Getting Started
Where to begin: Visit the Office of International Programs to discuss opportunities with an education abroad advisor. You can find the current walk-in hours or schedule an appointment here.
1. Review the Education Abroad FAQs 2018 to familiarize yourself with some answers to common study abroad planning questions
2. Research programs on the Spartans Abroad Portal search and consider what your goals and expectations for education abroad are.
Our office recommends using the advanced search; we have over 1,000 programs in our system, so start broad with what search parameters you select, then narrow the program selection down, by country, term, and area of study. This video will walk you through using the search more effectively.
Things to think about for study abroad
| Academic Issues | Personal Concerns |
| GPA/conduct eligibility requirements | Disability considerations |
| Foreign language ability & program requirements | Mental health care |
| Timeline for application process | Medications/prescriptions |
| Financial aid | Political environment |
| Scholarships | Identity- LGBTQ & Gender |
| Major/minor requirements | Identity- Race & Nationality |
| UT requirements | Identity- Religion & Spirituality |
| Internships & volunteer opportunities | Dating/relationships abroad |
| Timing of program: Summer, Semester, Academic Year? When in your 4-year-plan? | Personal goals |
3. Talk to your Academic Advisor in your major
Let him/her know that you are planning to study abroad and discuss how this opportunity fits into your 4-year plan.
4. Apply through the Spartans Abroad Portal for UT approval to study, intern, or volunteer abroad.
Our requirements are a minimum 2.5 GPA and good conduct standing; if you have questions or concerns about these requirements, please speak to an Education Abroad Advisor in advance of the UT application deadlines.
Students sometimes want to apply to multiple programs, but in general, if you are applying on time and meeting all program requirements (programs may have a higher GPA requirement or additional language requirements) you will likely be accepted. The only instance we would recommend having a back-up program would be in the case of a GPA concern (some programs require a GPA higher than 2.5, such as 2.75 or 3.0, in some cases).
5. Apply to your program abroad directly through your program provider
This application will be more in depth than your UT application for study abroad. Here are the links to UT's affiliated program providers:
ASA-Academic Studies Abroad
AIFS
API-Academic Programs International
Arcadia
CAPA
CIEE
CISabroad
TEAN-The Education Abroad Network
IES
IFSA-Butler
ISA-International Studies Abroad
SAI
Semester at Sea
SIT
Spanish Studies Abroad
SFS-School for Field Studies
6. Completing your Course Approval Forms and your Transient Form meeting
Your Education Abroad Advisor will explain the Course Approval process during the Study Abroad Prep meeting and then send you a follow up email with the Course Approval form specific to your program as well as the Department Chair list. This process takes time, so you should allow 3-4 weeks to get these completed. Once all of them are complete, you need to email your Education Abroad Advisor to set up a Transient Form meeting.
7. Complete the post-acceptance materials on the Spartans Abroad Portal and put the mandatory Pre-departure session you plan to attend on your calendar
New materials and questionnaires open up on your UT application after you have your Study Abroad Prep meeting, so remember to log back on and complete these. A Pre-departure session sign-up will be among your new materials, so sign up early and mark it on your calendar. It is mandatory you attend one of the offered sessions as they cover important topics such as health & safety abroad, taking care of business before leaving campus, and cultural adjustment. This is also the best opportunity to meet other students going abroad.
8. Consult this checklist to ensure you stay on track
Download & print here: Planning Guide 2018.pdf