Other faculty-led programs take students to countries across the globe, including Germany, Peru and South Korea.
Since 2010, Urbino, Italy, has been a common destination for Roadrunners. The UTSA Global Study Center Italy (GSCI) provides students in a variety of degree programs with the opportunity to spend time in the country.
Many of these programs run during the summer, but there are also options during the fall and spring semesters.
Other options for students are exchange partnerships, which enable them to study in English at international partner universities, and affiliated programs, which are coordinated by outside providers and offer the widest variety of destinations and areas of study.
Research shows that studying abroad can have a significant impact on the lives of students. The University System of Georgia’s Consortium for Analysis of Student Success through International Education showed that students who studied abroad were 6.2 percentage points more likely to graduate in four years and earned a 0.12 higher GPA, compared to similar students who did not study abroad. The positive effect of studying abroad was even stronger among students from underrepresented minorities, who were 11.6 percentage points more likely to graduate in four years compared to peers who did not study abroad.
Students interested in studying internationally can explore all the options available through the UTSA Study Abroad office. The study abroad team regularly offers online Study Abroad 101 sessions and Navigating the Study Abroad Application sessions that teach students about the many opportunities available. Students can also schedule virtual appointments.
Students needing financial assistance can apply for financial aid. Federal aid programs, including Federal Direct Loans and the Pell Grant, are often used to help fund study abroad programs. Scholarships, grants and alternative loans may also be used.
The Study Abroad Office offers its own internal scholarship, the International Education Fund, with awards ranging from $300-$1,500 for students participating in UTSA-approved programs. Students can also apply for the Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship, a federal program designed to open up these valuable international experiences to a wider and more diverse group of students.