Education Abroad | University of Kentucky College of Arts & Sciences

Each semester, international studies students take advantage of the University of Kentucky’s growing array of education abroad opportunities. From short academic break programs to semester or year-long experiences, UK offers approved options for students to study abroad in over 150 countries around the world.

Why Study Abroad?

As our world becomes increasnigly interconnected, employers are seeking graduates who have cross-cultural competence, real-world application and transferable skills. UK's Office of Education Abroad and Exchanges aims to prepare students for the globally competitive world that awaits after graduation.

Education Abroad Scholarships

UK's Office of Education Abroad and Exchanges seeks to make studying abroad financially feasible for all students through offering general as well as area and term-specific scholarships. For more information on scholarship opportunities or to browse available scholarships, visit the Education Abroad and Exchanges website.

Recommended Programs for International Studies Majors

Each year, UK's Office of Education Abroad and Exchanges evaluates current program offerings and recommends programs that align best with the IS major. Browse through the recommended programs below to see which programs best suit your interests or visits the International Studies Major Advising page.

Europe

The following programs are recommended specifically for international studies majors. For a full list of education abroad programs, visit https://international.uky.edu/ea

Institut Catholique de Paris (ISA)

Paris, France

Term: Academic Year , Fall , Spring , Summer

Language: English, French

Type: Partner

Paris (population 2.25 million) is draped in history, tradition, culture, and glamour, not to mention academia. A center of learning with a plethora of French schools, Paris is an ideal destination for foreign exchange and study abroad students. The Seine River, which bisects the city into its north (Right Bank or "Rive Droite") and south (Left Bank or "Rive Gauche") areas, has long been a source of the city's economic, political, and artistic notoriety. The two banks of the Seine each have distinct personalities- the spacious boulevards and formal buildings of the Right Bank and the cultural and intellectual reputation of the Left Bank- which contribute to the diversity of this magnificent city. Ideal for students pursuing the Culture and the Arts theme.

Florence University of the Arts (SAI)

Florence, Italy

Term: Academic Year , Fall , Spring , Summer

Language: English, Italian

Type: Partner

Florence University of the Arts (FUA) presents a contemporary and thorough approach to a Liberal Arts education, along with an extensive curriculum in Studio Arts. With small classes taught by a highly qualified international faculty, every course aims to enhance the social, intercultural and professional experience of each student. Students have the opportunity to choose classes from any of the 8 schools/departments contained within Florence University of the Arts. Ideal for students pursuing a Global Development theme.

Heidelburg University

Heidelberg, Germany

Term: Academic Year , Fall , Spring

Language: German

Type: Exchange

Located in south west Germany on the banks of the River Neckar, the city of Heidelberg is home to one of the oldest universities in Europe. Established in 1386, Universitat Heidelberg has consistently been ranked in the top three universities in Germany and the top 50 worldwide. It is a truly international institution with almost 20 per cent of the 31,000 student population coming from 130 different countries. The language of instruction is German and applicants are required to demonstrate a minimum of four semesters of university level German by the time of participation. Ideal for students pursuing a Comparative Politics and Societies theme.

Maynooth University

Maynooth, Ireland

Term: Academic Year , Fall , Spring

Language: English

Type: Exchange

Maynooth University is located in the beautiful, historic town of Maynooth, just 30 minutes away from Ireland's capital city of Dublin. The campus combines historic 18th century buildings with state of the art research and teaching facilities and is close to Ireland's 'Silicon Valley'. Maynooth maintains strong links with Intel, HP, Google and more than 50 other giants of industry. Ideal for students pursuing the Cultures and the Arts theme.

Latin America

The following programs are recommended specifically for international studies majors. For a full list of education abroad programs, visit https://international.uky.edu/ea.

Social and Environmental Justice in Oaxaca

Oaxaca, Mexico

Term: Summer

Language: English

Type: Faculty Directed

This research-based program offers students the opportunity to conduct research in social or environmental science while further offering each student the ability to design and conduct their own research project under the supervision of knowledgeable and experienced local researchers. Students will enroll in GEO 365: Special Topics in Regional Geography: Society and Environment in Oaxaca, Mexico (3 credit hours); GEO 431: Political Ecology (3 credit hours); and GEO 406: Field Studies in Geography: Undergraduate Field Research Experience, Oaxaca, Mexico (3 credit hours). Note: GEO 406 is a lab course which fulfills the A&S College Laboratory or Field Experience Requirement. Ideal for Global Development students.

Spanish Language and Latin American Studies - Pontifical Catholic University (ISA)

Valparaiso, Chile; Vina Del Mar, Chile

Term: Academic Year , Fall , Spring , Summer

Language: English, Spanish

Type: Partner

Valparaíso (pop. 284,000), and Viña del Mar (pop. 285,000) are sister cities located halfway down Chile's endless coastline and sixty-eight miles northwest of Santiago. A city of seafaring traditions and grand hilltop views, Valparaíso was once home to the famous Chilean poet Pablo Neruda. Ideal for students pursuing the Culture and the Arts theme.

Universidade do Sul de Santa Catarina (ISA)

Florianópolis, Brazil

Term: Fall, Spring

Language: English, Portuguese

Type: Partner

This Program offers students business and cultural studies courses taught in English as well as courses with locals, in a variety of subjects, taught in Portuguese. Course topics (for courses in English) include studies on ethnicity and society, consumer behavior, global economy, intercultural development and contemporary cultural studies. Ideal for students pursuing a Global Development theme.

Universidad del Pacifico (ISA)

Lima, Peru

Term: Academic Year , Fall , Spring , Summer

Language: English, Spanish

Type: Partner

Lima, the capital of Peru, is situated on the west coast of the southern Pacific Ocean, along the outlet of the Rímac River. Lima's importance as the capital city of Peru and its idyllic location along the southern Pacific coast, provide an exceptional study abroad site for students to improve their Spanish language and learn about Peruvian culture. Ideal for students pursuing a Comparative Politics and Societies theme.

Africa and the Middle East

The following programs are recommended specifically for international studies majors. For a full list of education abroad programs, visit https://international.uky.edu/ea

Summer Internship in Cape Town, South Africa

Cape Town, South Africa

Term: Summer

Language: English

Type: Faculty Directed

This internship program offers hands-on experience working with one of several non-profit and non-governmental organizations in Cape Town, South Africa. In addition students will learn about contemporary South Africa in a conventional seminar taught by UK faculty. Students will enroll in EXP 396: Experiential Education (3 credit hours) and A&S 300: Special Course: History and Culture of South Africa (3 credit hours)

East, South, and South East Asia

The following programs are recommended specifically for international studies majors. For a full list of education abroad programs, visit https://international.uky.edu/ea

Mahidol University (KEI)

Bangkok, Thailand

Term: Academic Year , Fall , Spring , Summer

Language: English

Type: Partner

As Thailand's main port, Bangkok has always been more cosmopolitan than other regions of the country. The city also has significant minorities of Chinese, Indians, Arabs, Malays, Europeans and Americans. In addition to Thai, the national language, English is widely employed in Bangkok. It is taught in secondary schools and in colleges and universities, and used extensively in the important tourism industry. Ideal for students pursuing a Global Development theme.

Russia and Eurasia

For a full list of education abroad programs, visit https://international.uky.edu/ea

Advanced Russian Language and Area Studies (American Councils)

Moscow International University in Moscow, Russia
Russian State Pedagogical University (Herzen Institute) in St. Petersburg, Russia
KORA Center for Russian Language in Vladimir, Russia
Al-Farabi Kazakh National University (KazNU) in Almaty, Kazakhstan

Term: Academic Year , Fall , Spring , Summer

Language: Russian, English

Type: Partner

RLASP serves both graduate and undergraduate students. The program provide approximately 20 hours per week of in-class instruction in Russian grammar, phonetics, conversation and cultural studies in Russia or Kazakhstan. Program features include homestays, weekly excursions, travel to other regions of Russia/Kazakhstan, conversation partners, and a wide range of opportunities to pursue internships, volunteering, hobbies and personal interests in a Russian-language context. Credit for area studies coursework is offered in such subjects as literature and history, political science and contemporary society. All courses are taught in Russian by expert faculty with experience teaching foreign students.

Russian Studies (SRAS)

Bishkek, Kyrgystan

Term: Spring, Summer, Fall

Language: English, Russian

Type: Parnter

Here you will find a highly personalized and customizable program of intensive language study. Although it is one of SRAS' most popular locations, class sizes in Bishkek are the smallest. You will be able to focus on your language skills through personalized attention and optional, specialized language electives. Peer tutoring and an integrated cultural program focusing on Central Asian cultures will take your learning outside the classroom as can optional travel opportunities and active, recommended home stays. Bishkek is especially recommended for students with specific language learning goals and who want a structured environment to surround themselves with language learning for as much of thier time abroad as possible.

Russian Studies (SRAS)

Irkutsk, Russia

Term: Spring, Summer, Fall

Language: English, Russian

Type: Parnter

Irkutsk provides an exceptionally intensive and immersive experience to study both Russian language and the environment. Here, English is less prevalent than in major cities and the slower pace of life means that strong, local, Russian-speaking connections can be made through SRAS-supported peer tutoring and through local interest groups. Irkutsk is especially recommended for intermediate and advanced students.

Russian Studies (SRAS)

Kyiv, Ukraine

Term: Spring, Summer, Fall

Language: English, Russian

Type: Parnter

In Kyiv, an intensive and supportive environment of Russian language study is paired with home stay to provide you with an immersive language and cultural experience. Out-of-classroom experiences and special lectures and workshops introduce you to Ukrainian identity, history and the issues in contemporary Ukraine. Kyiv is a very affordable option for study abroad, due to the many inclusions in this program (2 meals/day, subway transport card) and the generally low cost of living. Part or all of language study in this program may be replaced with Ukrainian.

Russian Studies (SRAS)

Vladivostok, Russia

Term: Spring, Fall

Language: English, Russian

Type: Parnter

This program will critically analyze and explore first-hand the business climate in general as well many of these projects in particular -- including the free port, special economic zones, the "Far East Hectare" project, and infrastructure initiatives in both their investment attractiveness and socio-political value. It's proximity to strong Asian economies that is moving Vladivostok even more to the forefront in representing Russian business interests in the region. Vladivostok is drawing increasing numbers of visitors from its Asian neighbors. Tourists, business people, and students are shaping what is truly a multicultural and dynamic city.

Countless IS majors have taken advantage of the opporunity to pursue their passion for international studies abroad. To read more about the experiences of our alumni while studying abroad, click the images below.