Getting Started with Education Abroad
Become a World Traveler
UAA Education Abroad is an opportunity for UAA students to study abroad or participate in an internship or service learning experience in another country while still receiving academic credit towards their UAA degree! Students can choose programs from all over the world, use their financial aid to pay for program fees, and go abroad for the summer, a semester or an academic year.
Students interested in studying abroad need to be willing to embrace the unknown, try new things, and be flexible with change. Those who participate are forever changed. Students return with more self-confidence, intellectual and social competencies, an appreciation of the world or our country, and new skills and knowledge for professional success.
While abroad, students will still be considered a UAA student and may choose to continue working on major requirements within their degree, fulfill classes for a minor, work on language skills, or dive into a new area of study. All course work will return to the student's UAA transcript and will be calculated within their GPA.
How Do I Choose a Study Abroad Program?
As you research your options, you will be amazed at how affordable, accessible, and varied the study abroad programs are. To choose which program is best for you, you may ask yourself the following questions:
- How does this program fit into my academic/professional/personal goals?
- How can this experience enhance my résumé?
- Are financial and money matters my first concern?
- How far from home do I really want to go?
- What kind of city do I want to live in?
- Am I comfortable being a country that doesn't speak English as a first language?
Preparing for Education Abroad
- UAA Minimum Eligibility Requirements
All students applying to Education Abroad programs through UAA must fulfill minimum eligibility requirements. A student must:
- Be a degree-seeking student at UAA (working towards a Certificate, Associates, Bachelor's, Master's, or PhD, for example; you do not need to have a declared major)
- Complete the equivalent of 2 full-time semesters (24 credits total) at UAA before the first semester abroad
- Have a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.50 when application is due
- Good academic, disciplinary, and financial standing at UAA
Note: Specific programs may have other requirements, such as a higher GPA or specific language proficiency requirements. The requirements listed above are the minimum requirements for being accepted by UAA for an Education Abroad program. Once accepted by UAA, you must also apply and be accepted by the host institution or organization. Meeting the minimum requirements does not guarantee acceptance into an Education Abroad program.
In addition, if you no longer meet the minimum requirements the semester before your program starts, you will no longer be eligible or be able to participate in the Education Abroad program.
Faculty-Led Programs may have different requirements than those listed above.
- Academic Planning Tool
While location and cost are important factors to consider when choosing an Education Abroad program through UAA, academics are also important. Click on the button below to see the Academic Planning Tool for students considering going abroad while at UAA.
- Financial Aid for Education Abroad
Students going abroad through a study abroad program hosted by a third-party provider (for example: International Studies Abroad (ISA), Semester at Sea, etc) or an international exchange program (where UAA has a direct partnership) can usually use financial aid to help pay for program costs. Students should refer to the UAA Office of Financial Aid for detailed information regarding how to receive financial aid.
Additionally, for programs hosted by a third-party provider, students should refer to the program’s website for more detailed information on how to use financial aid to pay for program costs.
Click below for more about financial aid for students considering Education Abroad.
- Student Conduct While Abroad
UAA students who participate in an Education Abroad program are still considered UAA students while abroad and are still responsible for maintaining UAA's Student Code of Conduct. Click below for more information.
Questions?
We encourage you to set up an appointment with our office to get one-on-one advising. We can help you determine which options are the best for you and help you explore those options more in-depth.
Mara James, Education Abroad Coordinator
Phone: 907-786-1720
Email: uaa_oiia@alaska.edu