Study Abroad FAQ
Any student in good academic standing with no student conduct alerts may do a Study Abroad.
Upper-level students may also do internships abroad. Meeting with a Study Abroad advisor in the
International Center can help you see where and when you might participate in this program.
Students may travel to virtually any part of the globe for an approved academic study. In consultation with a Study Abroad advisor, you can see what options are available.
Most students do Study Abroad programs after their first year or year and a half at the university. Some programs are only available to upper-level students due to language requirements. Most international internships require that the student have completed at least two full academic years in college. As to time of year or length of study, that is up to you since there are short-term programs over winter break or in the summer, semester programs, and year-long programs.
Do I need to know another language?
No. While many students go abroad to perfect their language skills in another language, there are many programs in countries where English is the primary language, such as those offered by CCSA to Australia, England, India, Ireland, Scotland, South Africa. CCSA also has English-speaking programs in Belize and Hong Kong. KIIS focuses on countries where English is not the primary language, but you can do courses in English in several of these programs.
If you take a U of L-sponsored program or a CCSA short-term program, you will register for your courses at U of L. If you take a KIIS program, you will register for your courses at Murray State University and have those transferred back to U of L. As true for all registrations done at other institutions, you will have to submit a
Course Certification form to the International Center. All of these courses will go towards your total credit hours for graduation and will be factored into your GPA.
If you participate in a program where you register at another institution or an institution abroad (such as ISA or other external Study Abroad hosts), you will have to submit a Course Certification form to the International Center. You will prepare this form with your U of L academic advisors. The Study Abroad staff will then arrange to have you registered in the special Study Abroad course code for the time you are away. Once you have returned and your transcript comes to the International Center, we will submit that to the Registrar’s office. These courses will count towards your total credit hours for graduation, but will be accepted on a Pass/Fail basis. They will not be factored into your GPA.
Will this add time to my studies?
Many students worry that the study abroad will add time to the completion of their academic degree. In most cases, these programs and their timing can be worked out such that it matches with a student’s progress. This is why short-term summer or winter break courses have become so attractive. Otherwise, many students take courses abroad that they would have taken at U of L and so complete that requirement while abroad.
Many students find that living and studying abroad is less expensive than staying
in the U.S. Depending on the program you chose and the duration of the program, you’ll find that there are many affordable programs from which to choose.
How does financial aid work? Can I get scholarships?
Students currently receiving financial aid or scholarships may be able to apply those funds to their study abroad. You will meet with your Study Abroad advisor to draft out your potential costs and discuss possible financing options.
After acceptance to your program, you will meet with a financial aid advisor for more specific advice. Scholarships are available in different locations on campus and externally. Your Study Abroad advisor will help you identify potential aid.
What about countries with travel warnings
The International Center does not authorize travel and academic credit for programs in countries that are listed on Travel Warning List of the United States State Department. For a list of those countries, see the U.S. Department of State website.
For clarification on how this will impact your study abroad travel, please email the Interntaional Center Study Abroad office or call 502-852-6602.