Why should I consider studying abroad?

Studying abroad is a great way to earn credits towards your degree, gain skills in your area of academic or professional interest, explore a new culture, and grow both personally and intellectually.

There are many benefits linked to study abroad. To learn more, click here.

Will the credits count towards my degree?

We strongly recommend that you meet with your academic advisor to determine exactly where your study abroad credits will fit into your course of study. In some cases, you can meet degree requirements with study abroad courses. In other cases, the credits will be counted as general electives. Either way, the experience can be a valuable part of your education.

Do I have to be a UW Tacoma student to participate in a UWT study abroad program?

No. Some programs may be restricted, but most of our programs are open to students from any UW campus.

Students from other universities will need to enroll at UW Tacoma as non-matriculated (non-degree seeking) students in order to be eligible to apply to and receive credit for a UW Tacoma study abroad program. The application fee when applying as a non-matriculated student is waived for study abroad programs. Please contact the Office of Global Affairs for further details. Non-matriculated students who have not yet earned a high school diploma or equivalent cannot study abroad on our programs.

I am a UWT student. Can I participate in a UW Seattle study abroad program?

Yes. Study abroad programs offered through any UW campus are open to students from all three UW campuses. If you don't find a program that interests you here at UW Tacoma, you are encouraged to look into the wide variety of programs offered through UW Seattle and Bothell.

There are a lot of study abroad programs. How do they differ?

There are many different kinds of of study abroad programs. The most common are listed below:

  • Faculty-led programs are programs taught by UW faculty, and you study abroad with other UW students. These programs last from about 10 days to a quarter, and you’ll likely be abroad with 12-15 other UW students.
  • University exchanges: Exchanges are an opportunity to take classes in one of over 70 UW partner universities around the world; a student from that university comes to UW in your place. For a complete list of available universities, go to the UW Seattle Study Abroad website.
  • UW partner programs are approved study abroad options administered by study abroad program providers. For more information, please go to the UW Seattle Study Abroad website.
  • Direct Enrollment programs are study abroad options where you enroll in another university or foreign language school. Unlike exchanges, you are not trading a place with a student from that university. 
  • International Internships are also an option for students who would like to integrate academic credit with on-the-job experience and gain professional and cultural skills abroad. To learn more, take a look at the Internships page on the UW Seattle study abroad website. 

For more information about these and additional types of study abroad programs, visit the “Study abroad program types” page on the UW Seattle Study Abroad website.

How do I return to my study abroad application?

To return to your application, click on the "apply now" button of the desired study abroad program. This will take you to your portal of in-progress applications. In the portal, select the study abroad application you were working on previously. If you have any questions, please email us at uwtintl@uw.edu. 

Can I apply my financial aid to study abroad programs?

Yes. Your financial aid package may not cover all of the expenses related to study abroad, but in most cases it can be applied towards those expenses. We very strongly advise students to visit the Office of Student Financial Aid website to learn more and to speak with a financial aid advisor about your specific financial aid options. You can also explore the Financial Aid website from UW Seattle study abroad. 

What about scholarships?

If you have a scholarship which can be applied to your tuition expenses, then in most cases you can those scholarship funds towards your study abroad expenses; check with a financial aid advisor or the organization that provided the scholarship to be sure. In addition, the Office of Global Affairs Scholarships and UW Seattle Study Abroad Scholarships websites list many UW and national study abroad scholarship opportunities you can apply for. To learn more, we suggest you attend one of our “How to Fund Your Study Abroad” info sessions, listed on our Events page, or watch the webinar located at the bottom of the page here.

How do I get a recommendation?

You will be required to have someone submit a recommendation form as a part of your online study abroad application. Please note that the recommendation you submit may not be completed by the faculty or staff leading the study abroad program for which you are applying. Click here to learn more about this process.

Can I use my VA education benefits for study abroad?

If you study abroad on a faculty-led program that fulfills major requirements, your VA education benefits might cover a portion of your study abroad costs. Please be aware that VA benefits cannot pay for third-party study abroad programs. It is extremely important that you contact the Veteran and Military Resource Center as early as possible to discuss your study abroad plans. VMRC staff can explain how much support is available and for what types of study abroad programs. 

Do I need a passport?

Yes! Passports are required for all international travel. If you are even considering study abroad, we encourage you to apply for a passport now. It can take several weeks or even months to get your passport. If you already have a passport, check the expiration date to make sure it will still be valid for the entire time you will be traveling. Most countries require your passport be valid for six months beyond the end of your study abroad program.

What about a visa?

Some programs will require you to get a visa in addition to a passport, while others will not. This depends on where you are going, for how long you will be there, and what kind of passport you carry. The Office of Global Affairs can offer some general guidance, but students are responsible for applying for and obtaining a visa if it is required. 

Should I visit my doctor before I studying abroad?

We encourage anyone participating in a study abroad program to visit their doctor prior to departing. Depending on your health and where you will be studying, there could be several things to discuss with your physician: Should you consider any immunizations? Do you need an extra supply of prescription medications? How should you prepare for possible changes to your diet or daily routine?

What about insurance?

Study abroad insurance coverage is required. All students enrolled in a UW study abroad program will also be enrolled in UW Study Abroad Insurance. This is a very comprehensive insurance plan with a wide variety of benefits. 

How do I register for a study abroad course?

UW Study Abroad will register you in a study abroad placeholder course for the term you will be abroad. This is only one after you have been accepted to the study abroad program and completed all required pre-departure steps. Please note that you do not enroll yourself in the placeholder course! Learn more about enrollment and pre-departure requirements at this UW Seattle Study Abroad website. If you have any questions about enrollment, please contact our office (uwtintl@uw.edu).  

What is a study abroad program fee?

Payment for study abroad programs is handled differently than regular tuition. For most programs, your UW account will be charged a study abroad program fee, the study abroad administration fee, and an insurance fee. You will pay these fees the same way you pay tuition and they are due on the date that tuition is due for the quarter in which you’ll be studying abroad.

Can I register for other courses in the same quarter that I'm traveling abroad?

Yes, but we strongly advise against it. That's for a few reasons. First of all, you should consider how much you can actually handle in one quarter. Your study abroad program is full time enrollment and you are required to participate fully in the program and in all activities; you won't be excused from study abroad requirements if there are assignments for other courses. Second, be aware that if you are registered for study abroad credits and regular tuition credits in the same quarter, those will be billed separately, which means your tuition bill is likely to be substantially larger. Finally, consider time zone differences, reliable online access, and the general scheduling required to manage coursework abroad and at home. These are important considerations, so please feel free to contact us (uwtintl@uw.edu) to talk things over. 

Will my cellphone work? What about my laptop and Internet access?

Good questions. For the best answers, you'll need to do a little research. Call your phone company first to find out if they offer coverage abroad. Your next best resource will be the faculty leading your program. They'll be able to answer general questions about strategies for cell phone use, internet access, and the need for an adapter for your electronic devices. Another option is to get online and search for information specific to your country. 

Can I study abroad as a running start student?

Unfortunately, running start students cannot participate in study abroad.

I have a spouse or dependent that wants to go with me while I study abroad. Will that work?

This is really up to the program directors that lead your study abroad program. However, spouses and dependents cannot live in program housing and they are not permitted to participate in ANY study abroad programming. That means they may not participate in classes, field trips, group meals, or anything else that is included in the program.