Leading up to my semester abroad in Madrid my junior Spring, there were many logistics to sort out. Here are some tips about finding a program, financing it and more.
1. Start your search early
The earlier you familiarize yourself with the different UF study abroad programs, the easier your life will be. Now, that’s not to say you have to know years in advance, but it definitely helps with preparation and planning class schedules.
UF offers three types of study abroad programs: faculty-led, exchange and non-UF.
A faculty-led program is led by a UF faculty member and consists of other UF students. These are most commonly in the form of summer programs. The credits count directly toward your UF GPA.
In an exchange program, a student is directly enrolled in a foreign university and takes classes there that count directly toward their UF GPA. Depending on the host university, students may have to find their own housing.
A non-UF program is an external or third-party program not directly managed or sponsored by UF. Classes taken in these programs count as transfer credits and do not impact your UF GPA.
The application process for exchange and non-UF programs can be lengthy, so if you are considering these, do your research in advance to make sure you are prepared.
2. Don’t be afraid to go alone
I had known since high school that I wanted to do an academic semester abroad. It just so happened to work out that my friends at UF either had already participated in summer study abroad programs or just weren’t interested in the same program I was.
Despite being pretty scared, I went.
While abroad, I met an overwhelming number of people who had also gone alone. Some of those people became great friends of mine. If I had let the fact that I was going solo stop me from my semester abroad, I would have missed out greatly.
3. Your financial aid may travel with you
Florida Bright Futures and Florida Prepaid apply to UF faculty-led and exchange programs.
As long as you are enrolled in six credits, these programs will cover tuition costs. Airfare and other outside expenses aren’t included.
For UF exchange programs, you pay your normal tuition to UF, so financial aid disbursements will apply as normal.
With non-UF programs, the process is a little trickier. Students pay the third-party provider directly. Bright Futures and Florida Prepaid will disburse at the same per-credit-hour rate; if tuition costs more, these programs won’t increase their contribution.
4. There is no “right time”
I have friends who have studied abroad the Summer after their freshman year, the academic year of their sophomore year, the Spring of their junior year and the Summer after their junior year.
As long as you plan accordingly, there are no limits on when you can go abroad.
5. Talk to a peer adviser
The amount of detail on the UF International Center’s website can make finding a program a bit overwhelming. Luckily, there are study abroad peer advisers who were once in the same shoes.
These advisers sit outside the International Center Monday through Friday, willing to share their experiences and help any student discuss their options.
I took advantage of this opportunity many times, talking with different advisers and listening to their experiences. This helped me decide the experience I wanted to have.
No matter which study abroad option you pursue, there is a great support network to identify which option is best for you.
Contact Shaine Davison at sdavison@alligator.org. Follow her on X @shainedavison.
Shaine Davison is a junior majoring in journalism and minoring in environmental science. She has previously served as the editor of the enterprise desk and reporter for university and sports desks. This semester, she will be studying abroad in Madrid, Spain.
