Health, Sport, and Human Physiology students who wish to take courses that apply to their major will find that second semester of their junior year or first semester of their senior year are the best times to study abroad. However, study abroad can also be an opportunity to fulfill your World Languages requirement or other CLAS Core general education requirements. If that’s the goal, the beginning of sophomore year or the summer after your first or second year is a great time to study abroad; just be sure that you are on track to graduate on time when you return. Your departmental academic advisor can help design a Sample Plan on MyUI to determine when study abroad works best for you.

Summer and winter programs are highly recommended, especially for double majors who do not have time to study abroad during the academic year. While you might not be completing coursework that applies to your major, you can take CLAS Core, including World Languages, requirements.

Some required courses for majors in Health, Sport, and Human Physiology must be taken on campus. Before you enroll in courses abroad, consult with a departmental advisor and a Study Abroad advisor to discuss which of your academic requirements can be taken abroad for credit.

Major Electives

The most common way to make progress in HSHP programs abroad is to complete a major elective. While some equivalent courses can be found with certain programs, in general major electives taken abroad fit the umbrella of the major while also uniquely taking advantage of offerings students cannot experience at Iowa.

Past examples from semester-length programs include: Psychology of Health and Illness; International and European Health and Human Rights; Nutrition Across the Lifespan; Walkable and Bikeable: Healthy Lifestyle Changes; Principles of Biomechanics.

HSHP also offers faculty-led summer or winter courses such as HHP:4490 International Health: Experiential Learning and ABRD:3712 Child Life Experiential Learning Program.

General Education Courses

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

Honors Courses

If you are pursuing University Honors, it is possible to earn an Honors Commendation for 12 hours of Honors coursework taken abroad.

Research

Students who complete a pre-approved research component as part of a study abroad program could receive credit for Undergraduate Independent Study. If this interests you, you’ll need to have the specifics approved by your departmental advisor before going abroad.

Minor Courses

Most departments in CLAS allow up to 3 s.h. of transfer credit towards a minor; be sure to check with your departmental advisor to confirm transfer credit limits. This limitation does not apply to study abroad programs that grant resident credit. Your Study Abroad advisor can share which programs grant resident credit.

Internships

Taking an internship for credit while abroad, especially in the latter semesters of your program, can be a good way to gain experience in a potential career field and transition into post-academic life. More information can be found on the Study Abroad internships page.

General Electives

Study abroad can be a great opportunity to explore new disciplines. While you will not receive credit toward your major for general electives taken abroad, it’s possible to receive credit toward graduation. Talk to an advisor in the Study Abroad office for information about earning credit for general electives completed overseas.

Courses

Many science prerequisites are sequential; it’s not recommended to split Biology I and II or Chemistry I and II, for example, between on-campus courses and courses taken abroad. Some study abroad programs offer the opportunity to take both courses of a sequence in the same semester. Consult your departmental advisor before committing yourself to taking science prerequisites abroad so you can be sure the courses will fulfill your degree requirements.

Funding your trip abroad

Various scholarships are available for UI students planning to study abroad. Information about these scholarships is available on the Study Abroad scholarships webpage. It may be possible to apply a departmental scholarship to study abroad. More information can be found at the Health, Sport, and Human Physiology webpage. All students are strongly encouraged to consult with a departmental 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 the Study Abroad 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.

Europe

Greece

American College of Thessaloniki
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Summer

Students directly enroll in American College of Thessaloniki (ACT), a U.S.-accredited university in Northern Greece. Thessaloniki is the "road less taken," a culturally intact, small, diverse, youthful city that serves as the gateway to Southeastern Europe. ACT offers a host of courses related to health and science, as well as general education and elective courses. Courses include Integrated Human Anatomy and Physiology I, Principles of Epidemiology and Public Health, Immunology, Fundamentals of Human Nutrition and Exercise Physiology. 

Italy

USAC Reggio Emilia Program
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Summer

At USAC Reggio Emilia, students take an Italian language class (Fall/Spring) and select from a variety of elective courses. Courses include Foundations of Personal Health and Wellness, Comparative Global Health Issues and Systems, Nutrition Across the Lifespan, Aging: An Interdisciplinary Approach, Health and Wellness Communication, and Healthy Aging: A Global Perspective. Course offerings vary by semester.

Spain

CIEE Seville International Business & Culture Program
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

Through this unique program, students study in Seville with the support services of CIEE while enrolling primarily in courses at a local university, Universidad Pablo de Olavide (UPO), studying alongside other international students and local students. After completing an intensive Spanish course in beginning through intermediate levels at CIEE, students can choose from a wide variety of courses taught in English at UPO. Courses include Anatomy and Physiology II, General Chemistry, Cellular Biology, Applied Microbiology, Nutritional Epidemiology, Genetics, and Psychology of Sport and Physical Activity.

Exploring Major Determinants of Health in Spain
Summer

Through the Exploring Major Determinants of Health in Spain program, students explore determinants of health outcomes in Spain through a sociological lens with support from a UI faculty member.  Students are exposed to a variety of individual, organization, community, and structural systems in Madrid and Barcelona, using these experiences to identify major determinates of health in Spain, compare them to similar determinants in the United States, and consider the ways these determinants might contribute to health disparities in the two countries.  Then, students work together to brainstorm ways that health promoting determinants in Spain might be applied within the U.S. to improve public health.  This course is approved as a major elective for students in Health Studies, Health Promotion, Exercise Science, and Human Physiology.

United Kingdom

Iowa Regents in Wales: Swansea University
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. Health and Human Physiology students can choose from a wide variety of courses from introductory to advanced levels. Courses include Anatomy and Physiology for Healthcare Science, Health Promotion and Public Health, Human Physiology, Foundations in Exercise Science, Critical Issues in Sport Sociology, and Human Nutrition.

Lancaster University Exchange
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 health science courses across several departments, including Biological Science, Math and Statistics, and Sports Science. Courses include Introduction to Epidemiology, Calculus, Statistics, Introduction to Nutrition, Principles of Biomechanics, Concepts in Sports and Exercise Psychology, and Physiology and Metabolism.

Ireland

Iowa Regents in Ireland: University College Cork
Fall, Spring, Academic Year

Students enroll at the University College Cork (UCC), one of the oldest universities in Ireland, living and studying on campus with their Irish peers while fully immersed in the local culture. UCC offers courses in  of anatomy, chemistry, mathematical studies, nutrition, and physiology. Courses include Anatomy of Exercise, Principles of Human Structure, Introductory Chemistry for Food and Nutritional Sciences, Fundamentals of Organic Chemistry, Calculus, Introduction to Statistics, Principles of Nutrition, Human Nutrition in the Developing World, Introductory Physiology, and Food Security and the Developing World.

Asia

India

SIT India Public Health, Gender, and Community Action
Fall, Spring

Students participating in this program work to understand the pioneering links between public health, gender, and community action in India and Thailand. Key topics of this program include studying the role of community health workers in the healthcare system, exploring public health challenges, witnessing the management of diseases and mental health, and understanding health and its relationship to human fulfillment. Courses include Public Health: Key Determinants, Gender, and Equity; Health Rights Advocacy in South Asia; Hindi; Field Methods and Ethics in Social Science and Health; and an Independent Study Project (ISP). 

SIT India Traditional Medicine and Healthcare Practices
Summer

This program introduces students to many of India’s healthcare systems. Students will gain a deep understanding of how India nurtures its vibrant, ancient traditional medicine systems while experiencing economic growth and modernization. It will examine many of the social, economic, cultural, and legal paradigms that provide a context for healthcare service delivery in India. Students learn concepts of life, health, disease, treatment, and care in Ayurveda, yoga, and Tibetan medicine. Courses include Traditional Indian Medicine: Theory and Context and Field Study of Traditional Indian Healthcare Practices.

South Korea

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

WorldStrides facilitates direct enrollment for students at Korea University in Seoul. The College of Health Science offers a variety of courses relevant for Health and Human Physiology. Courses include Human Physiology, Society and Health, Introduction to Health Promotion, Introduction to Global Health, Health and Globalization, and Health in Old Age. Students can also find biology, chemistry, calculus, and statistics course offerings. Course offerings vary by semester.

Latin America

Argentina or Dominica Republic

CIEE Community Public Health
Summer

These eight-week programs in either Argentina or the Dominican Republic focus on community healthcare, public policies, and the challenges and successes of Latin America public health. During the program you will take two courses in Spanish and complete a Spanish-speaking Community Health Practicum.

Chile

IES Santiago Health Studies
Fall, Spring

This program is designed for students who are health-related majors and have an advanced level of Spanish. You will take a health studies seminar and are required to complete 80 hours of observation in a clinical setting, a community health setting, or in a clinical public health area.

Costa Rica

CIEE Monteverde Open Campus
Fall, Spring

CIEE’s campus on the edge of a cloud forest offers unparalleled opportunities for students to take full advantage of all that Monteverde offers. Two courses are taken during each six-week block, and UI students participate in all three blocks for 18 semester hours. There are no required courses and no prerequisites to participate; however, some upper-level courses will have prerequisites for that topic. Courses include Global Health and Emerging Diseases; General Chemistry I (lab course); Family, Schools, and Child Development; Introduction to Biology I (lab course); General Chemistry II (lab course); Community and Public Health; Biology of Tropical Diseases; Directed Independent Research; and Service-Learning Project.

USAC Heredia Program
Fall, Spring, Academic Year, Summer

This program focuses on life and health sciences and cultural studies. Students can study Spanish, biology, and health and complete an internship or conduct research. Courses are augmented with several field studies, tours, and field trips. USAC students take their classes at the Sede de Occidente, the oldest satellite campus of the University of Costa Rica. Courses include Cell Biology (with a lab), Global Health, Independent Research, and Women’s Health: Global Health and Human Rights.

Africa

South Africa

IES Cape Town Health Studies
Summer

The Health Studies program offers a range of health-related courses that include kinesiology, endemic diseases, and nutrition, as well as courses on the business and social impacts of health care in South Africa. You can volunteer at organizations such as hospitals, clinics, old-age homes, and health-related NGOs.

Child Life Experiential Learning Program
Summer

This program is a 3-week, faculty-led course based in Cape Town, South Africa.  Students will have the opportunity to learn from staff in a variety of hospital and clinical settings.  They take a hands-on approach as they explore the scope of work and services provided by Child Life Professionals, learn the impact of illness, injury, trauma, and healthcare environments on patients and families, and examine psychosocial and developmental issues and how they are impacted by childhood illness and hospitalization in South Africa.  Students interested in health and child life are welcome to participate regardless of major or skill level. Excursions typically include a trip to Cape Point, Table Mountain, a Township Tour, and a Garden Route Game Safari.

Madagascar

SIT Madagascar Traditional Medicine & Healthcare Systems
Summer

Madagascar is one of the world’s globally recognized “megadiverse” countries, and traditional medicine is practiced as an accessible, affordable, and effective method of healthcare. Students explore traditional and allopathic healthcare; travel to rural areas to learn about ethnobotany, home and folk remedies, and healthcare access; and meet with leading academics, allopathic doctors, and Malagasy students. Courses include Social and Political Dimensions of Health and Healthcare Practice in Madagascar.

Middle East & North Africa

Jordan

SIT Jordan Refugees, Health, and Humanitarian Action
Fall, Spring

Students get a firsthand look at humanitarian emergency action in Jordan and Switzerland, two countries critical to the response to the current refugee crisis. Visit Palestinian and Syrian refugee host communities, healthcare facilities, and NGOs while comparing the refugee situations in Jordan and Switzerland. Courses include Refugees and Displaced Populations in the Context of Jordan, Refugee Health and Humanitarian Action, Arabic, and either an Internship or Independent Study Project (ISP). The ISP provides an opportunity to study in greater depth an aspect of academic interest relating to the program.

Oceania

Australia

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

The University of New South Wales offers undergraduate courses in many health-related disciplines. Some health-related course topics at UNSW include food science, kinesiology, exercise science, athletic training, human movement, pre-medicine, and sport and leisure studies. Courses include Introduction to Anatomy, Functional Anatomy for Health and Exercise Science, Exercise Physiology, Health Promotion, International Indigenous Health, and Influencing Health Beliefs and Health Behaviors.

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

The Bachelor of Biomedical Science equips students with broad understanding of health including anatomical and physiological processes of the human body. It provides a strong foundation enabling students to develop their knowledge and skills across a range of disciplines. Courses include Functional Anatomy; Global Health Issues; Food, Nutrition, and Health; Human Nutrition; Sport, Health, and Exercise Psychology; and Foundations of Exercise and Sport Science.

New Zealand

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

The University of Otago is a top-ranked STEM university with brand new labs and a wide range of science and health courses to choose from. Their Bachelor of Science and Bachelor of Health Studies programs offer such subjects as anatomy, biochemistry, genetics, microbiology and immunology, neuroscience, pharmacology and toxicology and physiology. Courses include Anatomy for Sport & Exercise; Functional Human Anatomy; Human Nutrition; Physiotherapy; Molecular, Cellular, and Integrative Neurophysiology; and Physiological Aspects of Health and Disease.