Learning Abroad

Learning Abroad (LA) facilitates opportunities for UH students to participate in a variety of academic and non-academic programs abroad. It is located in suite 105 of the Ezekiel W. Cullen Building. Learning Abroad is responsible for designing the policies and procedures for students participating in learning abroad programs and in assisting the colleges, departments, faculty and students in fulfilling academic requirements.

Undergraduate and graduate students interested in learning abroad have a wide variety of resources available. Students are able to enroll in any one of the following programs:

1. Faculty-Led Programs
   Faculty-led programs are designed by UH faculty and approved by the Texas Higher Education Coordinating Board through UH and facilitated by LA. Students who wish to learn abroad under a faculty-led program must obtain permission from the department or college hosting the program. Students pay regular UH tuition and any additional fees associated with participating in the program. Tuition and fees are paid directly to UH and students are required to purchase the UH provided international travel insurance. UH faculty lead programs to Europe, Asia, South America and Africa.
2. Reciprocal Educational Exchange Programs
   Through its various colleges and departments, UH has agreements with several universities around the world. Students who wish to apply to be a reciprocal educational exchange program student must initiate the process with LA and meet the major requirement specified in the agreement they will participate under. The student will pay tuition and fees at UH and will not pay tuition at the host institution according to the reciprocal exchange agreement. An advisor will guide and assist students through the admission procedures and the payment of fees.
3. Affiliated Programs
   UH manages affiliated agreements with the University Study Abroad Consortium (USAC), Council of International Education Exchange (CIEE), American Institute of Foreign Studies (AIFS), Cultural Experiences Abroad (CEA), and many others. LA will provide the necessary assistance to students who wish to participate in an affiliated learning abroad program. Students will be charged an affiliated fee by LA and are required to purchase the UH provided international travel insurance. All program tuition and fees will be paid directly to the affiliated provider. An advisor will guide and assist students throughout the process and the payment of fees.
4. Visiting International Studies Program
   The LA allows students currently enrolled in other U.S. universities to participate in UH learning abroad affiliated provider programs. VISP participants will pay the UH general application fee. Program tuition and costs will be paid directly to the affiliated provider. An advisor will guide and assist students throughout the process and the payment of fees.
5. Research Collaboratives
   The LA will assist students with resources to complete their research projects at a foreign university of higher education. Students seeking research collaboratives should contact their department for recommendations and contacts. Students who wish to undertake a research collaborative must obtain permission from the faculty member leading the program and the department or college supervising their research.
6. Internships
   The LA will assist students with resources to identify internship opportunities at a foreign university, company, firm or laboratory, among others. Students seeking internships should contact their department for recommendations and additional resources. Students who wish to undertake an internship must receive acceptance into such a program prior to requesting assistance from LA.
7. Experiential Learning
   LA will assist students with resources to complete an experiential learning program or independent study program abroad. Experiential learning programs are available for UH students who are not seeking academic credit but who wish to participate in a learning abroad program for purposes of obtaining additional experience in a particular area or professional development.
8. Service Learning Programs
   Service Learning programs can apply to a number of scenarios wherein students participate in a learning abroad program or overseas experience as part of a volunteer effort such as with an NGO, international organization, missionary or student organization, among others. A service learning program is typically for purposes of obtaining additional experience in a particular area or professional development. In some instances service learning programs could be approved by UH departments as course credit which would be determined prior to participation and approved by the department and college hosting the course intended for credit.

Resources:

• Advising
  Learning Abroad advisors and support staff are available at the LA to assist students in finding the right programs, equating foreign coursework to UH courses, evaluation of foreign transcripts, and assuring students’ health and safety abroad.
• U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility
  LA operates a U.S. Passport Acceptance Facility where U.S. students, faculty and staff can have their passport applications processed. LA staff have been trained as Acceptance Agents who meet all U.S. Department of State requirements for operating a Passport Acceptance Facility.
• Learning Abroad Scholarships
  The International Education Fee Scholarship (IEFS) is administered by LA. Scholarship applications are reviewed twice a year by a committee in the fall and spring semesters.