Carefully review the details on the program web flyers, including eligibility, program dates, housing, course equivalencies, and more.
If you haven’t attended a First-Steps Info Session, review how to sign up for a session. We help you understand how to research programs, review course equivalency lists and fee sheets, and research scholarships.
WHERE DO I SEARCH FOR PROGRAMS?
Search Education Abroad programs here.
Did you know? Numerous IU departments, Schools, and the College offer programs, too.
HOW DO I KNOW IF A PROGRAM IS A GOOD FIT FOR ME?
All students should discuss their interest in education abroad with their academic advisor(s) and an education abroad advisor. Programs can be a “good fit” based on a number of factors, and IU always prioritizes incorporating your experience abroad into your degree progress.
Research all aspects of a program, including dates, courseload, cost and scholarships, housing, and eligibility.
ARE PROGRAMS COMPETITIVE?
Some programs are selective and may not be able to accommodate all applicants. Talk with an education abroad advisor about the suitability of your program choice.
HOW DO I KNOW WHAT CLASSES ARE OFFERED ABROAD?
Visit IU Education Abroad’s central list of course equivalencies, which outline what prior students have taken abroad and which direct IU-Bloomington credit they earned. These lists aren’t a guarantee of the courses available when you go abroad, but they are illustrative of the types of credit that may be available. Majors in the Kelley School of Business can contact ksabroad@iu.edu to access course approval lists for upper-level BUS credit.
WHAT IF A COURSE I NEED ISN'T OFFERED ABROAD?
Students need to remain flexible about their coursework abroad. IU cannot guarantee that specific courses will be available abroad. Talk with your academic advisor(s) about how flexible you can be with your degree progress abroad. That will help you identify a program abroad that best aligns with your academic needs.
WHO DO I TALK TO ABOUT MY EDUCATION ABROAD PLANS?
Planning for an education abroad experience involves at least three parties: student, academic advisor(s), and education abroad advisor(s). Students also should discuss their plans with their parent or guardian.
ARE THERE SCHOLARSHIPS AVAILABLE?
IU students have access to numerous scholarship opportunities. Search IU Education Abroad’s Scholarship page (open each accordion!) and also note specific scholarship opportunities located on each of our program webflyers (open the “Cost and Financial Aid” accordion).
WHAT DOES THE APPLICATION LOOK LIKE?
All programs have electronic forms (e-forms) that students complete, and they are displayed in a checklist. The number or content of each program’s e-forms may differ based on program requirements. Read each e-form's instructions carefully!
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO COMPLETE THE APPLICATION?
It varies depending on the program. Some programs have additional application steps in another portal (e.g. IES Abroad or CIEE programs). You need to complete those steps before the IU application deadline. Give yourself time to complete all application materials. We recommend starting at least one week prior to the application deadline. Some steps in the application may require contributions from third parties, including your parent/guardian and recommenders. They will need time, so plan ahead. Recommendations must be completed by the program deadline.
CAN I APPLY TO MORE THAN ONE PROGRAM?
No. You cannot open more than one application. If you apply to the wrong program or change your mind, email overseas@iu.edu for help with cancelling the application. This may take 1-2 business days. You cannot start a new application on your own, and you cannot apply to a program after the IU deadline has passed. Please do not cancel any individual e-forms you completed, since we may be able to move some of these to your new application.
DO I NEED MY OFFICIAL IU TRANSCRIPT?
This varies by program. Consult your e-form checklist for whether an official or unofficial transcript is required. If an official transcript is required, you can order it through One.IU by searching “eTranscript Request (Recent Students)".
DO I NEED A LETTER OF RECOMMENDATION? DOES IT HAVE TO BE FROM AN IU PROFESSOR?
You’ll need 1-2 recommendations, depending on the program. Recommenders must be instructors who have graded you in a course at IU. To assure that a recommendation is submitted in a timely manner, ask your instructor first if they’ll be your recommender. DON’T wait until the last minute to ask them.
Pro Tip: your recommender isn’t writing a “To Whom It May Concern” PDF letter. You will enter their name/email address in the e-form, and they will receive an auto prompt from our office with a link to complete a short evaluation about your personal and academic preparedness and motivation to study abroad.
If your program’s deadline is approaching and your recommender hasn’t submitted their form, follow up with them OR select a new recommender.
If a recommender no longer works at IU, you can input a non-IU email address into the recommendation request e-form. The recommender will receive an email prompt to fill out the form as a guest (if they do not receive the email, they may need to check their spam folder). If they have trouble accessing the form via the link, please email overseas@iu.edu to ask for an alternate method of submitting the application.
DO I NEED TO HAVE MY CLASSES ABROAD SELECTED FOR ANY PART OF MY APPLICATION?
Not a final selection, no, but you will be asked to indicate your proposed courses abroad as part of your application. See the section below for more guidance about the Education Abroad Course Plan.
CAN I TAKE A LANGUAGE PLACEMENT TEST TO SHOW PROGRAM ELIGIBILITY? WHERE CAN I FIND MY LANGUAGE TEST SCORE IF I DID THE LANGUAGE TEST DURING NEW STUDENT ORIENTATION?
You can find the “Foreign Language Placement Exam” on ONE.IU. If you have already taken the language placement test, you can look up your test score in your Student Center under Academics -> Test Scores.
DO I APPLY BY IU'S DEADLINE OR THE DEADLINE LISTED ON A STUDY ABROAD PARTNER'S WEBSITE (E.G. IES OR CIEE)?
You must apply by IU’s deadline, which is earlier than our study abroad partners’. Late applications will not be considered. As part of IU’s application steps, you may be asked to start the partner’s application.
IS THERE ROLLING ADMISSIONS?
No. We review all applicants’ completed applications after the IU deadline.
HOW DO I KNOW WHEN MY APPLICATION IS COMPLETE?
The last e-form every student should see is “Submit Application.” If you don’t see that in your list, you need to scroll down the e-form checklist. Depending on your device (e.g. Mac or smart phone), you might not see the scroll bar, but trust us, it’s there (just hover over where the scroll bar normally would be).
I SUBMITTED MY E-FORMS, BUT THEY STILL SHOW "PENDING" AND THE DEADLINE IS APPROACHING. WHAT DO I DO?
If your e-forms are in "pending review” status by the IU deadline, your application will be reviewed. If your e-forms are in “awaiting answer” status because of a third party (e.g. your parent or recommender), you need to follow up with them to get their materials submitted by the IU deadline.
WHAT IF THERE'S A PROBLEM WITH MY APPLICATION?
Our staff will email you at your IU email address. Be sure to check your email regularly (including your Spam/Junk folder) while your application is pending, so you don’t miss any crucial emails. No exceptions will be made for students who miss a deadline because they did not check their IU email.
WHAT IF I HAVE AN APPLICATION QUESTION AFTER HOURS OR OVER THE WEEKEND?
Please do not call the emergency phone number for application questions. Staff work weekdays; do not expect email responses after 5pm or on weekends. Plan accordingly. Staff return voicemails or respond to emails as promptly as possible the next business day. Leaving multiple messages only slows down the process.
HOW LONG DOES IT TAKE TO HEAR BACK ABOUT MY APPLICATION?
After the IU deadline, expect an emailed decision within 3-4 weeks. (Some programs may take longer.)
AM I REQURIED TO SUBMIT AN EDUCATION ABROAD COURSE PLAN EVEN IF I DON'T KNOW WHICH CLASSES I WANT TO TAKE ABROAD?
Yes. All semester/academic year students (except Kelley majors on Kelley-approved programs) need to outline their course plan as part of their application. It’s okay if you’re not sure right now which exact classes you may want to take abroad.
I'M CONFUSED ABOUT HOW TO COMPLETE THE COURSE PLAN. DO YOU HAVE A SAMPLE?
Yes, we will share a link here as soon as a sample is ready.
DO I NEED TO MEET WITH MY ACADEMIC ADVISOR BEFORE I CAN SUBMIT MY EDUCATION ABROAD COURSE PLAN?
No, but we highly recommend it. Your academic advisor can help you think about your degree requirements and will know the details specific to your major. If you want to meet with them, be sure to schedule an appointment early, since they’re also very busy.
WHERE DO I FIND MY PROGRAM'S COURSE EQUIVALENCY LIST?
Visit IU Education Abroad’s central list of course equivalencies. Kelley School of Business majors should contact ksabroad@iu.edu for their lists.
WHEN DO I ACTUALLY REGISTER FOR CLASSES?
That varies by program, and you’ll receive more information after program acceptance.
WHAT IF I CHANGE MY MIND LATER ABOUT THE COURSES I WANT TO TAKE ABROAD?
That’s fine, as long as you’re still making reasonable progress toward graduation. You do not need to go back and update or submit a new course plan.
I COULDN'T SAVE A COPY OF MY SUBMITTED COURSE PLAN. HOW CAN I GET IT?
Your education abroad advisor will send you yours after IU acceptance decisions are made.
