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Stay on Track with the Learning Abroad Process


1. Learn the Basics & Check Your Eligibility

9-12 Months Out

  • Attend a Learning Abroad 101 information session before you start the Learning Abroad advising process. Our Learning Abroad 101 page is where you can find dates and times of our upcoming sessions. 
  • Check your eligibility and our travel policies on our Policies and Guidelines page.

2. Explore Programs & Scholarships

8-10 Months Out

  • Consider your degree plan, courses needed to graduate, budget, and timing to identify 1-3 programs that would be a good fit for you. Search our CoogsAbroad Program Portal to start exploring!
  • Explore ways to fund your experience abroad, including scholarships and using your current financial aid.

3. Advising with Learning Abroad

6-8 Months Out

  • Schedule an advising meeting with a Learning Abroad advisor on Navigate. You will find us under "Support Services." Select your major to be assigned to the appropriate advisor.
  • Fill out the Advising Form on our CoogsAbroad Program portal.  
  • Talk with a Global Guide for support or visit us at one of our Learning Abroad events.

4. Get Your Passport & Check Visa Requirements

4-6 Months Out

  • Apply now to get or renew your passport. Waiting times may be long, so get started early.
  • Visit the Passport for Coogs page to review application requirements and call to schedule an in-person application appointment.
  • Check visa requirements & processing times for your program abroad, especially if you are studying longer than 90 days abroad or if you are traveling on a non-US passport. 

5. Submit Course Equivalency Forms for Credit Abroad

4-6 Months out

  • At this point, you should have identified 1 program you wish to apply for. Determine which courses you plan to take abroad. 
  • Follow the Course Equivalency Form process to earn UH in-residence credit. All approved forms should be submitted in our CoogsAbroad portal.
  • Review academic credit information on our Policies & Guidelines page.

6. Apply with UH & Your Program

4-6 Months Out

  • You can now start your program application!
  • Depending on type of program, students will need to submit their application in the following way: 
    • For Faculty-Led programs: Contact & apply directly with the faculty leader 
    • For REEP & Affiliated Programs: Apply directly with the program provider/university abroad.
  • In addition, all UH students must apply for their program in UH's CoogsAbroad Portal. 
    • Deadlines for Academic Year 2024-2025*:
      • Summer: April 1, 2024
      • Fall: April 15, 2024
      • Academic Year: April 15th, 2024
      • Winter: October 15, 2024
      • Spring: October 15, 2024
        *Deadlines vary by program type.

7. Prepare to Go Abroad

2-4 Months out

  • Complete required forms on the program portal once your applicaiton has been accepted. 
  • Attend mandatory pre-departure orientation.
  • Review additional student resources to support your personal identity, country information, and program abroad.

8. Re-entry

  • Review our Career & Resume Handout to see how you can use your experience abroad for your future job search or graduate studies.
  • Share your photos using the #CoogsAbroad on social media.
  • Apply to be a Global Guide or volunteer with our office to inspire others to go abroad!

Continue Exploring

How do I pay for it? » Scholarships & Funding

Student Experiences

Megan and Jordan went abroad to Costa Rica after becoming friends at UH while on O-team. They both completed a Medical Spanish and Health Sciences program in San Jose with CEA Study Abroad. They each took courses relevant to their majors (in English) as well as a Medical Spanish language course to develop effective communication skills with patients in their future health careers.

—Megan (biology major) & Jordan (psychology major), Spring 2019