Understanding the way study abroad programs are structured is crucial in making the right program choice that will fit your needs.

Ohio State Sponsored Programs - Quarter-length

• Groups of Ohio State students travel together with an Ohio State faculty member or GTA serving as the resident director
• Programs vary in length from three weeks to one quarter
• Students typically earn full-time credit
• Browse Ohio State programs by country, by region or guides.

Ohio State Sponsored Programs - Short-term

• Groups of Ohio State students travel together with an Ohio State faculty member or GTA serving as the resident director
• Programs vary in length from 10 days to three weeks
• Students complete an on-campus class prior to departure and receive study abroad credit in the same quarter as the class
• English is almost always the language of instruction
• Browse Ohio State programs by country, by region or guides.

Co-Sponsored Programs

• Programs are managed by another U.S. or foreign institution. In many cases, these institutions have U.S.-based offices that can provide Ohio State students with additional assistance and information
• Programs are offered for a semester, academic year, or summer session
• Students are enrolled along with local and/or other foreign students and classes are taught either in English or the host-country language
• The courses students take are not pre-determined. You will need to choose your courses and get them approved by the appropriate academic units at Ohio State
• Co-Sponsor Program Overview
• Browse co-sponsored programs by country, by region or guides.

International Exchange Programs (IEP)

• Third and fourth year Ohio State students study at an overseas institution while students from the overseas institution study at Ohio State
• Applicants are selected by an interview committee
• Programs are offered for either one semester or the full academic year
• Students earn full-time credit, and classes are either taught in English or the host-country language
• The courses students take are not pre-determined. You will need to choose your courses and get them approved by the appropriate academic units at Ohio State
• Exchange students pay Ohio State tuition for each quarter of enrollment, plus travel and living expenses
• Browse international exchange programs by country, by region or guides.

Individualized Study

Students have multiple options for pursuing ways to study abroad independently.

Individualized Study Abroad Program (ISAP)

• Design your own program in consultation with an Ohio State academic department or apply for a study abroad program offered by another university or sponsor organization
• Can be either academic in nature or they can be more work-related such as internships, service-learning, and research
• Must have completed one year at Ohio State and have a minimum GPA of 3.0
• Can be short-term or a maximum of three Ohio State quarters
• Most of the program preparation, in-country arrangements and post-program responsibilities will be organized by you. You will also be responsible for finding an appropriate host institution or sponsor organization
• You will need to choose your courses and get them approved by the appropriate academic units at Ohio State
• These could include internships, research and volunteer opportunities.
• ISAP application is processed through the Office of International Affairs

Independent Programs

• Student participates in a program not administered/approved through Office of International Affairs
• Students are required to enroll in Ohio State’s international supplemental insurance and register with the U.S. Embassy
• Student is not registered at Ohio State while abroad
• Student earns non-graded transfer (K) credit and must work with their academic advisors to determine if this will satisfy degree requirements
• Student works with Office of Student Financial aid to determine which forms of financial aid may be available to them

Research

• Students can apply to do research through an Individualized Study Abroad Program (ISAP) or as an independentl program
• Additional support is offered through the Undergraduate Research Office

Internships

• Internships are non-paid, credit-bearing experiences where students have the opportunity to gain professional work experience abroad
• There are a handful of Ohio State approved internship programs. There will not be an Ohio State resident director but there is usually an in-country support staff person
• English is typically spoken in the workplace with these internships
• With internships that are Ohio State sponsored, the credit is pre-determined. With co-sponsored internships, the credit is not pre-determined. You will need to get the credit approved by the appropriate academic units at Ohio State