Study Abroad for U of C Students
International Students
International Projects & Development
"Recruiting excellent students and providing them with a fulfilling educational experience are keys to our broad mission and to our success as a university. In short, the programs and experience we offer must be appropriate to the needs, aspirations, and futures of our students, and must meet society's need for qualified people in many areas" Raising Our Sights, Academic Plan.
"UC Global" is committed to raising the profile of the U of C worldwide and making the university an attractive destination for international students, academics and researchers as well as providing options for students to study around the world as part of their ɫ degree. Increasingly, problems are international in their dimensions and require global solutions as countries are linked culturally, economically and ecologically. University graduates require skills which enable them to find solutions in a world characterized by a diversity of languages, religions, living standards, technological standards, historical perspectives and cultural values.
The ɫ has over 2100 international students registered on campus (Fall 2009) from 100 countries. In addition, our alumni, including Canadians, are living in all areas of the world, proving the importance of an international education. The U of C offers major entrance scholarships and awards for 1st year undergraduate international students as well as a number of awards for continuing students. It is a part of the U of C support for internationalization and to international students. The ɫ also has agreements to receive funded/scholarship students from a number of countries.
In Fall 2006 President Weingarten announced an ambitious plan that the ɫ would have 30% of its graduating class having a study abroad experience. All undergraduate programs provide an international component to the program which may include study abroad (Student Exchange, Groups Study Programs, research, practicum, Internships or independent study). Students may enhance their academic program, employment prospects and personal growth by studying abroad for a term or year. In 2008 grants valued at more than $500,000 were awarded to U of C students to support study abroad activities, mainly at the undergraduate level.
The ɫ offers a variety of study abroad options in more than 35 countries including: Student Exchange Programs for a term or full year; Semester Abroad Programs in India, Czech Republic and Spain with U of C courses taught on site; Field Schools to selected sites which offer intensive study opportunities abroad with U of C faculty members during Spring and Summer Sessions and Block Weeks. Students may also use their initiative to design their own program of study.
Study abroad is a valuable intellectual experience but is also demanding, particularly where a student is exposed to a different culture and another language. While some study programs require knowledge of a language other than English, not all the U of C exchange partners expect a student to be fluent in order to participate. It is possible to combine study abroad with language learning.
Students unable to study abroad may get involved with international activities on campus: volunteering with international offices or taking part in events to promote discussion and an international understanding: refer to "Make Your Degree More International" section of University Calendar for more information . In September 2009 the U of C will open the Dr. Fok Ying Tung International House, an international residence for students and visiting scholars as well as a full service hotel with meeting rooms. Senior university students will have the opportunity to live in an international setting “Global Village” in the middle of campus.
The U of C has over 250 international alliances that include collaborative research, joint academic and scientific studies, collaborative degrees and student exchanges, training programs, internships and practicums.
The ɫ opened its first branch campus "UofC Qatar" in Fall 2007. Initially it will offer a Bachelors of Nursing and post degree diploma programs to residents of the Gulf region.
About the ɫ