Study abroad changes lives, and the work of Study Abroad at the University of Texas is guided by our commitment to promoting access to study abroad opportunities for our diverse population of students.

Our mission is to provide outreach, service, and support to students considering or committed to studying abroad. We accomplish this by partnering with faculty and staff to facilitate participation through integration into the curriculum, and by continuously seeking ways to improve our own practices to better serve students and the University.  Our vision is that all UT students who are interested in and eligible to study abroad will have the opportunity to do so.

Initiatives in Support of our Mission

The mission and vision of the office determine our priorities and how we invest our efforts. Strategies to fulfill our mission are centered on our commitment to remove or reduce the financial and academic barriers to study abroad participation and to remove the disparities in study abroad participation among underrepresented groups.

Remove/reduce the financial barriers to study abroad participation

THE COCA-COLA FOUNDATION CHINA SCHOLARSHIP

The Coca-Cola Foundation China Scholarship provides $2,000 to first-generation UT students with financial need. In support of President Obama’s “100,000 Strong Initiative” to send 100,000 American students to study in mainland China over the next four years, this funding is automatically awarded to First Abroad and Hutchison International Scholars who choose to study abroad in China. Also in support of the “100,000 Strong Initiative,” Study Abroad is developing and funding a faculty-led Maymester trip to China reserved for first-generation students with financial need.

HUTCHISON INTERNATIONAL SCHOLARS PROGRAM

The Hutchison International Scholars program provides academically outstanding, first-generation college freshman with a $4,000 stipend to help offset the cost of study abroad during their undergraduate career. Scholars are selected upon admission to the University and are notified the spring before their first semester, allowing ample time to plan a carefully crafted study abroad experience.

FIRST ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP

This scholarship provides first-generation students who have earned less than 60 hours at UT Austin with $3,000 for a study abroad program. Recipients have up to two academic years to select a program and participate, ensuring sufficient time to plan their study abroad experience.

25th ANNIVERSARY SCHOLARSHIP

In recognition of the 25th anniversary of the Study Abroad, 25 scholarships will be awarded each year to undergraduates with financial need. Funding is reserved for programs in Africa, the Middle East, Central America, the Caribbean, and Asia (excluding China and Japan) to promote study abroad in under-represented regions and to diversify the study abroad destinations of our students.

Remove/reduce the academic barriers to study abroad participation

MY CREDIT ABROAD (MyCA)

My Credit Abroad is a new searchable course database with pre-approved courses to facilitate degree planning. This ever-growing system currently matches over 7,000 foreign courses to UT equivalents helping students to ensure they can obtain core, major, or elective credits abroad and remain on track without delaying graduation.

STUDY ABROAD CURRICULUM INTEGRATION

Curriculum Integration is a collaborative process between Study Abroad and UT departments and centers to identify programs abroad that best serve student needs and complement the academic goals of each unit. Producing and publishing departmental curriculum integration brochures educates students on how/when/where to plan for study abroad as part of their degree plan.

Reduce the disparities in study abroad participation

CREATING ACCESS TO GLOBAL EDUCATION CONFERENCE (November 9, 2011)

In partnership with the International Office and International Student and Scholar Services, Study Abroad is hosting a workshop to facilitate the collaboration of multiple stakeholders in international education. Speakers will present on cutting-edge study abroad research, diversity in participation abroad, and access to international education for underrepresented groups such as first-generation students and international students from marginalized global communities.

StAMP PEER ADVISORS

Peer advisors are UT Austin students trained to help their peers explore the range of available study abroad opportunities for programs that best fit their academic, professional, and personal goals. Representing diverse backgrounds, experiences, and academic majors found within the UT student body, peer advisors serve as role models that draw upon their own study abroad experiences for peer-to peer mentoring. Peer advisors are available during walk-in hours at Study Abroad or via chat, email, and Facebook throughout the academic year.