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 international travel insurance.
2. Reciprocal Educational Exchange Programs (REEP)
   Through its various colleges and departments, UH has agreements with several universities around the world. Students who wish to apply to be a REEP student must initiate the process with LA and meet the major requirement specified in the agreement (if any). The student will pay tuition and fees at UH and not at the host institution according to the reciprocal exchange agreement. An advisor will guide students through the admission procedures and the payment of fees. (Student may be responsible for some fees at their host institutions.)
3. Affiliated Programs
   UH manages affiliated agreements with the University Study Abroad Consortium (USAC), American Institute of Foreign Studies (AIFS), International Studies Abroad (ISA), and several 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 international travel insurance if it is not provided by the program. All program tuition and fees will be paid directly to the affiliated provider.
4. Research Collaboratives
   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.
5. Internships
   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.
6. Service Learning Programs
   Service Learning programs can apply to a number of scenarios wherein students participate in a learning abroad program or obtain 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 to assist students to find appropriate programs, equate foreign coursework to UH courses, evaluate foreign transcripts, and help promote 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. The facility is open Monday through Friday from 8:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m.
• 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.