CNS Abroad FAQs

Start by identifying your “why”. Do you want to complete coursework, an internship, research, or clinical/shadowing experience? Then check out our How to Go Abroad Guide. After that you can meet with a CNS Abroad advisor, who can walk you through program types, timing, and how a program fits your degree plan. Look at your degree audit or four-year plan if you have one. You can also start browsing options for your major on the Abroad by Major webpage. 

The main differences are credit, cost, and competitiveness. With exchange programs, you receive UT credit at the same cost as UT tuition, but they tend to be the most competitive option (this varies by university). Affiliate programs are typically less competitive but cost more, and courses transfer back to UT as transfer credit rather than direct UT credit. 

Yes! You can go abroad as a freshman in your Spring semester, during a May–term, or the summer after your first year. Some programs are designed specifically for first-year students. 

Yes, though you may have fewer options for major credit the later you are in your degree. Review your degree plan and look into both credit-bearing and non-credit programs.It's also important to meet with you academic advisor to go over your plan. If you don't need credit, you can also explore post-graduation options for going abroad. See our Going Abroad as a Senior Guide at the bottom of the How to Go Abroad page. 

It depends on your major's course sequencing, but many students go during their sophomore or junior year, after finishing foundational/prerequisite coursework and before heavy upper-division sequences requirements. An academic advisor and/or CNS Abroad advisor can map this against your specific four-year plan. 

It depends on what courses you still need to take. Start with your degree plan, identify remaining requirements, and see what makes the most sense. You may want to use a semester abroad for non-major courses (VAPA, language/culture, or social science requirements). If you plan to take a major course on an exchange or affiliate program, check the approved-course database (My Credit Abroad) to confirm it will transfer as your specific major course before you register. If you're not sure whether a specific class abroad is possible, talk to your academic advisor first, then follow up with a CNS Abroad advisor. 

First, check out the CNS Abroad website for recommended programs. Next, follow up by searching all Texas Global programs filtered by location. Cross-check the course offerings at each option against your remaining degree requirements and other goals for your time abroad. If a location doesn't have a program that fits your major, ask a CNS Abroad advisor about alternative options in the same country or region. 

Compare course offerings relevant to your major, program structure (exchange vs. affiliate), cost, and support services. A CNS Abroad advisor can help you weigh these side by side. 

Most programs have alternates or similar options at other locations. Talk to a CNS Abroad advisor about backup programs early, so you're not scrambling if your first choice falls through or reaches capacity. 

Yes, there are a select number of universities that offer exchange programs during the summer. Search summer exchange programs. 

A faculty-led program is a short trip (typically 4-6 few weeks) where a UT professor teaches a UT course to a group of UT students abroad. An exchange program means enrolling directly at a partner university typically for a semester or year. An affiliate program means a third-party company runs your courses, you pay the provider directly instead of UT tuition, and the grade doesn't count toward your UT GPA.   

You go deep on one subject in the place it happens, like Introductory Biology in the South of France or Particle Physics at CERN, instead of splitting attention across several classes. A UT professor plans the excursions for you and you travel with a small group (15–30 students) for built-in community. It's lower commitment than a semester away and the tuition costs are part of your Spring tuition bill and financial aid package. Many students like it because it doesn’t impact their Fall or Spring course plans. As a CNS student, you can attend any program that you meet the requirements for (Art History, Spanish, etc.) and are accepted into. Students can explore options for May or Summer term faculty-led programs that meet their specific degree requirements and academic goals by meeting with both their academic advisor and CNS Abroad advisor.  

A one-course trip during the May Term. No extra tuition if you're full-time, and it doesn't count toward your 17-credit limit. CNS offers select May Term programs specifically designed to help CNS students stay on track and make the most of their experience. UT offers May Terms in a variety of academic areas and locations including CNS courses and topics. Search May Term programs. Summer is usually two courses during a summer session, at a discounted version of normal tuition. Search Summer programs with Texas Global. 

You travel with about 15–30 other UT students. One professor teaches the course and builds in local excursions tied to the material. You typically get a mix of cultural and academic experiences during activities and excursions. Schedules for class and other program activities is shared in advance but subject to change. Free time is usually evenings and select weekends. Students are expected to participate in all scheduled program activities and excursions.  

Some programs combine credit-bearing coursework with an internship or research placement; others are internship/research-only without coursework. Check each program's structure carefully, since this affects both your credit and your visa/work authorization situation. You can find out more about Researching or Interning Abroad on the CNS Abroad website. 

There are a few paths: participating in research during an exchange semester at a partner university while also taking courses; an affiliate program (often in the summer) focused specifically on research; or finding your own research opportunity independently. If you find an opportunity on your own, funding may be available to support independently arranged experiences. Check out resources on the Scholarships and Funding page and ask a CNS Abroad advisor about experiential learning fellowships or similar funding. 

The main options are UT and coordinated programs built specifically around research, internships, or shadowing, including exchange programs where you spend a semester or year at a partner university while also doing research or an internship, affiliate Programs that offer pre-approved, structured research/shadowing/internship placements or an independent arrangement you set up yourself by reaching out directly to an international lab or organization. 

CNS maintains a running list of programs students have used successfully, including exchange options at partner universities in Singapore, South Korea, and Australia that support research and internships alongside coursework, an affiliate summer STEM research program, an affiliate program focused on summer internships and research placements. Check the current Research, Intern & Shadow Abroad page for the up-to-date list and links to each program. 

Yes! CNS runs Medical Shadowing Abroad programs where students engage directly with local physicians and medical institutions in a structured, immersive experience. Current location for the CNS Medical Shadowing Abroad program is Thessaloniki, Greece. Future locations will be updated on the CNS website. There are also affiliate options (students enroll independent of UT) built specifically for pre-health shadowing. 

Check the approved-course database (My Credit Abroad), which tracks courses that have already been evaluated and mapped to a UT equivalent. If a course hasn't been evaluated before, you can submit the course syllabus through the Course Evaluation Requests process to have it reviewed for UT credit. 

Submitting a course evaluation is in fact the same as “petitioning for credit”. It involves submitting a syllabus or course description of a course you plant to take abroad (or have take already) for review so the university can decide what UT course (or requirement) it satisfies. This is done through a Course Evaluation Requests submission, ideally after meeting with your academic advisor and reviewing the Study Abroad Credit information (see also the Credit Checklist and the Credit 101 video series). Requests can be submitted at any time, but it's best to start the process as early as possible. 

This depends on the specific course, your college's double-counting rules, and how the course was approved. Don't assume it double-counts. Always confirm with your academic advisor for any courses required for degree completion. 

Most programs have two parts: (1) an online application submitted through the university's MyAbroad portal, and (2) a separate program application (submitted to the sponsoring department, foreign partner institution, or affiliate provider). 

The online application commonly includes:

• an essay or personal statement, 
• a faculty reference or recommendation questionnaire, 
• a resume, 
• a foreign language evaluation (if relevant), 
• a course selection form, 
• a code of conduct/participation agreement, 
• a refund policy and financial responsibility acknowledgment, 
• and a non-refundable application fee.

Faculty-led programs will have one application through UT followed by specific requirements depending on the faculty, course and location of the program. 

Yes, but specifics will depend on the program. In addition to any program-specific GPA, prerequisite, or language requirements, all students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing to apply and participate. You generally cannot be on disciplinary probation, suspension, or deferred suspension at the time of application or during your time abroad.  Meeting minimum requirements doesn't guarantee acceptance. 

For programs through Texas Global, there's an After Acceptance checklist of pre-departure steps to complete before you go. These typically include: attending a pre-departure orientation session, attending a required health & safety workshop, logging into MyAbroad to complete all “Do It Now” acceptance forms by the compliance deadline, submitting any remaining Course Evaluation Requests for classes not already in the approved-course database, and researching and independently applying for any visa your destination requires (see the visa process guidelines). Faculty-led and other types of programs may have different post-acceptance requirements. Be sure to check in with program coordinators or faculty after acceptance for any additional steps. 

Pre-departure forms vary by program but commonly include: 

• a health clearance (mandatory for travel over 15 days), 
• an acknowledgment/assumption/release of risk for international travel, 
• overseas insurance enrollment, 
• a refund policy and financial responsibility acknowledgment, 
• a code of conduct and misconduct resolution acknowledgment, 
• flight information, 
• a restricted-regions travel approval request (if traveling somewhere on the university's restricted regions list), 
• emergency contact information, 
• and passport information. 

Support is available for navigating the application requirements. For essays and recommendation surveys, The Writing Center can help you draft and revise application essays. Ask an program coordinator or CNS Abroad Advisor about the specific timeline for the program you're applying to. 

This varies widely. Some programs include housing in the program fee, some help arrange it separately, and some leave it entirely up to the student. Confirm what's included before applying and starting to budget. 

Yes, a valid passport is required for any international travel. If you don't currently have one (or yours will expire soon), apply for a new passport or renewal well in advance. UT provides Passport Services just off campus. Visit their website to make an appointment and for more information. Your passport must remain valid for 3-6 months after your program's end date, whether it's a US or non-US passport. 

It depends on your destination, program length, and passport's nationality. Visa research and applications are generally the student's own responsibility, although program coordinators and advisors can give general advice. You'll need to research your destination country's requirements and apply independently to ensure your stay is legal (see the visa process guidelines). If you hold a US passport, check the U.S. State Department's visa requirements by destination country. Start this process as soon as you're accepted, since it can take time. 

Not necessarily. Many exchange partner universities offer courses taught fully in English, even in non-English-speaking countries. Faculty-led programs are taught by UT faculty in English, and program activities are typically conducted in English or with translation (unless the program has a specific language focus). Affiliate programs are usually the same. That said, it's a good idea to learn some basic phrases (greetings, please, thank you) out of courtesy and if you can take a full course load in English, consider adding a language course too. Keep in mind that English proficiency also tends to vary between larger cities and smaller towns. 

Many programs can accommodate these needs, but it's important to disclose them early in the application process so the program and host institution have time to make arrangements. If you work with Services for Students with Disabilities, connect with them specifically about studying abroad as early in your planning as possible. 

Yes, though your visa status and destination country may add extra steps or restrictions. Talk to a Texas Global advisor early, since the process can look different than it does for domestic students. 

Yes, international travel connected to your studies generally needs to be registered so the university can reach you in an emergency and confirm you're covered by required insurance. You need to register your travel with the University if you are doing research or an internship abroad even if it’s not for credit. See Register Your Travel for the process, and the university's International Travel Policy for the underlying policy. 

Talk to your Program Coordinator as soon as possible. Withdrawing after acceptance can have financial and academic consequences (for example, non-refundable fees or a contract release process), and the details depend on your program and how far along you are. Some programs require a formal contract release agreement to withdraw. Don't wait to raise the issue if your plans change. 

It depends heavily on program type: exchange programs cost the same as UT tuition, while affiliate and faculty-led programs typically have separate program fees on top of things like flights and personal expenses. Before applying, use the “Real Cost” budgeting worksheet and each program's cost details from the program page to compare your actual on-campus expenses against the program's expenses side by side. See also the general Expenses page for an outline of costs for most program types. 

Yes, financial aid can generally be applied toward any approved education abroad program, and award packages are adjusted to reflect that program's specific costs. See the Financial Aid and Loans page for full details. 

May Term is officially part of the Spring semester for financial aid purposes. If you're accepted into a May Term program, your aid package is repackaged to reflect the program budget (which may reissue your financial aid notification), and federal/institutional loans and grants disburse alongside your regular spring aid. For more information on how participating in May Term will affect your financial aid, contact Texas One Stop. 

Yes. Education abroad scholarship awards commonly range from about $500 up to $6,500, and students are encouraged to apply for as many as they're eligible for. Most applications are submitted through LASSO (search using the keyword “Education Abroad”) and typically ask for some combination of biographical information and a personal essay tied to the scholarship's specific focus. Some scholarships applications may be submitted outside the LASSO system as well. Review options for Scholarships on the CNS Abroad and Texas Global pages here. 

Scholarship application windows generally run by term, from roughly January–April for fall programs, July–October for spring programs, August–November for May Term programs, and December–February for summer programs (exact dates vary and should always be confirmed on the current application). Importantly, many scholarship deadlines are the same as - or even earlier than - the program application deadline, so research scholarships and apply in tandem with your program application rather than waiting until after you're accepted. See the Scholarships FAQ for more detail. 

There are a number of endowed scholarships available across terms, each with its own eligibility focus. For example, some prioritize financial need, some favor students studying in specific regions, some support academic-year-long programs or nontraditional destinations, and others are tied to specific fee-based programs like the International Education Fee Scholarship. See the current CNS Abroad and  UT Scholarships list, since offerings and cycles change. 

Yes. In addition to general education abroad scholarships (which typically cover internships and research, not just coursework), there is dedicated Funding for Internships Abroad, including the Freeman Scholars award, which provides generous funding for undergraduate and graduate students completing internships in East and Southeast Asia. 

Yes! CNS offers several of its own scholarships in addition to university-wide options: a Summer Experiential Learning Fellowship (supports domestic or international research/internship experiences, including self-sourced opportunities, with preference for unpaid or underpaid roles); a Faculty-Led Study Abroad Scholarship for the May Term; a separate Faculty-Led Study Abroad Scholarship for the Summer Term. Each has its own eligibility rules, deadlines, and application cycle. Check the current CNS Scholarships & Funding page for open cycles. 

Potentially, yes. CNS's Summer Experiential Learning Fellowship is open to both UT-affiliated programs and self-sourced (independently arranged) experiences, with preference given to unpaid or underpaid opportunities. You'll generally need to have secured confirmation of the experience before applying, meet a minimum hours threshold, and apply for only one experience per cycle. Check current eligibility details and deadlines before assuming a self-arranged opportunity qualifies. 

Check the program page for program fees and estimated out of pocket expenses (such as flight and food costs). Use the “Real Cost” budgeting worksheet to lay out your projected expenses (tuition, housing, materials, transportation, travel logistics) and compare them against what you'd spend on a normal semester at home. Remember to use the specific cost information published on each program's page. 

Both Texas Global and CNS Abroad (for CNS students) offer dedicated advising for this. Texas Global Education Abroad Advising can speak to program costs and financial aid/loan questions, and CNS students can book a “Study Abroad & International Opportunities Advising” appointment for more personalized guidance on funding sources that fit their major and situation.