Discover Study Abroad

1. Complete a Discover Study Abroad Session

Discover Study Abroad (DSA) sessions provide an overview of Study Abroad in general and the steps you'll take to find and apply for the right international opportunity.  DSA can now be completed two ways - via Zoom or via the ICON course. 

Option 1: Zoom session (synchronous)

There will be no virtual sessions during winter break.  Sessions will resume on Tuesday, January 18 at 12:30pm. They will be held throughout the spring semester excluding the week of spring break. 

Don't want to wait? Enroll in the ICON course now!

When: Tuesdays at 12:30 p.m. and Fridays at 11:00 a.m.

Where: Zoom (meeting details provided to registered participants)

Duration: 30 minutes

How to register:

1. Decide which date you would like to attend. 
2. Email study-abroad@uiowa.edu with the date (ex. September 4) you wish to attend and your UID number.  If signing up for a session taking place that day, please call 319-335-0353 to register.
3. You will receive an email confirmation that you are registered.
4. Five minutes before the session, you will receive an email with the Zoom meeting link included. 

Option 2: ICON course (asynchronous)

Do DSA on your own schedule!
Enroll now

2. Define your Objectives

Start by asking yourself...

• How do I want study abroad to benefit my education/time at Iowa?
• How do I want study abroad to benefit me?
• What do I want to gain from this experience?

3. Explore Program Options

 Start by taking a look at the UI Study Abroad program search pages. Your aim is to identify a few interesting options that appear to be well-aligned with your academic, personal, and/or professional objectives. Some characteristics of programs you may want to consider are:  does the coursework meet my needs to stay on track for graduation? Does the program meet my financial budget? What type of support does the program have?

4. Meet with a Study Abroad Advisor

Once you have attended Discover Study Abroad and considered a few program options, it is time to schedule an appointment with the study abroad advisor who is most knowledgeable about the program(s) and region(s) in which you are interested.

All study abroad advising appointments will be offered through Zoom until further notice. 

You can schedule an appointment by calling 319-335-0353 between 8:00 am and 5:00 pm, Monday through Friday.

5. Meet with your Academic Advisor

Selecting a study abroad program is an important academic decision.  The relevant UI department must approve the application of credits toward major, minor, and certificate requirements.

6. Research your Intended Destination

The U.S. Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you. Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether travelling to any given country is right for you. Non-U.S. citizen travellers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

7. Get your passport

Passport applications are available online or at the main Iowa City Post Office.

8. Apply to the Program of your Choice

Applications for University of Iowa study abroad programs are available online.  Most applications are due the semester before you study abroad, but some programs have earlier deadlines.

9. Apply for Scholarships and Explore Funding Options

Information and applications are available on our Funding Your Study Abroad Experience page.  We encourage you to apply for any awards that you’re eligible for. Your study abroad advisor will also help you understand how financial aid can be applied toward study abroad.