Frequently Asked Questions

We have over 200 programs in 87 locations! You can study abroad in Central America and the Caribbean, South America, Europe, Africa, the Middle East, Asia, and Oceania. Please visit our Program Search to view all of the program offerings.

Programs vary in length. Semester programs last as long as a typical UIC semester but may start or end later. Summer programs range from 3-8 weeks with most lasting 4-6 weeks. Some faculty-directed programs can be as short as one week.

There are three types of programs: Faculty-Directed, Partner, and Exchange programs. Please visit our Program Types page for more information on all three types.

Many programs include opportunities to complete an internship, conduct research, or participate in service-learning.

Absolutely! Whether it’s a program in an English-speaking country or a non-English speaking country, the vast majority of our programs provide coursework in English. In fact, there are only a few language-intensive programs that do not offer courses in English. Additionally, if you study abroad in a non-English speaking country, the on-site staff is there to help you with all aspects of your experience.

Most programs are open to all students, no matter what year they are in. Very few programs require a specific class standing or course prerequisites. UIC requires that all students must complete one semester on-campus before they are able to participate in a program, unless the program is designed specifically for students in their first semester. Because all coursework you take abroad is UIC credit you can study abroad at any time throughout your UIC career and it will not delay your graduation. Please note that if you study abroad during your last semester at UIC, the transcript processing can take several months and may impact your graduation time.

If you are interested in studying abroad, we highly recommend you discuss these plans with your academic advisors. They are the experts in your degree plan and can help you determine when is the best time for you to go abroad. It’s never too early to start planning to study abroad!

You can find passport applications and detailed information on how to apply on the webpage of the U.S. Department of State. Be aware that COVID-19 has impacted processing times greatly, so make sure you get started with getting a passport as soon as possible! The U.S. Department of State will have the most up-to-date information about processing times and application processes.

Yes! As long as you are legally allowed to travel to your program’s destination, you can study abroad. Due to the complexity of visa restrictions and requirements, we recommend that you plan early for your term abroad.

Please note that international students who are registered with the UIC Office of International Services are not eligible to study abroad in their country of passport.

Yes! Because all of the courses you take abroad count towards your degree as UIC credit (not transfer credit!), you can study abroad any term during your time at UIC. It’s best to inform your academic advisors as early as possible that you want to include studying abroad in your degree plan to make sure that you have more flexibility in the types of programs and lengths of programs that would work best for you. You can also Meet with an Advisor early on to find out program options that fit your academic goals!

There are many factors that go into determining the true cost of a study abroad program, and while there are certainly programs that may cost more than what you typically would pay at UIC, there are many programs that cost similar, or in some cases, less than what you would pay for your regular term of study.

Keep in mind that all the program costs associated with a study abroad program include much more than tuition – they typically include tuition, housing, international health insurance, and some include transportation or some meals.

Remember you also can apply your financial aid to your term abroad and apply for dozens of scholarships specifically for study abroad students!

For more information, visit our Affordability page.

Yes! In general, students studying abroad during a fall or spring semester will have access to their full financial aid package. Although federal aid is more limited during the summer, you still may have access to some aid. You are highly encouraged to speak with Hua Kao, Assistant Director in the Office of Student Financial Aid & Scholarships to learn how your particular aid package may be applied towards your study abroad program.

Yes! UIC students have received more than $1 million in study abroad scholarships. There are many scholarship opportunities available, both from UIC and from external sources. Our advisors will help connect you to scholarships you may be eligible to apply for and can even help you on your application. In addition, many of our program partners offer discounts exclusively for UIC students.

There are 3 main steps to the study abroad application process: 

1. Attend a First Step Info Session.

The First Step Info Session is a brief presentation that reviews how to select a program that aligns with your academic, personal, and professional goals, the application and course approval processes, financial aid policies, and scholarship opportunities.

2. Select a Program and decide on when you want to study abroad.

Once you attend a First Step presentation, you can Meet with an Advisor to learn about program options or help narrow down ones that you’re interested in. Our study abroad advisors and your academic advisors can help you determine when is the best term for you to study abroad.

3. Meet with your study abroad advisor and submit your Study Abroad Office Application. 

Once you’ve selected a program and a specific term, you can schedule a Program Advising Appointment with your study abroad advisor. During this appointment, you will submit your Study Abroad Office Application and your advisor will give you your next steps regarding the course approval process, scholarship applications, financial aid information, and additional details regarding your selected program.

Visit our Get Started page for more information on how to apply.

UIC’s basic eligibility requirements to apply to a program are as follows:

• Will have completed one semester at UIC by the time of your study abroad program*
• Be in good standing both academically and according to the UIC Code of Conduct

Please make sure that you are eligible to apply to the Study Abroad Office as well as your selected program. All programs will have different requirements that you have to meet (class standing, GPA, course prerequisites, etc). To find these requirements, please use our Program Search to find your selected program’s page.

*some programs may be open to first-year and/or transfer students

Our advisors are generally split between geographic regions, with some exceptions. Please visit our Meet with an Advisor page for detailed descriptions about which advisors work with which programs.

Some of our faculty-directed programs may be open to non-UIC students or students who are graduating. Please contact the SAO advisor for the program you are interested in to confirm if you are eligible to apply.

Non-UIC students will first need to apply to UIC as a non-degree seeking student before they can apply to the study abroad program. This process is managed by another office on campus and typically is available at the end of February for summer programs. Please contact the SAO advisor of the program you are interested in to let them know you are interested so they can notify you once the non-degree application is available.

IMPORTANT:

• Non-degree seeking students are not eligible to receive financial aid or scholarships from UIC
• Non-UIC students must work with their home university/college to determine if they can receive academic credit

For students who are graduating, you will need to speak with your academic advisor and let them know that you would like to participate in a study abroad program. They will adjust your graduation in UIC’s system to be after the study abroad program. Some colleges/schools may still allow you to participate in the graduation ceremony but you must confirm this with your advisor.

All coursework that you take abroad counts towards your degree as UIC credit. You can receive credit for major, minor, general education, or elective requirements. After you choose a program, the Study Abroad Office helps you work with your advisors to get all your courses pre-approved prior to departure, so there are no surprises when your study abroad transcript is entered into your record and your graduation will not be delayed.

All coursework that you take abroad counts towards your degree as UIC credit. You can receive credit for major, minor, general education, or elective requirements. After you choose a program, the Study Abroad Office helps you work with your advisors to get all your courses pre-approved prior to departure. You can also participate in internships and undergraduate research for credit in additional to traditional classes in many study abroad programs during the summer or semester. If you have any questions about what courses you should take while abroad, get in touch with your academic advisors! They are the experts in your degree plan and can help you determine what credit you can get while abroad.

Whether you want to study within your major or try something new, study foreign language or take courses in English, participate in an internship or conduct research, take courses at a local university or study with a UIC faculty program director, there are endless options when it comes to the classes available to you. The majority of our over 200 programs always have their classes posted online, so you can start planning your class schedule anytime! If you find a program that doesn’t have their classes posted already, Meet with an Advisor to get more information about the course options.

Yes! There are many programs around the world that have coursework in STEM available if you want to study within your major, or you can complete GenEd and elective requirements abroad. Please visit our Study Abroad by Discipline page for more information about your major.

Summer 2020, Fall 2020, and Spring 2021 programs have been cancelled due to COVID-19. Decisions to cancel programs are made through regular consultation with trusted resources and experts such as the U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control (CDC).

While we are hoping that study abroad programs will resume in the near future, our primary concern is the safety of our students, so we are monitoring the situation closely and will continue to update you with any information we have.

While safety cannot be guaranteed anywhere, we take the health and safety of our participants very seriously.  We partner with organizations whom we have vetted and who have demonstrated best practices for hosting students abroad. We follow guidance set by the U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control to make sure that the locations we have programs in are safe for UIC students. Our partners have a network of student support services on-site and are available 24-7 once your program starts.

The Study Abroad Office is also available 24-7 in the event of an emergency and we will provide you with our emergency phone number prior to your departure. In addition, we require and provide comprehensive international health insurance for your entire program duration. Please visit our Safety Abroad page for more information.

All students who study abroad are required to be covered by an international health insurance policy. Most of the programs that we offer have the cost of international health insurance built in. For the programs that do not automatically cover students, the University of Illinois system has negotiated a policy for all its campuses with Arthur J. Gallagher & Co. (AJG). The AJG policy is designed for students, faculty, and staff who are going abroad for study, research, or other official UIC business. This policy is required unless proof can be provided that the student has coverage under a policy with equal or better benefits. See our International Medical Insurance page for more information.

The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) break down immunizations into two categories: “required” and “recommended”. See www.cdc.gov/travel for the most current list of “required” and “recommended” vaccines for your country of study. Some vaccines require a series, which can take up to 6 months to complete, so find out now if you will need any.

In addition to the CDC, UI Health has a dedicated Health Clinic to assist you during the pre-departure process. You have the opportunity to meet with a healthcare professional and to obtain location-specific information regarding any vaccinations. They can also evaluate your relevant health history and related issues to prepare you for foreign travel.

Although studying abroad with a disability (whether physical or otherwise) may pose certain challenges, UIC has a large program portfolio with programs that can accommodate students with a variety of needs. The Study Abroad Office believes that with enough advanced planning, students with a disability can identify a program on which they can be successful, and we are here to support you throughout the entire process.

Visit our Navigating your Identities Abroad page for more information and resources!

If you have regular medication that you take you will want to make sure that you discuss this with your physician to ensure that you have enough supply to last you throughout your entire time abroad. It is recommended that you ask for the medical name for your prescriptions as well as a note from your physician stating that you are medically prescribed the medication in case you need to obtain more medication while abroad. Some medications that are commonly prescribed in the U.S. may be illegal abroad, so make sure to research whether or not you can legally bring your medication into the host country. If you need assistance, contact the Study Abroad Office as soon as possible.