Interested in studying abroad?
Watch College of Arts & Sciences students describe their experiences abroad
**Make sure your passport is current**
Passport: Give yourself 6 months processing time, just in case.
-
1. Visit Gatton Student Center Passport Services Office (bottom level, outer door going toward Cornerstone)
-
Schedule Your Appointment (Monday-Thursday 9a-1p)
-
Prepare Your Documents (They can take your photo & print on site.)
-
2. Submit Your Application: passport acceptance facility
-
3. Track your application: subscribe to email updates (learn more about each status update)
Step 1: First Steps Session
These sessions explain 1. the types of programs, 2. what to consider when choosing a program, 3. how to navigate costs and funding, and 4. preparing course equivalencies for your time abroad. It is the place to get the top-level perspective, and start the conversation early.
Fall 2024 Semester Sessions:
| Thursdays | 3:00 pm - 4:00 pm | Join Zoom Meeting |
| Fridays | 11:00 am - 12:00 pm | Lucille Little Library, bottom level, RED side doors |
Spring 2025 Semester Sessions:
| Day | Time | New Hybrid Option! |
| TBD | TBD |
In Person: Lucille Little Library, bottom level, RED exterior doors Online: Join Zoom Meeting |
More Sessions:
Can't attend one of these sessions? There are more general First Steps Sessions on the Education Abroad website to choose from!
Arts and Sciences group sessions:
Interested in scheduling a First Steps Session for your Arts and Sciences group (class visit, student cohort focusing on education abroad, student organization, etc.)?
- Email AS-EdAbroad@uky.edu to schedule a date and time. We can most easily accommodate Monday-Friday from 8:00 am - 5:00 pm; however, we will do our best to meet your group's scheduling needs.
Step 2: Academic Advisor
Every student is assigned an Academic Advisor, who will help you think about:
- the best time to study abroad in your course planning
- (Depending on your major/minor, you may need to sequence certain courses.)
- (Depending on your major/minor, you may need to be here some semesters.)
- which courses you may want to prioritize while abroad
- (It helps your Education Abroad Advisor to arrive to your meeting, Step 3/4/5, with ideas of courses you want to study while abroad, that can keep you on track and/or free up your time during the semesters here.)
This step is critical to ensure you stay on track toward graduation.
Step 3: Program Search
There are different types of programs (explained in detail here):
- Faculty-Led Programs (See Arts & Sciences faculty-led programs here.)
- Partner Programs (See Arts & Sciences faculty participating in partner programs here.)
- Exchange Programs
- Direct Programs
- Even Virtual Programs
Step 4: Finances: Costs
Each program information page has a "Cost" tab.
- Select the correct term from the dropdown box at the top (e.g. Spring, Summer, etc.)
- Select any required fields (such as tuition)
- Click the print icon to save.
Example:
Step 5: Finances: Funding
UK Education Abroad Office
- Explore Several Funding Sources
- UK Education Abroad Scholarships
- University-wide Scholarships
- Partner Scholarships
- External Scholarships
- Apply on UKEA Scholarship Portal
- This portal will capture all scholarships from the UK Education Abroad office for which you may be eligible.
- University, Partner, and External scholarships will be in separate portals (follow links).
College of Arts & Sciences
- Explore Several Funding Sources within the college
- College Scholarships: Explore
- Deadline: March 1
- Major/Department Scholarships: Explore
- Deadlines vary by program.
- Specific Need-Based Scholarships: Explore
- Deadline: Rolling (reviewed regularly)
- First Generation Students
- Internships, Hands-on Learning
- Student Experience Scholarships: Explore
- Deadlines: March and April
- Education Abroad, Internships
- College Scholarships: Explore
- Apply on Scholarship Universe
- Scholarships range in deadlines, award amount and eligibility requirements.
Step 6: Apply!
To apply for a program, find yours in the Program Search.
Apply to UK Education Abroad: everyone
- Click the blue “Apply Now” button at the bottom of the program page.
- Read the popup text box very carefully for an explanation of the UK EA Application fee. (Note: some applications don’t have a fee.)
- Click Proceed.
- Once you start your application, you will need to complete your profile and all of the application sections.
Apply to partner program or foreign institution: depending on program-- Check the program page for details.
More Questions?
Within the College of Arts & Sciences: You have a team of advocates to help you stay on track and work through all the steps:
- Director of International Initiatives in Arts and Sciences: Book an appointment with Tiffany Williams
- Student Leaders for International Programming in Arts and Sciences
- Instagram for SLIPAS - Weekly events, deadline reminders, and fun international/language opportunities
- GroupMe for SLIPAS - Coordination of attending events together and sharing ideas
Within the Education Abroad and Exchanges Office: You have an advisor who can help you navigate the many different programs, costs, scholarships and application:
- Education Abroad Advisor to College of Arts and Sciences: Book an appointment with Allison Peoples
Have you considered?
Upon your return, you may want to pursue an additional resume-building certificate, which may be easier than you think!
Certificate of Global Studies
The Certificate of Global Studies attests to your ability to live and work in a global community. It documents the global issues you have studied in your undergraduate courses, the credit you have earned through education abroad, the second language in which you have learned to communicate, and your internationally-focused activities in the United States. To learn more, click here.