Because Communication Studies requires students to earn 30 semester hours before declaring the major, the summer after your first or second year is a great time to study abroad—especially if you are interested in fulfilling your World Languages requirement abroad or other general education requirements abroad. In general, Communication Studies majors are encouraged to study abroad during their junior or senior year. Just be sure that you are on track to graduate on time when you return! Your faculty advisor can help you see how study abroad can fit into your academic timeline by customizing a Sample Plan on MyUI.

Summer and winter programs are highly recommended, especially for double majors who do not have time to study abroad during the school year. While you might not be completing course work that applies to your major, you can take general education and World Languages requirements. More information about fulfilling academic requirements abroad as a Communication Studies major is available on the Academics tab of this MAP.

Before you enroll in courses abroad, be sure to consult with a faculty advisor in the Communication Studies Department and a Study Abroad Advisor to discuss which of your academic requirements can be taken abroad for credit.

Double majors should be sure to check out the Major Advising Page (MAP) corresponding with their second major, as there are likely study abroad options relevant to both majors.

General Education Courses

Communication Studies majors are encouraged to fulfill general education requirements abroad, especially those who are in their first or second year at the UI. The World Languages requirement, in particular, lends itself to study abroad. Most study abroad locations will offer coursework that will count as part of your general education requirements. For more information, check out our General Education Program MAP.

Major Requirements

Whatever your area of study, there are plenty of opportunities for you to fulfill your major requirements while abroad. Remember that certain Communication Studies major courses cannot be taken abroad. Consult with your faculty advisor to be sure that the courses you are planning to take overseas will transfer upon your return.

Internships

The Communication Studies Department greatly encourages students to pursue internships abroad. The benefits to you are enormous—for one thing, you will get out of the classroom and into society while still earning major credit toward your "practice" requirement. Internships—particularly abroad—add so much to your resume that potential employers will give you more consideration than they might otherwise. Be sure to consult our internships page, and the Communications Studies internships page for more information.

Honors

You may be able to receive Communication Studies Honors credit for courses taken abroad. For more information, consult with your faculty advisor. Keep in mind that if you are pursuing University Honors it is possible to earn an Honors Commendation for 12 hours of Honors coursework taken abroad. For more information, please refer to the Communication Studies Honors page. Please note that you cannot write your thesis abroad, but you are encouraged to research abroad.

Funding your trip abroad

Various scholarships are available for UI students planning to study abroad. Information about these scholarships is available on the scholarships webpage. Additionally, students may be eligible for scholarships offered through the Communication Studies Department. More information can be found at the Communication Studies scholarships webpage. All students are strongly encouraged to consult with a faculty advisor and a Study Abroad Advisor about financing their study abroad experience.

You can start your search with the recommended programs below, but feel free to browse our program database for other possibilities. The specific programs recommended below may change, so check with your major advisor and Study Abroad for the latest updates.

All students who study abroad must be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Each program listed has coursework taught in English unless otherwise stated. In addition, each program has specific eligibility requirements that may include GPA, prerequisites, and/or class standing. For more information about the program, click on the button below the program description.

Oceania

New Zealand

TEAN New Zealand: Victoria University of Wellington
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Calendar Year

Victoria University has a robust Bachelor of Communications degree program. The degree offers five subspecialties: Intercultural Communication, Literary and Creative Communication, Media Studies, Political Communication, and Science Communication. Courses include Approaches to Intercultural Communication; Intercultural Communication and Global Citizenship; The Art of the Essay: Critical, Public, Personal; Forms of Creative Communication: The Essay at Large; Political Communication; and International Communications and Politics.

TEAN New Zealand: University of Otago
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Calendar Year

The University of Otago offers a Bachelor of Arts in Communication Studies within their Media, Film, and Communications program. They offer a wide variety of communications courses. Courses include Gender and the Media, Advanced Communication Theory, Understanding Contemporary Media, Writing for the Media, Theory of Communication Studies, Communication and the City, and Communicating the Self.

Australia

TEAN Australia: Bond University
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Calendar Year

Bond University has a Communication and Creative Media program that provides students with several viable options for class choices. Courses include Creativity and Ideation in Advertising and Marketing Communication, Gender Communication, Conflict Communication, Persuasion and Influence, Intercultural Communication, Critical Thinking and Communication, and Ethical and Legal Strategies for Communication.

TEAN Australia: University of New South Wales (UNSW)
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Calendar Year

UNSW has a Bachelor of Media in Communications and Journalism program. Within this program, students can choose from many options. Courses include Media, Culture, and Everyday Life; Media, Society, and Politics; Analyzing Media Communication; Multiplatform Journalism; and Corporate and Interpersonal Communication.

Europe

Spain

IES Barcelona
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

IES Barcelona offers students the opportunity to deepen their study of communications by exploring themes related to the Spanish and European experience. In addition to a required Spanish language course, students can take communications-related courses taught in English. Relevant courses include Storytelling; Language, Culture, and Communication: The Spanish Perspective; and Media and Politics in Europe.

Czech Republic

CEA Prague Full Curriculum
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

Through this program students take classes in English at Anglo American University (AAU) which is located in the heart of Prague and just across the river from the historic Old Town district. Students take one core International Communication course and then choose three or four electives. Courses include Public Speaking, Media in a Democracy, Leadership and Conflict Resolution, Language and Power, and Digital Tools for New Media.

France

CIEE Paris Open Campus
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

Students take courses in English while studying in Paris. Two courses are taken during each six-week block, and UI students participate in all three blocks for 18 semester hours. Students choose one of six coursework “tracks,” although all courses are open to all students. Courses for the Communications track include Intercultural Communication and Leadership; International Journalism; Media, Gender, and Identity; and Writing Workshop.

United Kingdom

Lancaster Exchange Program
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

Through the Lancaster Exchange Program, Iowa students enroll at Lancaster University, living and studying on campus with their British peers while fully immersed in the local culture. Lancaster offers dozens of communications classes across several departments, including Film and Media Studies, Cultural Studies, and Gender and Women’s Studies, ensuring diverse perspectives. Courses include Consumer Culture and Advertising, Feminism and Social Change, Social Media and Activism, Media and Visual Culture, and Viral Media.

Iowa Regents Semester in Wales
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

The Regents Semester in Wales program allows students to enroll at Swansea University, living and studying on campus with local students. Swansea’s Media and Communications department is rated among the top five in the United Kingdom. Communications students can choose from a wide variety of courses from introductory to advanced levels in such topics as journalism, the history of media, digital and social media, media law, and public relations. Courses include Introduction to Media Communication; Studying Digital Media; Investigating Text, Process, and Audiences; Media, Gender, and Sexuality; and Digital Futures.

IES London: Study London
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

Through the IES London: Study London program, UI students live and study in London. The program includes excursions around the UK, strong student support services, and classes taught in a familiar setting with other study abroad students. Communication majors can complete major and general education requirements and participate in a credit-bearing internship in London, gaining real-world experience in their field of study. Courses include Media and UK Politics, and Censored! What the British Could Not See.

Italy

Wells College Florence: Lorenzo de Medici
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

Wells College facilitates enrollment for students at Lorenzo de Medici in Florence, Italy. They have a Communications Department that is part of their School of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences. Sample courses include: Introduction to Communication, New Media: Communication in the Digital Age, Communications Research Methods, and Intercultural Communication. Credit-bearing internship opportunities are also available for students if they meet the pre-requisite requirements.

USAC Reggio Emilia
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Summer

USAC Reggio Emilia supports various disciplines and majors, including communications. Students will take an Italian language class (Fall/Spring) and be able to select from a variety of courses. Sample courses related to this major include Communication Between the Sexes, Health and Wellness Communication, Social Media and Intercultural Media Topics, and Intercultural Communication. Course offerings vary by semester.

Finland

ISEP University of Jyväskylä
Fall, Spring

The University of Jyväskylä is a top-ranked university characterized by a high level of technological sophistication, active international cooperation, and teaching that is constantly developing to meet the challenges of future professions. The Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences offers courses in communications, intercultural communication, and journalism. Courses include Introduction to Intercultural Communication, Conflict and Intergroup Communication, Diversity in Organizational Communication, and Training Intercultural Competencies.

Asia

South Korea

TEAN South Korea: Korea University
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Calendar Year, Summer

TEAN facilitates direct enrollment for students at Korea University. Students can enroll in classes related to their major, classes for general education credit, electives, and Korean language classes. Korea University has a School of Media and Communication that offer classes like Mass Media and Popular Culture in Korea, Media and Gender, New Media and Communication, and Introduction to Media Criticism. Course offerings vary by semester.