Overview
A study abroad experience is a life-changing experience!
Often, studying abroad is the first time a student is far from family and friends and must navigate a new place, new culture, new foods, and a second language—all while balancing coursework or other educational expectations. It’s exciting and maybe a little scary (in a good way)!
Planning for an experience abroad should begin about three semesters ahead of time. Students should work with their advisor to begin to plan their schedule and should work with a study abroad advisor in UWM’s Center for International Education (CIE) to scout destinations, understand travel requirements and application deadlines, and explore financial aid options for study abroad.
Deadlines for study abroad programs are typically October 1 for spring and summer programs and March 1 for fall starting programs. Please visit the CIE Study Abroad website for detailed information and a database of available destinations to browse.
Current UWM students: Have you already started an application to study abroad? Access your application here.
Language-Specific Information
Students are strongly encouraged to study abroad. The Chinese Language Program offers short-term study abroad programs in China during the summer and in Taiwan during winter classes (UWinteriM). Up to 12 credits will be accepted from study abroad programs for the CIM submajor in Chinese.
About the Program
Established by American University in Washington, D.C., the China Studies Institute – CSI – (formerly Beijing Institute of Asian Studies – BIAS) has been in Beijing since 1985. Still maintaining a strong institutional affiliation with AU, the program began to operate independently, accepting students from other universities in the fall of 2004. CSI’s host institution, Peking University, is the most prestigious academic institution in China. The program is affiliated directly with the School of International Studies and the History Department where American students interact with China’s best students. A particularly exciting option for students participating in the China Studies Institute study abroad program is the opportunity to participate in an internship, arranged by CSI. Past students have worked in Media, Business, Information Technology, NGOs and Non-Profits and Law Firms.
To learn more and see the full program details, please refer to the UMW Center for International Education.
Study Abroad Scholarships
Each spring, two or more UWM students receive the Mandarin Enrichment Award from the R.O.C. Ministry of Education. Advanced students have been awarded the Fulbright/CLASS Scholarship for language and teacher training conducted in China. Annually, the best student in the highest level of Chinese is nominated for the WAFLT Excellence in Foreign Language Study Award.
- Chinese Government Scholarships
- Shanghai Ocean University （SHOU) Scholarships
- Guangxi Normal University
- Taiwan Huayu Enrichment Scholarship
- National Taiwan University Summer Programs: Translating Chinese: Methods and Practice
Study Abroad Documents and Guidelines
UWM conducts a student exchange programs with Korea University. Korea University is widely acknowledged as one of the country’s oldest, largest and top-ranked universities in Korea. Its reputation for quality is based on excellence in teaching, research, and service to Korean society. KU was founded in 1905 and has two campuses, Anam and Sejong.
Korea University Sejong Campus (KU-Sejong) is located in the center of Korea, in Jochiwon, Chungnam. Jochiwon is a small town that is in proximity of three major cities that are easily accessible by either bus or train. Recognized as one of the most beautiful campuses in Korea, with an ideal learning environment for students who appreciate the calm and scenic surroundings of a small town. Korean Univerity Anam Campus (KU-Anam) in located in Seoul, the capital of South Korean and a large city with a population of 10 million people.
Undergraduate students are eligible to attend courses offered by on-campus Korean language institute at these exchange universities. Students may choose to study for one semester or an academic year, or summer programs. Partial financial support and scholarship may be available.
Use this map on the CIE website to discover more information.
There are several study abroad opportunities in Germany. The main German overseas program for undergraduates takes place at the Justus Liebig Universität in Giessen, Germany. It is an exchange program which takes place either during our spring semester, from Mid-March till mid-July or for the entire academic year. We encourage our German majors to participate in the Giessen exchange. The program is available to students at any Wisconsin university or college. Students must have sophomore standing and the equivalent of at least four semesters of college German. Details can be found at the Center for International Education.
Students can also participate in one of three International Summer University programs in the state of Hesse, Germany. These programs are approximately one month long and take place in the cities of Marburg, Frankfurt, and Kassel. The content of these programs changes annually but often include seminars in the areas of cultural studies, political science, economics, engineering, and banking and finance. Students take German language courses and seminars in either English or German.
The University of Wisconsin system also has a special exchange with the state of Hesse. The Hessen-Wisconsin Student Exchange is a broad-based program with a variety of courses offered among participating institutions. These may include total German immersion classes, courses in various disciplines taught in English, or German language and culture for non-native speakers. In general, at least four semesters of college level German is necessary. Students can choose to study in Kassel, Marburg, Giessen, Fulda, Wiesbaden, Frankfurt, or Darmstadt.
Contact Asst. Prof. Karolina May-Chu if interested.
As part of a consortium with University of Wyoming and Saratov State University, UWM offers a six-week summer program in Saratov, 450 miles southeast of Moscow. The program includes 75 hours of intensive language training at Saratov State University, a homestay with a Russian family, several weekly excursions, travel to Moscow and St. Petersburg, and a cruise down the Volga River. Students earn six UWM credits in Russian language. See: http://www.uwyo.edu/saratovstudy/.
UWM students also participate in several other study abroad programs in Russia. Credits earned through these programs can be transferred to UWM and applied toward Russian degree programs. There is a broad variety of such programs available, from month-long programs to academic year programs, and in cities like St. Petersburg, Moscow, Vladimir.
Students interested in study abroad in Russia should contact the Coordinator, Professor Joe Peschio (peschio@uwm.edu, 414-229-4949).
Opportunities
The Center for International Education at UWM has partnerships with institutions of higher learning worldwide. Among these are recently established partnerships with Israeli universities, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev and Hebrew University in Jerusalem. Please email Study Abroad Coordinator Sharon Gosz for more information.
Ben-Gurion University of the Negev
The program is based on Ben-Gurion University’s main campus in Beer-Sheva, the gateway to the Negev desert. Students can apply to student at BGU for a semester or the entire academic year. Students also can take the intensive Hebrew language course in the summer and winter. Another short-term study abroad program runs four to six weeks during the summer. For more information, visit www.aabgu.org.
Hebrew University in Jerusalem
Located on the top of a hill overlooking the 3000-year-old city of Jerusalem, the Hebrew University was founded in 1925, years before the creation of the State of Israel. The Hebrew University emphasizes excellence and research and is proud to be part of six Nobel Prizes won by faculty members and graduates of the University over the past few years. The Hebrew University is ranked in the top 100 of world universities. For more information, visit its Office of Overseas Students Admissions.
Scholarships
Milwaukee Jewish Federation
The Kesselman Israel Program Scholarship Fund through the Milwaukee Jewish Federation awards scholarships twice a year to enable Jewish young adults to spend a semester or year in Israel.
MASA Israel Journey
Masa Israel participants are eligible to apply for universal grants and needs-based scholarships. The amount available depends on your age: gap year and study abroad participants receive $1,000 and post-college participants receive $3,000 to $4,500 (depending on the length of the program). Masa Israel also offers eligible participants up to $3,000 in additional needs-based scholarships. For more information, download the scholarship information sheet.
To be eligible for a MASA Israel universal grant, you must:
- Affiliate as Jewish
- Be a graduate of a secondary school and/or between the ages of 18 and 30
- Not have Israeli citizenship OR if you do, you must have left Israel before the age of 14 and have lived outside of Israel for at least four consecutive years prior to receiving your grant.
Students who are not eliglble for other fellowships may apply for support from the Sam & Helen Stahl Center for Jewish Studies for study abroad opportunities related to the field of Jewish Studies. Please email Joel Berkowitz for details.