Program Types
Program Types Heading link
There are a variety of program models available. Not every model is the right academic or personal fit for every student. Your Study Abroad advisor can help you determine what might be the best choice for you based on curriculum offerings, student support services, location and scholarship/grant funding opportunities.
UIC Faculty-Directed Programs Heading link
These are short-term programs directed by a UIC faculty member. Only UIC students participate in these programs and the program offering may change year-to-year, as we are continuously making new collaborations with faculty members at UIC. Visit our Faculty-Directed Program list for this year’s programs!
These programs are ideal for students who have never been abroad before and/or who would like to go abroad in a small group with UIC students and faculty.
Some past summer programs have been:
- Italian Language, Culture, and the Arts in Siena, Italy
- Social Services Internship in Paris, France
- Social Justice, Identity, and Language in Oaxaca, Mexico
- Disaster Preparedness and Global Health in Basseterre, St. Kitts and Nevis
Some Faculty-Directed programs are embedded in a semester course at UIC with an international component that typically takes place over Spring Break.
Some past embedded programs have been:
- Nature’s Fix in San Jose, Costa Rica
- Qualitative Human Movement Analysis in Cambridge, United Kingdom
Students participating in a summer faculty-directed program do not pay UIC tuition. Instead, they pay a program fee that includes instructional costs as well as other programmatic expenses. Students participating in a Spring Break program pay tuition plus a program fee that covers the programmatic expenses.
Please make sure to discuss with the UIC Financial Aid Office to understand which forms of financial aid may or may not apply.
Partnership Programs Heading link
We have partnered with several study abroad organizations and universities throughout the world that offer a wide range of courses. There are 3 types of Partnership Programs: Direct Enroll, Program Centers, and Hybrid.
Direct Enroll programs are as they sound: students directly enroll in classes at a partner university. These immersive programs allow students to join the international and local student population in their classes. Direct Enroll programs offer a wide array of courses to choose from and are great options for more independent students.
Program Center programs are summer, semester, or academic year programs that are offered by US study abroad providers that have program centers worldwide. These centers are fully staffed with local and international faculty as well as academic and student support services staff. They offer a wide variety of courses taught in both English and the host country language.
Hybrid programs are identical to the program center model with the addition of having the option to take courses at local universities.
Partnership programs also offer you the opportunity to participate in internships, service-learning, and undergraduate research.
Students participating in a partnership program do not pay UIC tuition. Instead, they pay a program fee directly to the program partner. Please make sure to discuss with the UIC Financial Aid Office to understand which forms of financial aid may or may not apply.
Exchange Programs Heading link
These programs are semester or academic year-length programs where UIC students are directly enrolled in classes at a partner university. This is the only program model where UIC students pay UIC tuition and fees. UIC tuition waivers and veteran’s benefits may be able to be used with this program model. Exchange programs typically offer a wide array of courses to choose from and are great options for more independent students. These immersive programs allow students to join the international and local student population in their classes.
Visit our program search to see the current Exchange Programs we have!