Study Abroad FAQs

General Questions

When it works best for you. We offer programs during the fall, spring, summer, and winter term. Consider how the program dates could impact on-campus recruiting and internship plans.

All UW–Madison students are welcome to apply to WSB study abroad programs. We strongly recommend business students study abroad through WSB programs for the purposes of academic alignment and degree progression.

First, ask yourself a couple questions. Are there specific things you are looking for such as internships, language requirements, or certain courses? Do you want to live with a host family? Are program dates a factor? Then, attend a Business Badger Study Abroad information session. These are one-hour information sessions where you learn about the programs. And take advantage of Global Programs drop-in advising in Grainger Hall where you will explore your options with a peer advisor.

All of our locations offer coursework in English.

Yes. Some programs are better suited for learning a language than others. One may offer all courses in English or the local language while another may offer all courses in English, with the potential to take a language course in the local language.

Applying for a Program

View study abroad application deadlines.

You can rank up to four programs on one application. Your top-choice program is the one you are officially applying to.

Academics

Yes, but it requires flexibility and careful planning because:

  • you have fewer degree requirements to fulfill in order to graduate.
  • a particular course is not guaranteed to be available abroad.

Flexibility means a requirement can be fulfilled by taking any number of different courses. The business breadth requirement, for example, can be met with any business course* outside your majors that is not otherwise required for your degree.

You still have to meet any prerequisites for the course you want to take. Some majors allow one or more business courses numbered 365 (Contemporary Topics) to fulfill major requirements. Any degree requirement that can be met with only one specific course (especially an upper-level course) isn’t guaranteed to be available during your semester abroad.

In addition to breadth courses and Topics courses, more flexible degree requirements include:

  • Degree credits: any elective credits still needed to reach the minimum of 120
  • Non-business/economics credits: any still needed to reach the minimum of 52 (not all WSB study abroad and exchange programs may have these available)
  • Business/economics credits: any still needed to reach the minimum of 52
  • Liberal studies requirements: may be met with courses abroad equated with a UW course designated as humanities, literature or social science (not all WSB study abroad and exchange programs may have these available).

*Except general business courses which do not apply to the breadth requirement

Students studying abroad through WSB are required to take at least half of their courses in a business field.

Course offerings vary by program. Our partner schools abroad may change their course offerings yearly. You can review the course offerings by visiting the websites of the schools, then consult UW–Madison’s detailed study abroad program page to see if courses that interest you have been equated to a UW–Madison course.

Yes. The grades will appear on your UW–Madison transcript. While abroad on a UW–Madison program, you are considered “in residence” at UW–Madison. This means you earn residence credit and grades for courses taken abroad.

Yes. Careful academic planning is important. Talk to your academic advisor and start planning early.

This depends on the program. You may register for specific classes before you depart or after you arrive abroad. In both cases, flexibility and preparation are important.

Housing

Most students live in on-campus housing provided by the university or in off-campus apartments with other students (either local or international students). Some of our programs offer home-stays, where students live with a host family.

This varies by program and program type. Your program will have information about housing options.

  • Provider programs: You are required to live in the housing provided by the provider. Examples of provider housing: single or shared apartments, home-stays, and dorms.
  • Direct Enroll programs: You choose between partner-assisted/on-campus housing (recommended) or find your own housing (discouraged).
  • Exchange programs: You choose between partner-assisted/on-campus housing (recommended) or find your own housing (discouraged).

Learn more about program types.

Finances

The cost varies by program and student. Most additional costs come from travel expenses.

For exchange programs, you pay the UW–Madison tuition rate. Provider and direct enroll programs will have a different program fee. More details are on the program pages.

If you already receive financial aid through UW–Madison, in most cases you will be able to use this toward your time abroad. For more information, contact the Office of Student Financial Aid.

Any scholarship you have through UW–Madison can be used toward your time abroad. There are scholarships specifically for studying abroad. Visit the UW Study Abroad scholarships and financial aid webpage for more information.

Financial aid funds will be credited to your tuition account. If you have more than enough aid to cover study abroad expenses, UW–Madison will refund you the difference via check or direct deposit.

Required Documents & Travel

A passport. All countries require a passport. Passport information and application forms can be found on the U.S. Department of State website.

In many cases, students need a visa to study abroad. Visit Travel.state.gov and the website of the host country’s embassy or consulate for information about specific requirements and review this information carefully.

These documents can take up to three months to process. Your passport should be valid at least six months beyond the end date of your program. If your passport expires before then, apply to renew your passport now.

No. While all countries require a passport, not all countries require a visa. Check the website for your host country’s embassy or consulate in the U.S.

No. Students are responsible for arranging travel to and from their host country. It is important to verify the dates. Consider tickets that are refundable or that have flexible return dates.

In most cases, Global Programs will offer a pre-departure orientation.

This depends on the program. Most of our partner schools offer some sort of orientation program.