Ways to Go Abroad

Independent education abroad programs are those in which students are not enrolled at Ohio State, but rather participate through another university—either the university offering the program or the accredited institution facilitating it. Before you choose to study abroad independently, consider all Ohio State approved study abroad programs.

Participation on an independent education abroad experience is very different from studying abroad with Ohio State. You will not be registered at Ohio State during the term(s) in which you are abroad, but will instead take a “leave of absence.” This means you will not pay Ohio State tuition, will have limited or no access to Ohio State financial aid and may receive transfer (K) credit on your Ohio State transcript. Students studying independently will complete the OIA travel registration but will not have access to the university's supplemental international insurance. 

Determine if an independent education abroad experience is the best academic and financial fit for you. The use of transfer (K) credit toward major/minor requirements varies widely. Consult your academic advisor to determine if/how this type of credit will apply toward your degree requirements before making a financial commitment to the program. Be sure to consider potential program costs and funding sources.

Before applying, consider the following features:

• Does the program offer a comprehensive website? You should be able to access a thorough program overview, host city/country information, staff contacts, current information on travel dates and costs, application submission instructions, course descriptions and alumni feedback.
• Does the program offer pre-departure services? These may include responsive and accessible staff, advising services, visa assistance (if applicable) and comprehensive orientation materials.
• Does the program offer in-country services? These may include on-site staff to provide airport pick-up (or assistance) and housing placement, as well as 24/7 emergency and day-to-day support.
• Does the program adhere to best practices in the field of education abroad? Look for programs affiliated with NAFSA Association of International Educators and/or the Forum on Education Abroad. 
• Is the program offered through at third party provider or will you be working directly with a foreign institution to enroll as a student? Students often utilize a third party provider that facilitates the process for you, but if you are not, you will be responsible for understanding the admissions and enrollment requirements at the institution.
• Does the program provide you with an official academic transcript issued by the degree-granting institution’s registrar (or similar designee)? The Ohio State Transfer Credit Center will not evaluate transcripts or completion certificates issued by a third party provider or an academic department at the host institution. Students must submit official transcripts issued by the degree-granting institution’s registrar (or similar designee). Upon their return to Ohio State. Failure to provide the appropriate documentation may result in no transfer credit being awarded for your independent education abroad experience.

Before applying you must:

• Consult with the Ohio State Transfer Credit Center to determine if the institution is recognized by that country’s Ministry of Education or other recognition body and determine credit type (general or special) and credit conversion to U.S. semester hours. Pay close attention to the instructions provided by the Transfer Credit Center to ensure transfer credit is awarded for your program abroad.
• Work with your academic advisor to determine if the courses you wish to take will are applicable to your degree plan at Ohio State.

When applying, you will likely need: 

• Official Ohio State transcript (you may order your transcript online via the Office of the Registrar)
• Disciplinary Clearance Form (the Office of Student Conduct must complete this form)
• Education Abroad Advisor Form (contact Jenny Kraft to complete this form)
• Course Selection Form (If an advisor's signature is required, please see your academic advisor)

While you await your admission decision:

• Apply for your passport
• Research visa requirements (if applicable)
• Research the applicability of federal financial aid toward your program via the consortium agreement process

After acceptance, understand your responsibilities:

• All Ohio State students pursuing independent education abroad that are related to their Ohio State academic or co-curricular objectives (regardless of if the program is Ohio State approved or non-Ohio State approved) are required to adhere to the policies and guidelines set forth by the University’s International Travel Policy Committee.
• Be sure to check the status of your prospective host country with the list of Ohio State Risk Designated Countries. If your host country is currently listed as a Risk Designate Country, you must submit a petition to the International Travel Policy Committee.
• Students traveling to international locations for academic or co-curricular purposes are required to enroll in the university's supplemental travel insurance. Visit supplemental travel insurance for detailed steps on how to register for the supplemental insurance online.
• Once you have been accepted to your program, be sure to complete the online individual travel registration (contact Jenny Kraft for access) and the independent pre-departure checklist.

Service-learning and volunteering is a dynamic way for Ohio State students to go abroad and engage local communities and develop leadership skills. Service-learning is a form of experiential education characterized by student participation in an organized service activity that is connected to specific learning outcomes; meets identified community needs; and provides structured time for student reflection and connection of the service experience to learning. Volunteering can also meet identified community needs, but may involve programming that is not tied to specific academic credit.

Ohio State approved service-learning or volunteer opportunities

The Office of International Affairs offers a number of Ohio State approved study abroad programs with a substantial service-learning component. Whether you select an Ohio State faculty-led or approved third party provider programs, most will allow you to gain academic credit and retain access to Ohio State grants and scholarships as well as federal financial aid. All students will be automatically enrolled in Ohio State's required supplemental travel insurance for international travel.

Ohio State managed service-learning or volunteer opportunities

Buck-I-SERV is a non-credit program planned through the Office of Student Life and supported in part by the Student Activity Fee, which provides students with an opportunity to lead and learn through direct service experiences. Buck-I-SERV also collaborates with the Adventure Recreation Center, Sorority and Fraternity Life and other units in Student Life to create additional service opportunities.

While Buck-I-SERV programs are not eligible for financial aid, participant costs are partially subsidized by the Student Activity Fee. In addition, all students participating in these programs will be automatically enrolled in Ohio State's required supplemental travel insurance for international travel.

For more information on service-learning, including a list of S-designated courses and local opportunities, please see the Office of Service-Learning.

External service-learning or volunteer opportunities

There is no shortage of programs that offer service or volunteer activities for university students to travel abroad. Each semester several organizations not affiliated with Ohio State come to our campuses to recruit students for their programs. Simply because a program has promoted itself on an Ohio State campus does not mean that the program has been vetted, endorsed or sponsored by Ohio State.

Should you be interested in pursuing an option that is not offered by Ohio State, we encourage you to use the resources of the International Volunteer Programs Association to determine if the program is the right fit for you. Review this guide to the types of questions to ask any organization seeking to recruit you and identifying a reliable program.

IVPA also has a membership directory of organizations that meet the principles and practices outlined in the links above. Organizations and programs listed in the IVPA directory are not considered Ohio State sponsored, managed or endorsed.

For non-credit service or volunteer programs there are generally no forms of Ohio State or federal financial aid generally that apply. The Office of International Affairs encourages you not to make immediate payment if an organization on campus asks for money to reserve a placement or secure a spot.  

If the program is offering university credit for the experience, it is not guaranteed that the credit will transfer to Ohio State. If you are seeking transfer (K) credit, you will need to arrange to have the credit evaluated by Departmental Transfer Credit Coordinator for the department in which you are seeking credit.

When applying, you may be required to submit:

• Official Ohio State transcript (you may order your transcript online via the Office of the Registrar)
• Disciplinary Clearance Form (the Office of Student Conduct must complete this form)
• Education Abroad Advisor Form (contact Jenny Kraft in OIA to complete this form)
• Course Selection Form (If an advisor's signature is required, please see your academic advisor)

After acceptance, prepare for your responsibilities:

• All Ohio State students pursuing service-learning or volunteer experiences abroad that are related to their Ohio State academic or co-curricular objectives (regardless of its affiliation with the university) are required to adhere to the policies and guidelines set forth by the University’s International Travel Policy Committee.
• Be sure to check the status of your prospective host country with the list of Ohio State Risk Designated Countries. If your host country is currently listed as a Risk Designate Country, you must submit a petition to the International Travel Policy Committee.
• Students traveling to international locations for academic or co-curricular purposes are required to enroll in the university's supplemental travel insurance. Visit supplemental travel insurance for detailed steps on how to register for the supplemental insurance online.
• Be sure to review and complete the pre-departure checklist.

Research is integral to the overall mission of Ohio State. To enhance the university’s research, outreach, and engagement activities, and fuel Ohio State’s commitment to economic development and the well-being of our community, top priorities include increasing participation in large-scale funding initiatives, improving the competitiveness of our researchers in their efforts to secure funding, and fostering economic development through enhanced industry-sponsored research and commercialization. The Office of International Affairs fosters global opportunities for the university and supports those doing research abroad.

Funding for research and/or conference travel

The Office of International Affairs has a number of grants and scholarships for undergraduate students, however the majority of them are for participation in Ohio State approved study abroad programs. For undergraduate students, the Undergraduate Research Office (URO) maintains a comprehensive directory of funding opportunities for Ohio State students. The Undergraduate Fellowship Office (UFO) provides information on applying to major scholarships and other award opportunities that may provide funding for international research. In addition to the UFO and URO, various colleges and departments provide funding opportunities to support student research. Faculty and staff may also be aware of specific awards to support research endeavors. 

The Office of International Affairs supports graduate research abroad through a variety of scholarships and grants. The Office of Research maintains a directory of Ohio State sponsored and external funding opportunities for graduate students and various colleges and departments provide funding opportunities to support student research as well. Faculty and staff may also be aware of specific awards to support research endeavors.

Before departure, prepare for your responsibilities:

• Ohio State undergraduate and graduate students pursuing research or conference presentations abroad that are related to their Ohio State academic or co-curricular objectives are required to adhere to the policies and guidelines set forth by the University’s International Travel Policy Committee.
• Be sure to check the status of your prospective host country with the list of Ohio State Risk Designated Countries. If your host country is currently listed as a Risk Designate Country, you must submit a petition to the International Travel Policy Committee.
• Students traveling to international locations for academic or co-curricular purposes are required to enroll in the university's supplemental travel insurance. Visit supplemental travel insurance for detailed steps on how to register for the supplemental insurance online.
• Once you have been approved for travel, be sure to review the pre-departure checklist.

The Ohio Union has over 1,000 registered student organizations. Each year, multiple organizations coordinate volunteer and service projects abroad. This travel is non-credit bearing and the development of the travel opportunity is managed directly by the student organization, not by an administrative office of the university. While this travel is largely independent, student organizations are still required to follow certain university policies as set forth in the Student Organization President Training section on Travel Abroad.  

Sponsoring student organization travel abroad

Before any student organization can undertake any recruitment for travel abroad or other activities, they must be a registered organization with the Ohio Union. This process is completed through the Office of Student Life.

If your organization has an active registration status (new/reestablished or established) with the Ohio Union, it may sponsor a travel abroad activity. The organization’s leadership should submit a group travel registration 90 days in advance of your travel. Details can be found on the travel registration page.

If your organization is seeking a program provider for your experience or is looking to vet a service experience, the Office of International Affairs encourages you to use the resources of the International Volunteer Programs Association (IVPA) to determine if the experience is the right fit for you. Review this guide to the types of questions to ask any organization seeking to recruit you and identifying a reliable program. IVPA also has a membership directory of organizations that meet the principles and practices outlined in the links above.   

Consider the following features:

• Does the program offer a comprehensive website? You should be able to access a thorough program overview, host city/country information, staff contacts, current information on travel dates and costs, application submission instructions, relevant course descriptions and alumni feedback.
• Does the program offer pre-departure services? These may include responsive and accessible staff, advising services, visa assistance (if applicable) and comprehensive orientation materials.
• Does the program offer in-country services? These may include on-site staff to provide airport pick-up (or assistance) and housing placement, as well as 24/7 emergency and day-to-day support.

After acceptance, prepare for your responsibilities:

• All Ohio State students pursuing registered student organization travel abroad are required to adhere to the policies and guidelines set forth by the university’s International Travel Policy Committee.
• Be sure to check the status of your prospective host country with the list of Ohio State Risk Designated Countries. If your host country is currently listed as a Risk Designate Country, you must submit a petition to the International Travel Policy Committee.
• Students traveling to international locations for academic or co-curricular purposes are required to enroll in the university's supplemental travel insurance. Visit supplemental travel insurance for detailed steps on how to register for the supplemental insurance online.
• Once you have been accepted to your program, be sure to review the pre-departure checklist.

The Office of International Affairs and other departments at Ohio State sponsor a number of credit bearing international internship programs. Work experiences abroad are not facilitated by the Office of International Affairs, and it is your responsibility to conduct any and all research on potential employers. 

Ohio State-approved internship opportunities

Ohio State offers several opportunities for Ohio State students to gain internship experience abroad. These include:

• The Office of International Affairs offers multiple education abroad programs that include an internship option. These programs allow you to gain academic credit while completing your internship experience.
• The Office of Global Business offers students in the Fisher College of Business the option to pursue an internship in multiple countries.  
• The Office of International Affairs also offers a variety of approved programs through third-party providers that give students internship and field-experience.

All of these opportunities are officially approved by Ohio State and provide students with a dynamic array of opportunities to pursue an internship abroad. Students going abroad on Ohio State approved programming, Office of International Affairs third-party programs or Office of Global Business programs can earn Ohio State graded credit and retain access to Ohio State grants and scholarships as well as federal financial aid. In addition, all students participating in these programs will be automatically enrolled in Ohio State’s required supplemental insurance for international travel. 

If you have selected an internship through the Office of International Affairs you can directly apply for your program. You can view applications for internships sponsored by the Office of Global Business. Applicable credit approval, financial aid disbursement, insurance registration and other details will be available through the application and admissions process.   

External internship opportunities

If you are searching for an internship abroad or have already identified a potential host for a non-Ohio State sponsored option, we encourage you to use these questions adapted from the Work, Internship and Volunteering Abroad (WIVA) Subcommittee of NAFSA: Association of International Educators.

Consider the following features:

• How many students per year do they send on their internship program?
• Have they ever worked with Ohio State students?  Do they have Ohio State or other internship alumni you can speak with? 
• How are interns placed? Are there pre-set placements to which students apply or is the internship “customized” for the student?
• What is the application process? Application fee? Program fee?
• Is there a program fee?  What costs are students responsible for?
• Is academic credit offered? If so, how many credits?  If so, is the transcript from an accredited U.S. university (see information below on transferring credit)?
• Are there any prerequisites that the students need to complete an internship?
• Is the experience paid or unpaid?
• Is the internship experience full-time or part-time?
• Does the program provider handle work permits/visas (it many countries it can be illegal to work, intern or volunteer, even without pay, without the proper visa and immigration paperwork)?  
• Average length of internships/timeframe?
• Do you need to speak a language besides English?
• Is housing provided? Are meals provided?  
• In-country support? Do you have access to a 24/7 emergency contact in the country of your internship?

Most forms of Ohio State financial aid are not applicable to non-Ohio State approved options. For credit-bearing experiences, students may be able to access some forms of federal financial aid if the program can sign a consortia agreement. For non-credit service programs there are generally no forms of Ohio State or federal financial aid that apply. We encourage you not to make immediate payment if an organization recruiting interns on campus asks for money to reserve a placement or secure a spot.  

If your internship offers academic credit, it is not guaranteed that the credit will transfer to Ohio State.

Before applying you must:

• Consult with the Ohio State Transfer Credit Center to determine if the institution is recognized by that country’s Ministry of Education or other recognition body and determine credit type (general or special) and credit conversion to U.S. semester hours. Pay close attention to the instructions provided by the Transfer Credit Center to ensure transfer credit is awarded for your program abroad.
• Work with your academic advisor to determine if the courses you wish to take will are applicable to your degree plan at Ohio State.

When applying, you will likely need:

• Official Ohio State transcript (you may order your transcript online via the Office of the Registrar)
• Disciplinary Clearance Form (the Office of Student Conduct must complete this form)
• Education Abroad Advisor Form (contact Jenny Kraft in OIA to complete this form)
• Course Selection Form (If an advisor's signature is required, please see your academic advisor)

While you await your admission decision:

• Apply for your passport immediately and a visa, if required.
• If seeking credit, meet with your academic advisor to discuss transfer (K) credit and whether it may be used toward your degree requirements, as well as assistance with program course selection and help manually opening your Ohio State registration for the term following your studies abroad.
• If seeking credit, complete the transfer credit pre-approval process using the Departmental Credit Evaluation Form.

Working abroad

If you are looking for a career abroad, we encourage you to access the Buckeye Careers Network. The various college career offices will have advice on pursuing an international career (e.g. Using Going Global and USA/Canada City Career Guides in FutureLink) and workshops on developing your international resume and career.

After acceptance, prepare for your responsibilities:

• All Ohio State students pursuing internship experiences abroad that are related to their Ohio State academic or co-curricular objectives (regardless of its affiliation with the university) are required to adhere to the policies and guidelines set forth by the University’s International Travel Policy Committee.
• Be sure to check the status of your prospective host country with the list of Ohio State Risk Designated Countries. If your host country is currently listed as a Risk Designate Country, you must submit a petition to the International Travel Policy Committee.
• Students traveling to international locations for academic or co-curricular purposes are required to enroll in the university's supplemental travel insurance. Visit supplemental travel insurance for detailed steps on how to register for the supplemental insurance online.
• Once you have been accepted to your program, be sure to review the pre-departure checklist.

What is global online learning?

Global online experiences play an important role in providing students with the opportunity to become more aware. While this can include virtual exchange or COIL (collaborative online international learning), online global learning generally encompasses the many ways that technology can bring people together across borders to learn from one another and gain important intercultural competencies. The key components of high-quality online global learning experiences include intentionality, diversity of voices and mutually beneficial experiences. These virtual experiences can achieve many of the same learning outcomes observed with traditional education abroad programs.

How is global online learning different than other virtual/online courses?

Intentional engagement, interaction with students and instructors and learning with others at a host institution abroad sets the global learning and cultural exchanges modality apart from many distance learning courses. These virtual opportunities provide another path for students to gain intercultural competencies and are featured and, in part, coordinated by the Office of International Affairs.

What are the benefits?

With proper facilitation, both education abroad and virtual exchanges can provide sustained opportunities for students to learn from one another and become culturally engaged. It is well-documented that education abroad fosters increased self-confidence, a high tolerance for ambiguity and intercultural development. Research shows that future employers look favorably upon such experiences. While virtual exchange is a newer way of global engagement, it provides project-based opportunities for peer-to-peer interactions across cultural boundaries, building new intercultural skills and knowledge. Global online learning opens opportunities in and to locations where travel may not be possible due to health or safety concerns.

What opportunities exist?

Similar to education abroad programs, global online experiences can vary in structure and length of time. In some cases, students collaborate through a course experience and/or project with students from a partner institution or organization. In other cases, a faculty member leads a course with virtual international lecturers and online community engagements. Students can also participate in online global courses through approved third-party providers or gain valuable skills by participating in a virtual internship.