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A good first place to start might be length of study. At USF Education Abroad, we offer many different kinds of programs, but our three most popular types are:

Semester Study--Fall and spring full semester programs allow students to truly integrate into their host culture and attend institutes, colleges, and universities overseas with other foreign and local students. Your living options and program prices range from program to program as does the field of study available. In most cases, you may take courses from a range of majors as varied as the USF catalog. A semester abroad is an enriching experience allowing you to truly acculturate to your host country. It allows you the opportunity to get to know the people and culture as well as see and experience your discipline from a different perspective--one that can not only compliment your own understanding, but one you can bring back with you and use to supplement your home campus USF education.

Summer Programs--USF summer programs range in length from 2 to 10 weeks during the May to August period. Program dates vary, but each are designed to maximize student exposure to their host cultures while providing an intensive academic study. In most cases, some lectures will be conducted on campus before and after the trip, as well as exams and projects with the faculty director on-site in their host country. In addition to USF faculty led programs, Education Abroad is partnered with many international partner institutes and universities that host our students for focused study. There is also the potential for experiential learning through service, teaching, and internships.

Short-Term Programs--The Education Abroad Office has previously arranged spring break and intersession short programs designed for students with limited travel time but intense interest. These programs are highly intensive in nature and rely on a good deal of course work to be completed on campus prior to departure. This work is then brought to life through on-site research and firsthand experiences. 

Not all schools and programs have terms dates that line up exactly with USF's dates. You are encouraged to research your program on the web or speak to an Education Abroad Advisor for more details on particular programs.

Each program length has its own advantages, and you should consider first and foremost the kind of experience you want to have. Semester study is often considered to be the most enriching as students are often integrated with local students in their host country, take courses at a host university or institution, and have the opportunity to integrate into a society by participating in local customs and truly living abroad; they are also the most cost effective programs when total cost is compared to time spent in country. Summer programs offer students a taste of the culture but are shorter and thus sometimes work more easily with their schedules and responsibilities at home. Please check out our available programs page for all of our program offerings: Available Programs

No matter the end result, it is always best to plan early. Everyone's schedule is different so this is something you really need to think about. It is always a good idea to go to your major's academic adviser and talk about your desire to go abroad so this person can help you make room in your schedule. The earlier you have this conversation, the easier it is to make sure you stay on track for graduation. This includes saving some of your electives for the semester or summer you want to go and researching the schools for ones that offer your major.

Students looking to go abroad for a semester must have at least sophomore standing the first semester they are away. Graduating seniors may not go abroad in their last semester as grades often take two or more months to properly transfer from overseas. Sophomore and junior year are the most popular times for students to study for a full semester.

Students interested in summer programs are welcomed at any stage or level of their education, so long as the student is at least 18 years old at the time of participation (certain exception can be made with parental consent for younger students enrolled at USF).

Graduate students are advised to check with their departments as required courses are often only taught on campus during certain parts of the year. Scheduling and logistics for alternative-calendar programs such as independent research, field work, medical rotations, special projects and internships should be a collaborative effort between the student, their department, and the Education Abroad Office.

The academic requirements you are looking to fulfill can greatly influence the program you select. Our summer programs have a variety of available courses, but they are limited by which faculty are going and the classes the institute overseas is willing to teach. Most summer programs will have a short-list of one to six classes offered (the average being two). Students should check the individual program pages and descriptions to see which classes are offered on these short programs. Students should always speak with the academic department from which they are looking to get credit to be certain they understand how these summer courses will transfer back to USF.

Semester programs offer students the greatest selection of courses as the entire course catalogue of the foreign school is normally open to students studying for a semester or a year. That being said, students may be limited in language of instruction in the case of countries where English is not the primary language; in most cases courses are available in English, but students should investigate their school of choice.

Applicants should check with the individual program website for program-specific deadlines.  Deadlines can be as much as 5-6 months prior to the program date.  Please note that non-USF providers of study abroad programming may have much earlier deadlines.  Generally, summer program applications are accepted on a rolling basis, however, there again students may find that certain programs have specific acceptance deadlines.  Students are urged to apply early!

Please note the following deadlines associated with Education Abroad Administered Scholarships and USF Semester Exchange programs:

Semester Exchange Deadlines:

• FALL Semester Exchange - February 15
• SPRING Semester Exchange - September 15

In order to begin the Education Abroad application process you will need to know your Net ID login and have access to your USF email account. You can verify the operation of both by logging in to http://my.usf.edu

1. Choose the program you wish to apply to from the Available Programs
2. Click 'Apply Now'
3. When asked if you are a student with activated NetID login credentials, answer 'Yes'
4. Login using your USF Net ID and continue the application process as instructed

Non-USF applicants who wish to participate in an Education Abroad outgoing program must first be accepted as a non-degree seeking student at USF.  To apply as a non-degree seeking student, please view the list below and select the appropriate application link:

Broward College Chipola College College of Central Florida Daytona State College Eastern Florida State College Edison State College Florida Agricultural and Mechanical University Florida Atlantic University Florida Gateway College Florida Gulf Coast University Florida International University Florida Keys Community College Florida State College at Jacksonville Floria State University Gulf Coast State College Hillsborough Community College - Brandon Hillsborough Community College - Dale Mabry Hillsborough Community College - Plant City Hillsborough Community College - Sunpoint Hillsborough Community College - Ybor City Indian River State College Lake-Sumter State College Miami Dade College - Hialeah Campus Miami Dade College - Homestead Campus

Miami Dade College - InterAmerican Campus Miami Dade College - Kendall Campus Miami Dade College - Medical Center Miami Dade College - North Campus Miami Dade College - West Campus Miami Dade College - Wolfson Campus North Florida Community College Northwest Florida State College Palm Beach State College - Belle Glade Palm Beach State College - Boca Raton Palm Beach State College - Lake Worth Palm Beach State College - Palm Beach Gardens Pasco-Hernando Community College Pensacola State College Polk State College Santa Fe College Seminole State College of Florida South Florida State College St. Johns River State College St. Petersburg College State College of Florida, Manatee-Sarasota Tallahassee Community College University of Central Florida University of Florida University of North Florida University of West Florida Valencia College

My Home Institution IS on the above list

My Home Institution IS NOT on the above list

Once you have created the initial program application, you will be logged into the Education Abroad application system and presented with the Program Application Page of the program to which you just applied. The Program Application Page shows all of the requirements for the phases of the application (Pre-Decision, Post-Decision, While Abroad, Returnee).

Carefully read and complete each requirement as instructed. Unless otherwise stated, each requirement is mandatory in order to move on to the next phase of the application.

To return to the application at anytime you can login to the Education Abroad application system by clicking on the NET ID Login link on the top of the Education Abroad website.

Pre-Decision Phase

The pre-decision phase is the first step of your application to the Education Abroad program. Your application will not be considered for review until all requirements of the pre-decision phase have been met. Upon completion, the advisor of the program will be notified. Depending on the decision date of the program, you may be notified of acceptance immediately.

Post-Decision Phase

The post-decision phase comes after your acceptance to the program. When you reach the post-decision phase, you will be presented with new requirements and a commitment button. Carefully read the commitment instructions and commit to the program. You will have 5 days or until the application deadline to commit or your application will be withdrawn. Again, carefully read and submit each requirement as instructed. Failure to complete each requirement will prevent you from being permitted to participate; however, you will still be liable for program costs.

While Abroad Phase

Your application will move to the "while abroad" phase on the start date of your program. Please review any new requirements and complete them as instructed. You may also be presented with a link to submit Side Trip details or Incident Reports. In addition, a journal function may become available for you to record and share your experience abroad.

Returnee Phase

The returnee phase takes affect after the end date of your program. Please review any new requirements and complete them as instructed.

Payment of the program confirmation payment (generally $500, which applies to the total Study Abroad Program Cost), is due within 5 business days of your admission to the program or no later than the application deadline, whichever is first.  Please note that tuition for the credits you are taking will be billed separately and will appear on your OASIS account once you have been registered in the appropriate courses.
 

For affiliate and non-affiliate programs, please note that all other program costs will be billed by and due directly to the foreign host institution or program provider and will not appear on your USF student account summary.
 
In addition, we would like to remind you that your financial responsibility toward the program cost increases as the program start date approaches.  Should you withdraw from the program at any time, you will still bear a financial responsibility on your date of withdrawal.
 
Payment in Person
Download the Payment Form so you can make your confirmation payment in person in the Cashier’s Office using cash, check, or money order.  If you need more copies of the payment request form to make subsequent payments, please contact us at this email address, and indicate the total amount you wish to pay at that time.  A pre-populated form will be emailed back to you.  You may also obtain a copy of the payment request form in person at the Education Abroad office (CGS 101) or the Gateway Office located in the Marshall Student Center room 3301.

Payment Online
You can also make your confirmation payment online on OASIS through the student bill pay portal.  Select the option to “Pay by line item,” check the box for the description of your program and indicate $500.00 for your payment amount.
If you wish to make payments on OASIS using credit, debit, or eCheck, please note that a surcharge will apply for credit and debit transactions, and Visa is not accept.  eCheck transactions can be completed for no additional charge.
 
Florida PrePaid
If you are a Florida PrePaid recipient, please email us for additional assistance.
 
If you have any questions regarding your program charges, payment deadlines, or payment options, please feel free email us or call 974-4314.
 

 

Before paying, please be sure you have your USF Student ID Number (U#) (we will provide this to you once your new record is created). Until your USF record is activated, payments may be mailed to our bank, oddly enough, located in Orlando:

 

University of South Florida

P.O. Box 864571

Orlando, FL 32886- 4571

 

Please make sure to write your USF U# on the memo portion of the check. If you have not yet received your U# please notify your program advisor.

 

Once your record is activated, you may make further payments as if you were a USF Student (please see instructions above).

Overseas students are granted the grading options and are subject to all grading policies as on-campus students. Unless a student makes a written request for an optional grading policy (i.e. S/U grading, course audit) and receives instructor approval for same, they will be registered for their courses on a standard letter-grade basis.

Students who are enrolled for direct USF credit will have their grades posted to their USF record by the close of the term, regardless of the final date of their program.

Students who are receiving transfer credit for any of their course work may experience a notable delay in the appearance of and receipt of these courses and credits on their USF record.  Please note that many overseas institutes do not issue the EAO documentation of this course work until after the close of USF deadlines, resulting in this delay.  Students who are studying overseas during their final semester prior to graduation should contact the EAO, the USF faculty director or the host institution to see whether official transcripts could be expedited.  The University cannot give credit without a transcript from the foreign institution.

The government requires you to pay duty on goods purchased abroad and brought into the United States. You should know and understand these requirements before leaving, so there are no problems when you return. You must declare expensive and/or foreign goods you will take with you before leaving the United States so that you are not charged duty on them when you return. If you are taking imported articles such as cameras, binoculars, watches, laptops, etc., register these foreign-made articles with Customs (before leaving the U.S.) to avoid extra duty charges upon re-entry.

Your exemption is $800 (retail value) on articles acquired abroad, if:

• Articles are for personal use or gifts.
• Articles accompany you.
• You have been out of the country at least 48 hours (Mexico and U.S. Virgin Islands are exempt from the 48-hour limitation).
• You have not claimed the exemption within the preceding 30 days.
• Articles are not prohibited or restricted.

Upon your return, group purchases together and keep receipts ready for Customs inspection.  Should you bring back foreign pharmaceuticals, have the prescriptions ready to present.

You must declare, at the price paid, everything acquired abroad, including gifts given to you and articles worn or used.  If you fail to declare or understate the value, penalties may be severe. You cannot bring meat, fruits, vegetables and Cuban cigars into the United States.

Check U.S. Customs and Border Protection for more customs information.

There are a few health issues you need to consider when returning from travel abroad:

• If you become ill within 12 months after traveling, make a medical appointment and inform your physician of the countries you visited while abroad.
• If you have been taking anti-malarial medication, continue doing so for the prescribed length of time after you return home.
• Schedule an appointment with a health care provider for a sexually transmitted disease check if you were sexually active while abroad.
• Remember that your study abroad accident and sickness insurance covers you only while you are abroad, so make sure you have adequate coverage in the United States.

As difficult as it is to adapt to an entirely new culture, it can be just as challenging to come back home after being away for any period of time.  It is best to know what you might encounter in order to prepare for this adjustment period.

Expect to experience some measure of reverse culture shock. Reverse or re-entry shock can be defined as the unexpected confrontation with the familiar (R. Michael Paige). Remember that the world at home hasn't stopped while you were gone. Upon your return home, you may find you aren't the only one who has changed during your absence. Everyone and everything else will have changed too!  Remember to take time to readjust slowly.

You'll notice that you may think differently about the United States. You'll spend time reflecting on the differences between the U.S. and your former host country, just as you did when you left. Friends and family may be interested in stories or photos for a while, but "really don't understand." It may be difficult to express your feelings in words.  Remember that many people may have difficulty relating to what you are saying because it hasn't been part of their experience.

Avoid experiencing anxiety about getting a job when your return home. Your study abroad experience can open employment doors for you, so be creative while abroad, ask for interviews by e-mail and promote the self-reliance and maturity your have gained through your experience.