International Students Abroad

International students are eligible and encouraged to study abroad while pursuing a degree at Illinois. It is important to consider the associated costs and the potential impact on your visa status before applying.

Before getting started, consult with International Student and Scholar Services on what you will need to do to maintain your visa status.

Questions to Consider, Tips, & Resources

  • Questions to Consider

    • What did you learn about yourself when adjusting to your studies at a university in the United States? Are there lessons learned that you can apply to your study abroad experience?
    • What on-campus and off-campus resources will you utilize to prepare to study abroad?
    • How will you fund your study abroad program? Are there scholarships available?
    • How might your experience as a student in the U.S. differ from your experience in your intended host country?
    • Do you plan to travel to other countries, besides the host country, while abroad? What visa requirements are there to travel between those countries?
  • Tips

    • Consult with your academic advisor to see how you may fulfill your degree requirements through study abroad.
    • Learn more about how students are billed for study abroad on the Costs page.
    • Consider that long-term programs (summer, semester, and academic year) result in students being billed for Study Abroad Tuition, which is the same for all students regardless of residency; international students are not charged more than domestic students for Study Abroad Tuition.Review the detailed visa information for non-U.S. citizens on the Passports & Visas page. There are instructions there about both maintaining your U.S. visa and also about obtaining a foreign visa.
    • Review the detailed visa information for non-U.S. citizens on the Passports & Visas page. There are instructions there about both maintaining your U.S. visa and also about obtaining a foreign visa.
    • Questions about your U.S. visa can be addressed to International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS).
  • Resources