Program Types

IPENG and other UIUC Study Abroad offices strive to partner with universities and organizations that will give Grainger Engineering students valuable skills, experiences, and gain a global perspective. To best accommodate all students, there are several types of programs of varying length offered by Illinois.

There are 6 types of programs offered; Faculty-Led, Exchange (Semester, Summer, Academic Year), Direct Enroll, Provider Programs, Research, Internships, and now offering Virtual Global Experiences. Read through each type of program to help decide which one(s) may be the best fit for you.

MY STUDY ABROAD TO APPLY

Virtual Global Experiences

Gain professional and international experience through a Virtual Global Experience! Combining a Virtual Global Experience with the LAS 199 course gives you an opportunity to be pioneers in this new space while responding to real needs. Virtual engagement is not just a short-term solution to the disruption campuses face today but is also part of a comprehensive plan to advance internationalization at home for each institution and each student. Study abroad and virtual engagement are not a "zero sum" but rather complement one and other and provide a more rich and seamless experience to students.

Virtual Global Internships, Projects & Research

Internships: Gain professional and international experience through a Virtual Global Experience this summer. Combining a Virtual Global Experience with the LAS 199 course gives you an opportunity to be pioneers in this new space while responding to real needs.

Projects and Research: Similar to our internships, projects and research are available with several of our European partners.

Learn More

Global Classrooms

Looking for more global engagement opportunities that doesn't require travel ? Check out our Global Classrooms. Global classrooms are courses where students can explore and reflect on global problems usually through collaborative projects with local students or communities.

Learn More

Faculty-Led Programs

Grainger Engineering faculty and other college faculty organize overseas programs that last from four days to four weeks. An Illinois professor leads the program and teaches one course. Participants earn from one to nine credit hours, depending on the length of the program.

Visit our Faculty-Led Programs Page to see highlight programs and full offerings.

Departmental programs are right for students who:

prefer on-site support from a program leader
have never traveled abroad
feel more secure being with a group of UIUC students

Photo Credit: J. Lee, MechE, Comillas Sophomore Semester

Exchange Programs are right for students who:
+ yearn for independence
+ want to be fully integrated into the local culture
+ want to plan their own semester activities and excursions
+ desire a broad selection of courses
View all Engineering Exchange Programs

Exchange Programs

Exchange Programs are based on agreements that IPENG maintains with academic institutions around the world. Participants are enrolled as regular students at the partner university but will pay study abroad tuition to Illinois and not tuition to the partner university. The IPENG staff reviews student applications, selects participants and coordinates pre-departure orientations. Most forms of financial aid apply to the program costs. Students earn direct credit for coursework completed. Exchange programs are available for the summer, semester or year.

Cost: Students are billed study abroad tuition, program fees and international health insurance. They will need to purchase plane tickets and pay remaining costs (housing, meals, local travel, and personal expenses) during their time abroad. These costs vary per program so be sure to review the Budget Sheet in the program brochure. It is important to visit the "Paying for Study Abroad" page on costs and financial aid to learn what and how one pays for their study abroad experience.
Assistance: Most partner universities have a supportive international office staff to provide assistance to exchange students. However, students choosing this type of program should not expect a lot of individual attention. As regular students in the university, they are expected to act independently and contact the international office when they need help.
Living: In many cases, students live in university residence halls or university-owned apartments. Some exchange programs offer a homestay option. Students pay housing charges on-site.
Classes: University courses often include both local and international students. If Grainger Engineering students are proficient, they can also take classes taught in the country's native language.
Registration: Exchange programs offer the broadest selection of courses, but it is possible that you will not be able to take exactly what you had anticipated. Registration for classes is usually not possible until after you arrive at the host university.
Traveling: Students on Exchange Programs are free to travel on weekends or during university holidays. Some universities organize trips for their exchange students, but participants in these programs usually plan their own excursions.

Direct Enroll Programs

Direct Enroll programs are similar to Exchange Programs in duration, independence and academics; the main differences are that Direct Enroll programs tend to cost more than exchange programs.

Most Direct Enroll Programs are under IAGE

Engineering Direct Enroll Programs: FAME & UPV Sophmore

Photo Credit: A. Kamboj, ECE, Engineering in Switzerland

Provider programs typically have the name of the provider in the title. Many IAGE programs use these. Keep an eye out for these programs as you conduct your program search.
Provider programs are right for students who:
+ prefer a program designed specifically for students attending U.S. universities
+ want a lot of on-site support
+ prefer to travel with organized excursions
Check out the CEA Sophomore Year Paris Program Here

Provider Programs

Grainger Engineering students are eligible to participate in a number of study abroad programs that are organized by specializing in international education (CEA, CIEE, etc.). Financial aid can be applied to these program costs, and credits and grades are directly transferred to the students transcripts. Provider programs are available for the summer, semester or academic year.

Cost: Students are billed study abroad tuition, program fees and international health insurance. They will need to purchase plane tickets and pay remaining costs (housing, meals, local travel, and personal expenses) during their time abroad. These costs vary per program so be sure to review the Budget Sheet in the program brochure. It is important to visit the "Paying for Study Abroad" page on costs and financial aid to learn what and how one pays for their study abroad experience.
Assistance: Provider programs usually have an office, a resident director and a staff that offer a high level of support and assistance to students.
Living: Depending on the program, students will live in residence halls, apartments or private homes with local families.
Classes: Many procider programs are organized specifically for Americans and other international students. Depending on the program, courses may be taught at foreign universities or at teaching facilities owned by the provider.
Registration: Students register for classes either before or after arrival. Many courses offered by providers are developed especially for program participants. Thus, there is a greater degree of certainty regarding the availability and credit transfer of courses. Unless the program has a language requirement, classes are taught in English.
Traveling: The program fee often includes excursions and field trips. Most include plenty of time to travel independently on weekends or during holidays.