Study Abroad

Benefits of Study Abroad

• 97% of study abroad returnees found employment within 12 months of graduation, compared with 49% of those who did not study abroad.*
• Study abroad returnees have salaries 25% greater than their counterparts who did not study abroad, in similar jobs.*
• Study abroad lets you study a variety of subjects in more depth and from different cultural perspectives, preparing you to succeed academically and professionally in a global environment.
• Students who study abroad develop professional skills that make them especially marketable to employers, including problem solving, flexibility, adaptability and leadership.
• Nationwide, students who have studied abroad consistently count their international experience as one of the best parts of their college careers. They report that they developed a greater sense of independence and confidence in their capabilities, as well as a renewed sense of intellectual energy and focus.

Talk to us today to start planning your adventure.

*Statistics from https://studyabroad.ucmerced.edu/study-abroad-statistics/statistics-study-abroad

The University of Tulsa’s policies and procedures related to study abroad cover information including eligibility requirements for going abroad, getting credit for your courses and submitting appeals. Please click on the links below to read the policies. If you have any questions, please don’t hesitate to contact the Center for Global Engagement.

Academic Policies

Exceptions to the UTulsa Student Travel Policy

Financial Policies

Health Clearance Policy

Faculty-Led Study Abroad Policy for Non-Student/Non-Employee

Non-Credit Bearing Experiences & Independent International Academic Travel

Unaffiliated Programs

Study Abroad FAQ

Program costs and student budgets

The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) is committed to making study abroad affordable for all UTulsa students and has adopted policies and practices that ensure affordability. Students preparing to study abroad will be advised by staff in the CGE about the costs of studying abroad and related travel and living expenses so that students can accurately anticipate their financial needs for the semester abroad.

Templates of program budgets are available on the CGE website for most programs. Students are required to have a final advising meeting with a CGE staff member prior to their departure from campus to create a budget specific to that students situation; failure to come to the meeting may impact a student’s ability to access financial aid for the study abroad program and result in the CGE withdrawing approval of the study abroad application.

Tuition

There are three separate tiers of approved study abroad programs at UTulsa, explained below in further detail. Program fees will vary depending on which tier the program falls under. Students should work with the Student Financial Services offices to determine how much of their aid is applicable to the study abroad program. Some scholarships and tuition waivers cannot be applied to study abroad program fees. Because students are paying for UTulsa credit through their tuition, even if a program cost is less than the net tuition paid to the host institution abroad, there will not be a refund of the difference issued. UTulsa campus meal plans and housing are waived or do not apply to students studying abroad.

• Tier one programs: Students participating in a tier one program will enroll with one of our direct exchange partners. Students will pay their regular UTulsa tuition and fees. No additional tuition will be charged by the host institution. Students will coordinate housing and associated payments with the host institution. Students are responsible to pay for housing or any other additional fees and expenses including international airfare, personal expenses, ground travel, optional excursions, deposits, application fees, entertainment, visa, passport fees and housing or meal plans. All approved students will be enrolled in an insurance plan that covers medical and travel emergencies abroad at no additional expense.
• Tier two programs: These include direct enrollment programs and most USAC & ISA programs. Generally, the cost of tuition for tier two programs is less than $10,000. When students select a tier two program, they pay their regular UTulsa tuition, a program fee which covers the difference between the program cost and the net UTulsa tuition paid by the student. The CGE will pay the program tuition directly to the program provider/host university. Students are responsible to pay for housing and any other additional fees and expenses including international airfare, personal expenses, ground travel, optional excursions, deposits, application fees, entertainment, visa, passport fees and housing or meal plans. All approved students will be enrolled in an insurance plan that covers medical and travel emergencies abroad at no additional expense.
• Tier three programs: These programs generally cost $10,000 or more per semester. When students select a tier three program, they pay their regular UTulsa tuition and an additional program fee based on the program cost. This fee will be determined by the CGE and the Student Financial Services office. The CGE will pay the program tuition directly to the program provider/ host university. Students are responsible to pay for housing and any other additional fees and expenses including international airfare, personal expenses, ground travel, optional excursions, deposits, application fees, entertainment, visa, passport fees, and housing or meal plans. All approved students will be enrolled in an insurance plan that covers medical and travel emergencies abroad at no additional expense.

Program cancellation

If students cancel participation in a program, they are responsible for deposits and expenses already incurred by UTulsa. If for any reason a program is canceled, CGE will help students to find a suitable program alternative. If students decide not to participate, they will be responsible for deposits and all expenses already incurred by UTulsa.

Financial aid and scholarships

Students studying abroad must work with the Student Financial Services office to determine if any of their funding can be applied to their study abroad program, and students must submit an approved CGE budget form to Student Financial Services in order to have financial awards released to cover study abroad expenses. Students must disclose any additional awards they have received for support of study abroad to the Student Financial Services office, such as travel scholarships provided by the program provider or outside scholarships; failure to disclose these awards may result in the cancellation of a student’s program and disciplinary action per student Code of Conduct. Graduate assistantships have work requirements and so students may not hold an assistantship while they are participating in study abroad. Contact the dean of the graduate school to obtain approval to participate in study abroad while on a fellowship.

Study abroad fee

All students applying to study abroad for a semester, year, or summer term are responsible for a one-time $200 study abroad fee that is charged in addition to application fees required by the study abroad program provider. This fee should be paid directly to the CGE at the time the student submits his or her application to study abroad. This fee is non-refundable unless the student’s application is denied by the CGE. Students whose application was denied by the program provider will be refunded their fee minus a $50 processing fee only when the CGE has not successfully identified an alternative study abroad program. The study abroad fee is an administrative fee to cover services provided by the CGE and pre and post program events, a commencement stole designating the student as a study abroad alum and other benefits.

Summer sessions

Students studying abroad for a summer term will pay UTulsa the program fee based on the program cost. The CGE will directly pay program fees on behalf of the student, which includes foreign tuition, room, board, insurance, and excursions directly related to the academic program.  Students are responsible for expenses that are not part of the advertised program fee, including international airfare, personal expenses, ground travel, optional excursions, deposits, application fees, entertainment, visa and passport fees, and upgrades in housing or meal plans.
Independent semester break, field camp or internship experiences:

Students participating in any short, credit-bearing, UTulsa approved program will pay UTulsa tuition on the basis of the number of actual credits associated with the program, as per the tuition policies outlined in this document. Students are responsible for all related costs, including but not limited to foreign application fees, airfare, optional tours, damage deposits, student activity or facilities fees, excursions, entertainment, books, ground transportation, meals, and personal expenses.

Exchange networks

Exchanges, including the Global Engineering Educational Exchange Consortium (Global E3) and Mid-American Universities International (MAUI), are special relationships between UTulsa and specific foreign universities and are intended to promote university wide international cooperation and collaboration. Participating students are responsible for paying the tuition to their home institution and the room/board, and related fees to the hosting institution. Students participating in an exchange program will pay their regular UTulsa tuition and will be responsible for paying all related costs, including but not limited to foreign application fees, airfare, visas, housing, and meals at the foreign location, optional tours, damage deposits, student activity or facilities fees, excursions, entertainment, books, ground transportation and personal expenses, unless otherwise specified by the negotiated billing agreement between UTulsa and the partner university.  The CGE will maintain records to monitor the balance of exchange students with individual exchange institutions.

Scholarships and tuition awards

Some scholarships and tuition awards cannot be applied toward a study abroad program. Check with the CGE and the Student Financial Services office (and if applicable, the graduate school) to determine whether or not your funding will apply.