you want
Eligibility requirements, application procedures and deadlines vary somewhat from program to program. You will usually need an essay outlining why you are interested in study abroad in general and this program in particular, letters of reference, a resume, a current transcript. Depending on the program, there may be a minimum language requirement. For some programs, you need to complete an application form provided by the partner institution. You must investigate each program individually.
Getting a spot in a program at a partner university can be very competitive. Your grades, demonstrated commitment to the study abroad experience, and character will play a role in getting selected for a program, be it through the Study Abroad Office, ACES, another college on campus or outside providers.
Seek academic advice early in your college experience
Study abroad programs vary widely. With long-range academic planning, you can accommodate a semester or year abroad without extending your college stay beyond four years. Consult with your academic advisor and with Dean Bohn early on.
How much will it cost?
| UIUC Range IV tuition |
Varies by semester and summer terms. Refer to the published UIUC tuition rates. Range IV tuition is a fraction of the Range I tuition you normally pay. |
| Range IV General Fee |
Refer to the published UIUC fees |
| SAO fees |
$25 - 300 (varies with duration, includes membership in the Intl. Illini Association) |
| Program fees |
Highly variable. Many ACES programs do not have additional fees. |
| CISI international health insurance |
$20.50– $346 (depends on duration) |
| Passport and photos |
$100 (if applicant hasn't got passport yet) |
| Visa |
$50 - $ 400 (depends on the destination, often not needed) |
| Airfare |
$400 - 2000 (round trip, using student discount agents such as STA) |
| Ground transportation |
$50 - 700 (highly variable) |
| Room |
$200 - 800 per month (varies by location) |
| Board |
$150 - 500 per month (varies by location and type of service desired) |
| Personal Expenses |
$1,000 (highly variable) |
The University of Illinois has a strong commitment to study abroad. Therefore undergraduate students only need to pay Range IV tuition to maintain enrollment at the University of Illinois while studying abroad. When participating in an approved program, all credits will transfer. Spending a semester or year abroad may actually cost much less than taking courses on campus!
What courses can I take abroad?
Study abroad credits from an approved exchange program will always transfer to UIUC and will count toward the 126 hours needed in most ACES degree programs to graduate. The easiest courses to offer equivalencies to UIUC courses are for your general education requirements (but not advanced composition) and electives. You should plan to take the majority of courses in your major at UIUC, particularly those at the 300 level. However, courses pertaining to your major can and will certainly transfer, too. How courses will transfer is determined through the course approval process.
Failed courses will appear on transcripts. However, students can elect the “Credit Only/No Grade” option for all open electives, i.e., the courses which are not used to satisfy degree requirements. With respect to changing the status of a course from “credit and grade” to “credit only/no grade” the same deadlines apply to courses abroad as to courses taken on campus (deadlines are listed in the Calendar in the Timetable).
How do I apply for an ACES sponsored program?
The application for most study abroad programs is electronic. Find the program you want at www.studyabroad.uiuc.edu, click the application button and follow further instructions.
It is recommended to meett with Dean Bohn about 6 months in advance to find out about the procedure for the program you plan to participate in.
How do I receive credit for courses taken abroad?
The College of ACES is very accommodating in accepting credit from the foreign institutions - if your requests are reasonable! Courses not used to satisfy specific requirements count as electives, so remember to consider taking courses you can't get at UIUC!
Before Departure
The Study Abroad Office and ACES have complete course approval packages for you that explain the process.
Follow the instructions for the course approval. Your final step is to take them to 109 Mumford.
During the UIUC early enrollment period, register for ACES 299 for the subsequent term (3 cr for Summer Session I, 6 cr for Summer Session II, 12 credits for either Fall or Spring semester). This placeholder rubric preserves your registration until a transcript can be sent from the host institution. This avoids confusion and worries upon departure, codes the low Range IV tuition to your UIUC student accounting bill, enables the proper transfer of course work, and maintains your registration at UIUC as a full-time student for insurance and financial aid purposes.
Some partner schools ask for your course choices as part of their application process; however, because of the different academic structure of most European systems, there is usually no problem enrolling in the courses you want. Most host universities help you enroll in courses right before the term begins at their school. In actuality, you "officially" register at UIUC. If you need to change your approved courses once you are at the host school, e-mail Dean Bohn using your UIUC secure e-mail account.
Upon your return
You will find that your UIUC semester grade report upon completion of the term abroad automatically registers a grade of "DF" for deferred. Oftentimes transcripts are not sent until the end of the following semester at which time they begin a lengthy journey through the UIUC system before they show on your final transcript. Your courses, credit and grades (if elected) WILL show up and replace the 12 hours of ACES 299 once the multi-step process is complete. It typically takes another whole semester to complete this process so do not be alarmed if it seems to take forever!
How safe is it to study abroad?
The University of Illinois and ACES exchange programs have been established with very established and noteworthy universities located in trustworthy places. Of course living anywhere can pose dangers, whether domestic or international. There are many general safety precautions all prudent travelers should follow such as stay in groups especially at night, always leave travel itinerary information with others etc. Students are routinely advised to register in person with the nearest United States Embassy or Consulate in the off chance that sudden political or natural disasters should occur.
Once I am abroad, how do I register for the next semester when I will be taking courses on the UIUC campus again?
Students register for courses using the UI Integrate Self Service function. This site can be accessed worldwide and no software downloads are required.
What if I decide to take other courses once I am abroad?
Once you arrive to your study abroad university and have talked with the program coordinator, you will probably change some of your course choices. Please keep Dean Bohn posted about any changes you make.
What is the Credit/No Grade Option?
Any undergraduate student registered in the College of Commerce and Business Administration is eligible to elect the Credit Only/No Grade option for elective courses whether participating in a College-sponsored program or Campus-sponsored program (through SAO). This policy enables the oftentimes-competitive business student to immerse him/herself into the total experience of living and learning in a different culture without the need to obsess about a grade point average. Before departure students decide what electives they want to take for Credit Only/No Grade on the Course Approval Form. Students may change their minds as long as it is done before the midpoint of the semester/trimester abroad and registered officially in writing to Dean Bohn. Credit toward graduation will be earned as long as he/she receives a C minus or better upon completion of the course(s). The UIUC official transcript will list the course(s) and the amount of credit received but *** will appear in the place of a grade(s).
Doesn't it look bad to employers to have courses for "credit" rather than a grade?
"Credit" for courses taken abroad generally represents a student's maturity and willingness to venture beyond their "comfort zone" in order to increase their awareness of the world! This is an admirable trait and desirable work skill. There are a few instances when students are advised NOT to elect the Credit Only/No Grade option.
Why are there different Study Abroad Offices on the UIUC campus?
The University of Illinois is committed to encouraging international experiences as an integral part of a student's education. The UIUC campus Study Abroad Office (SAO) is one of the largest in the nation and has a wide array of programs available to all UIUC students. Although ACES itself offers study abroad programs for its majors, ACES students are encouraged to participate in ANY program that best suits their needs!
How can I receive credit for international internships?
Credit for off-campus internships can be earned in most ACES departments under the 293 rubric or at the college level as ACES 293 credit (0-3 for summer internships, up to 5 credits for a semester long internship).
What are some other sources to find money for study abroad?
ACES undergraduate students of good academic standing are eligible for the ACES study abroad travel scholarship. Application should be submitted in accordance with the following deadlines:
April 15 - Funding desired for summer session, fall or academic year abroad
Nov 15 - Funding desired for winter break programs or spring semester
Research private grants/scholarships.
Some possibilities are:
Ask your parents if any scholarships exist for children of employees where they work.
Look in your community. Are you or your family involved in any civic (e.g. Rotary), ethnic or religious organizations that might provide funds? They sometimes have money available which you may be able to use for study abroad.
Will my student loans and/or scholarship help pay for my study abroad?
In most cases, if your student loan or scholarship is paid through the UIUC Financial Aid Office, it can easily be applied toward the cost of studying abroad.
What is "residency" and will it interfere with studying abroad?
The University has a graduation requirement referred to as "residency", i.e., if you are earning a degree from the UIUC campus, then you should physically be present on the campus and have taken UIUC courses. However, attendance at another institution under an ACES or University of Illinois Study Abroad Programs for which students are registered in Urbana-Champaign does not interrupt residence.
This list of questions and answers was adapted from the College of Business FAQ section and used with kind permission from the College of Business Director of Study Abroad.