Study Away is a transformative experience that students often refer to as the best part of their undergraduate years. This life-changing opportunity boosts resilience, confidence, creativity, and critical thinking skills that are a tremendous asset to future employers while also providing a wealth of personal growth to participants. UW-Superior is able to offer both short-term and semester/year long programs all over the world (and throughout the United States!), and the Study Away Programs office works with each student individually to ensure that academic and personal needs are met.
Getting Started
The first step in studying away is to plan ahead! It takes around a year, or two academic semesters, to plan for your Study Away experience.
The Study Away Programs office will be your key contact for many aspects of the experience, and your Academic or Faculty Advisor will help you choose courses in order to keep you on track for graduation.
The steps to Study Away are:
- Learn about our programs! You can view all of our available opportunities here. You can also attend an information session, Study Away fair, or classroom presentation to learn basic information about Study Away.
- Schedule an appointment with the Study Away Coordinator. You will discuss your initial interests and get introduced to all of UW-Superior’s Study Away program options. You will also discuss finances, coursework, goals, application process, and explore the best program fit for you. Study Away advising continues as you apply, study, and return from your experience.
- Set up a meeting with your Academic or Faculty Advisor to discuss your 4-year academic plan. Your Advisor will help you define your major, determine academic, career, and personal goals, and assess whether Study Away is the right fit for you. They will also help identify which classes you need!
- Apply for your program and complete associated paperwork. Be sure to check each program’s requirements closely as each application process is different.
- Attend pre-departure orientation and complete pre-departure forms.
- After you return, take part in re-entry opportunities to help share your experience with other students. Ask the Study Away Coordinator for more information!
*The study abroad advising process looks different for every student depending on their program choice and personal preference. The Study Away Coordinator is willing to meet with students as much as needed to prepare and support them for an international experience.
Financing
Students who’ve studied away often describe it as the best part of their undergraduate years. If you are yearning for a Study Away experience but wonder how in the world you’re going to pay for it, take heart! First, consider Study Away as an investment in your future. Like any other type of investment, it requires planning, careful management, creativity, perseverance, and commitment. How can you pay for it? Start by planning far in advance (a year is suggested). By planning and selecting certain programs, you may find that the cost of study abroad is far less than you imagined.
Your Study Away budget will be evaluated by the Financial Aid Office. In nearly all cases, your current financial aid will transfer. Some students find they are eligible for additional funding. Your aid package may consist of grants, loans, and scholarships. If you are planning to attend a non-UW-Superior overseas study program, remember that your financial aid will only be applied if another UW institution or partnering provider sponsors this program.
Wisconsin residents with financial aid may also be eligible for the Wisconsin study abroad grant of up to $1,000 to help fund their experience. Since this is a limited pool of money available to our campus, it’s important to apply early!
Consider applying for scholarships! The links below are by no means all-inclusive but include information about major federal scholarship programs, country-specific scholarships, and a number of scholarship websites and databases.
- UWS Foundation
- Gilman (must receive the Pell Grant and be studying internationally)
- Gilman-McCain (for child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application; must receive Title IV funding and be studying internationally)
- Freeman Asia (specifically for study in Asia)
- Boren Awards (specifically for critical language study)
- Fund for Education Abroad
- State Department
- Fastweb
- Diversity Abroad
Most students utilize a combination of financial aid (loans/grants), scholarships, and personal funds to pay for their study away, so it’s important to connect with our office early to give yourself time to plan!
Fees
Our study away programs operate on a cost recovery basis, and as such, there are mandatory fees that are assessed to every participating student in order to cover costs associated with application management software, program memberships, student support services, and general operating costs. Each program may incur separate fees in addition to those listed below.
Application Fees
$50 for all international programs
$150 for National Student Exchange (paid directly to NSE)
Study Away Fees
$200 for faculty-led programs and National Student Exchange
$300 for all other programs
Health and Safety Information
Documents
Necessary application and pre-departure study away forms.
- ISIC Card (International Student Identity Card)
- Passports
- Study Away form This fillable form is required for all programs except Scotland.
Health and Safety
- Traveler’s Checklist
- Travel Warnings from U.S. Department of State – UWS allows students to travel to Level 1 and Level 2 countries.
- CDC Travel Health Notices – UWS allows students to travel to Level 1 and Level 2 countries.
- STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program) – The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate. Enrollment is MANDATORY for all students studying abroad.
- U.S. Students Abroad
- Your Health Abroad
- CISI (Cultural Insurance Services International) – MANDATORY health insurance for students studying abroad.
- Women Travelers
- LGBTQ+ Travelers
- Travelers with Differing Abilities
- CDC (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) – Traveler’s Health resources.
- WHO (World Health Organization)
- UWS Student Health and Counseling Services
- UWS Pruitt Center for Mindfulness and Well-being – can be accessed prior to studying away.
National Student Exchange
The National Student Exchange allows college students to study for a semester or a year at over 170 universities in the United States, U.S. Territories, and Canada while paying tuition to their home school.
The National Student Exchange (NSE) is a domestic study abroad program. Instead of crossing oceans, NSE students cross state, regional, provincial, and cultural borders to take courses not available on their home campuses, expand their academic program options, reside in different geographies, be exposed to diverse cultural settings, seek out graduate and professional school opportunities, and explore career options. The changes seen in student attitudes, understanding of differing perspectives, maturity, risk-taking, resiliency, and decision-making are similar to the experiences of students who study internationally.
What does it cost?
NSE is an unbelievable bargain! Students pay tuition and fees at UW-Superior just as if they were here, but all housing, meals, and other costs will be paid at the host university. Most scholarships and financial aid will apply as usual. There is a non-refundable application fee of $150 that must be paid before a placement is made.
Am I eligible?
To be considered for NSE, all applicants must:
- Be a degree-seeking undergraduate (matriculating) student at an NSE member campus.
- Have completed of one term of full-time attendance at an NSE member campus prior to application for exchange.
- Have completed one academic year at an NSE member campus prior to exchange.
- Have full-time enrollment at NSE home campus.
- Have a minimum home campus cumulative GPA of 2.5 (some campuses require a higher GPA).
- Be in good academic standing as defined by your home campus.
- Have no incomplete grades from previous terms.
- Have no outstanding financial obligations to your home campus.
- Have no current or pending probationary status or disciplinary action due to academic dishonesty or student, civil, or criminal misconduct.
- F-1 visa students are also welcome to apply!
Where can I go?
Study away in any U.S. state (outside of Wisconsin), Canada, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or Guam! The National Student Exchange operates a very helpful website, which includes a full list of member campuses.
How do I apply?
Applications are completed online at the National Student Exchange website. Click any “apply now!” button to begin your NSE adventure!
Need more information?
Contact studyaway@uwsuper.edu to discuss this or any other study away program!
Destinations
UW-Superior offers a variety of short term, semester and academic year programs all over the world (and throughout the United States). Students who are not able to find an ideal program through UWS can also browse programs from other institutions within the Universities of Wisconsin.
Via Program Discovery – Learn about and apply for international programs here!
National Student Exchange (NSE) – Learn about and apply for domestic study away here!