STUDY ABROAD OVERVIEW

Take the trip of your dreams.

Enjoy the benefits in the real world.

Experience “pura vida” and conduct research in the rainforest in Costa Rica. Scuba dive in the Great Barrier Reef and try a Tim Tam in Australia. Learn in Japan for a semester or study in Sweden for three weeks.

Explore the hundreds of possibilities to study abroad here at UW-Whitewater. We’ll tailor your journey – whether it’s one week or one semester – to your interests and find an opportunity that helps you achieve your goals and dreams.

Students who return from studying abroad are independent, adaptable, and confident. Employers and professionals recognize the enhanced critical thinking skills, problem-solving abilities, and flexibility of job candidates who’ve studied abroad. They work effectively with people of diverse backgrounds and see things from multiple perspectives.

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Warhawks around the world

UW-Whitewater offers hundreds of study abroad programs in more than 50 different countries. Semester-long, year-long, summer and winterim options are available.

Learn about our Study Abroad programs

Why study abroad at UW-Whitewater?

Develop new perspectives

Improve foreign language skills

Grow personally, professionally and academically

Develop valuable professional skills

Global Experiences Fair

Two people have a pleasant conversation with smiles on their faces.

Held once per semester at UW-Whitewater, the Global Experiences Fair allows students to learn about the many international opportunities available, including:

Study abroad and exchange programs
Faculty-led travel study programs
International student teaching programs
International internship and service learning/volunteer placements

Fair attendees can pick up information materials on all programs and speak with program representatives, faculty directors, and past study abroad participants.

Contact studyabroad@uww.edu or 262-472-5759 with any questions.

Steps to study abroad

Are you ready to apply to a study abroad program at UW-Whitewater? Start your journey to the destination of a lifetime by following the steps below.

Check your eligibility

Applicants must have at least a 2.5 grade point average and be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Some programs may have eligibility requirements above and beyond the basic requirements, such as a language or course prerequisite. If you’re not sure if you’re eligible to study abroad, contact the Center for Global Education to speak with an advisor.

Attend a Global Pathways advising session

This in-person or virtual session covers how to find a program that will complement your academic and professional goals, the application process, and financial aid and scholarships available for study abroad. Sessions are scheduled regularly and last approximately 35 minutes. To schedule an in-person session in McCutchan 201 or a virtual session, contact studyabroad@uww.edu or call 262-472-5759.

Seek advice

Talk to peer mentors, global education coordinators (study abroad advisors), and your academic advisor to determine how your preferred programs will meet your academic and personal goals. Peer advisors and global education coordinators are available to answer your questions — contact studyabroad@uww.edu or 262-472-5759 or stop in McCutchan 204 to schedule an appointment.

Research program options

Determine your goals and priorities for study abroad. Then, browse our program search to find a program. There are many types of programs, so make sure you understand how they differ. Visit the Center for Global Education resource room in McCutchan 204 to browse hard copies of the materials and visit with peer advisors who recently studied abroad at UW-Whitewater.

Apply

Once you’ve chosen a study abroad program, you’re ready to begin the application process. Use your UW-Whitewater Net-ID and password to log in. (Non-UW-Whitewater students should create their own credentials.) In the program search section, select “Apply Now.” This will be located within the program brochure for your program and will include an application checklist. Deadlines vary based on the type of program you select.

Common questions about studying abroad

Is studying abroad expensive?

UW-Whitewater offers hundreds of study abroad programs that range in cost. Some programs have a cost of attendance very comparable to studying at UW-Whitewater.

Students can plan ahead by saving for their experience, applying for financial aid and scholarships, and considering program cost as a factor when selecting a program. All programs listed have been approved by UW-Whitewater, which allows most financial aid to apply to study abroad.

There are also a number of UW-Whitewater scholarships and external scholarships available specifically for study abroad participants.

Is it necessary to be fluent in a second language to study abroad?

No. The majority of study abroad programs are designed for students of all language levels or are taught in English. To find programs taught in a specific language, specify a “Language of Instruction” and/or a “Target Language” when searching for programs.

Will study abroad delay my graduation?

Not necessarily. Many students study abroad and still graduate in four years. Students earn credits toward graduation requirements while abroad, and with proper approval, these credits can satisfy major, minor, or general education requirements.

Would it be better to wait until after graduation to travel abroad?

College is a unique time in your life that allows you to spend up to a whole summer, semester, or year immersing yourself in a new culture. It can be difficult to find time after graduation to study or travel in another country.

Is it difficult to get accepted into a study abroad program?

Most students who meet the minimum qualifications and complete the application process are accepted to study abroad. UW-Whitewater will work closely with you to find the program that best meets your needs and qualifications.

How do I send my UW-Whitewater transcript to my study abroad program or host university?

Students can request UW-Whitewater transcripts online from the UW-Whitewater Registrar’s Office. There is a small fee for ordering official transcripts. Transcripts can be mailed — either to you or directly to your program, and standard postage is included in the fee — or you can request to pick up your transcript at the Registrar’s Office in Roseman Hall, room 2032.

The Registrar’s Office cannot e-mail transcripts. If your program requires you to upload or e-mail your transcript, you should request an official transcript, pick it up or have it mailed to yourself, and then scan it. Alternatively, if your program indicates that an unofficial transcript is acceptable, you can access your unofficial transcript in WINS and either print and scan it, or “print as PDF.”

Is there a low-cost vaccination location near UW-Whitewater?

Rock County Public Health Services:

3328 North U.S. Highway 51
PO Box 1088
Janesville, WI 53545-1088
608-757-5440

Do my grades from my host university appear on my UW-Whitewater transcript?

Yes! When UW-Whitewater receives your host university transcript upon completion of your program, UW-Whitewater will cover the credits and grades you received at your host university to U.S. credits and letter grades (if your host university utilizes a different credit and grading system than those used in the U.S.), and those U.S. credits and letter grades will appear on your UW-Whitewater transcript.

Can I take a course abroad on a pass/fail (satisfactory/no credit) grade basis?

If you are taking a UW-Whitewater course abroad (e.g., a UW-Whitewater faculty-led travel study course), you can select S/NC as a grading option in WINS as with other UW-Whitewater courses.

If you are taking courses at another institution (i.e., on a study abroad/exchange program), UW-Whitewater will convert your study abroad grades to U.S.-style letter grades, and those U.S. grades will appear on your UW-Whitewater transcript. The only way to have a study abroad course come back to UW-Whitewater as S/NC is if your host university offers the option to take a class on a pass/fail basis (note that not all universities offer this option) and you follow your host university’s procedures for signing up for that option.

If you are considering taking a course abroad on an S/NC basis, there are some UW-Whitewater policies regarding S/NC courses that will be important for you to keep in mind.

How and when do I get my study abroad courses to show up on my UW-Whitewater academic record?

Your study abroad coursework will be recorded on your UW-Whitewater transcript only after the Office of Global Experiences receives a transcript from your host institution. Please note that it may take up to three months after the completion of your study abroad program for your transcript to arrive to our office. Many – not all – study abroad programs will arrange to send students’ transcripts to their home university automatically. If your host university or study abroad provider needs you to complete a transcript request form or asks you to confirm where your transcript should be sent, please have it sent to the following address:

Center for Global Education
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
McCutchan Hall 217
800 W. Main St.
Whitewater, WI 53190
USA

Contact Us

Want to learn more about studying abroad at UW-Whitewater?

262-472-5759 | studyabroad@uww.edu