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University of Florida

Study Abroad Policy

Exposing students to different worldviews and perspectives, in alignment with major-specific content, prepares students for successful careers. Studying abroad is one way in which students can experience another culture, improve their foreign language skills, strengthen their team-building and adaptability skills, contextualize academic knowledge with experiential projects, and much more. In fact, studies have shown that students who study, intern, research, or serve abroad earn higher grades, have higher graduation rates and enter the job market with higher intercultural competency skills than their counterparts. In this ever-changing globalized world, demonstrating intercultural competencies is now a highly sought after skill by employers. 

A CJC Study Abroad program can bring great value to our students and faculty, so this policy provides the guidance to create and run successful study abroad opportunities. All procedures for study abroad program development and administration are based on UF International Center policies.

CJC Program Types 

CJC Exchange Programs: With CJC Exchange Programs, CJC partners with another university. Many of these relationships currently exist for UF (see UF Exchange Programs). Students become immersed in the host country’s culture, have the ability to learn a foreign language and/or take courses in a foreign language, earn UF credit and pay the same UF tuition they would if they were on campus for that semester. These programs require a high level of independence, flexibility, and adaptability on the student’s part and are typically offered during the Fall, Spring, or Academic Year, although they can be offered in Summer.  

CJC Sponsored Programs: CJC Sponsored Programs (aka ‘faculty-led programs’) are specially developed by a CJC department or faculty member. Students study abroad with a group of other CJC students, learn from a CJC professor, earn UF and/or transfer credits (if a course is taught by a provider or host institution), and pay a program fee that includes tuition, housing, health insurance, and program excursions. These programs are typically offered during the Summer, although they can be offered in Fall, Spring, and during Spring Break. CJC Sponsored Programs are rarely a full semester. The list of current programs across UF can be found here. 

CJC Sponsored Programs will likely fall into one or more of the following categories:  

  • Integrated Model – In these programs, CJC students participate in courses alongside degree-seeking students from the host university.  
  • Service-Learning Program – A program in which students engage in activities that address human and community needs together with structured opportunities for reflection designed to achieve desired learning outcomes. 
  • Research Program – This type of program typically pairs a study abroad student(s) with on-site faculty and/or other local experts to explore a specific topic or research question. Such research typically results in the writing of an academic paper or article, with the goal of fulfilling requirements for academic credit, publication in a peer-reviewed journal, and/or presentation at an academic conference.  
  • Internship Program – As defined by the National Association of Colleges and Employers (NACE), a form of experiential learning that integrates knowledge and theory learned in the classroom with practical application and skills development in a professional setting; in other countries this may be known as a traineeship. 

New Program Development 

When developing a new study abroad program, the following steps must be completed: 

STEP 1: Submit a Program Proposal and Program Budget to the Associate Dean of Research (ADR).  Note: Per CJC policy, these are first sent to the ADR for approval before UFIC. 

  • Program Proposal: Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Proposal  
  • Program Budget: Guide to Abroad Program Development Chapter 4 
  • The ADR will assess preliminary faculty fit, including additional duties required of faculty program leader.  
  • If the faculty member is approved at the preliminary stage, the ADR will then meet with the department chair of the faculty member’s home department to determine if they have the chair’s support in this endeavor. 
  • If the chair is supportive, the ADR will complete market analysis of proposed course and review the following factors: 
    • Competition with existing study abroad courses and their student base 
    • Budget and financial considerations  
    • Breadth of scope and ability to attract sufficient students to achieve break-even status 

STEP 2: Submit the (CJC approved) Program Proposal to UFIC.

STEP 3: Once approved by UFIC, the Program Proposal will be sent by UFIC to the CJC Chair and Dean for final signature.

STEP 4: UFIC will match you with a Third Party Provider, who will arrange program logistics for you, if you have not identified one already. The Third Party Provider must be approved by UFIC.

STEP 5: Once you, UFIC, and the provider have developed a proposal (including the program’s activities, itineraries, housing information, cost, etc.), make an appointment with the UFIC Accountant to review budget guidelines and requirements.

STEP 6: All UF program directors/instructors/staff traveling for the implementation of their study abroad program must complete a Program Director Enrollment application. Click here to enter the application and review all instructions.

STEP 7: Upon your return: 

Notes:  

  • Refer to UFIC’s Guide to Abroad Program Development Chapters 1-3 for an introduction to UFIC & International Education and Experiential Learning & Program Models. Refer to Chapters 5 for common issues with UF programs and risk, health, and safety management.  
  • Faculty members who wish to lead a new course with no prior experience should apply to the UFIC Study Abroad Leadership Program: https://internationalcenter.ufl.edu/study-abroad-leadership-program. They may also shadow faculty on existing programs to gain experience. 
  • Attend a Study Abroad Info Session provided by the UFIC. They are held every Tuesday and Wednesday during the Fall/Spring semesters from 3:00 – 3:50 pm in the UF International Center Small Conference Room. If you are unable to attend one of their live info sessions, you can watch a virtual info session presentation via Youtube. Note: all students MUST attend this session before meeting with a Study Abroad Advisor. 

Contact Us

UF International Center Resources

CJC Division of Research International Contacts