Welcome to the first step to Studying Abroad!

Participating in a study abroad program is the experience of a lifetime! The Office of International Education is available to assist you in choosing,
applying to, and preparing for whatever program
you choose for your international ventures. The first options to consider for choosing your program are whether you will do an Crimson Hawk Exchange, Faculty-led,  or Third Party program.

Types of Study Abroad Programs

Crimson Hawk Exchanges

Reciprocal agreements between IUP and an
international institution provide for an equal
exchange of students. In a Crimson Hawk Exchange program,
IUP students pay IUP in-state tuition and are assigned IUP course equivalencies for the work they do abroad. Participants will be responsible for paying for flights, books, travel, etc. in addition to their regular IUP in-state tuition, while room and board vary with each exchange site. Students will most likely be in regular university classes with students from the host country and not in special classes designed for foreigners. Proficiency in the host language may be required. Programs are available for all majors, though some may be restricted to a specific department or college. Students should refer to specific program information for details. Students receive transfer credit, not grades.

Faculty-led Programs

Faculty-led programs are study abroad programs led by an IUP faculty member. In a Faculty-led program, students pay IUP tuition for their courses according to their classification and degree level. Students also pay a program fee which generally includes accommodations, meals, local transportation, program related excursions, airfare, and other expenses. Each program focuses on a certain academic discipline with students earning direct IUP course credit, and incorporates excursions and field trips to give students the opportunity to explore and learn about their host country. These programs are primarily offered in the summer and winter sessions. Students are directly enrolled in IUP courses; therefore, they will earn grades for each course.

Third Party Programs (AustraLearn, CEA, SAI, ISEP, GlobalLinks, Semester at Sea)

Third Party programs are offered by organizations that have an official affiliation with IUP. Participants in an IUP Partnership program DO NOT pay IUP tuition. Instead they pay a program fee, which includes tuition and - usually - additional features such as accommodation, meals, dedicated on-site staff, in-country orientations, airport pick-up, insurance, and excursions as part of a comprehensive program package. Students participating in partnership programs may either be taking courses with students from the host country or with other American or international students only. Compare program details and costs carefully because not all programs include the same features. In Partnership programs, IUP students are assigned IUP course equivalencies (transfer credits) for the work they do abroad, and just as the reciprocal exchange programs the grades earned are not factored into their IUP GPAs.