Programs by Type

Types of Programs

 We offer several different types of education abroad programs, including:

The type of program that’s best for you will depend on your academic needs and interests. For example, exchange and other direct enrollment options are usually best for STEM students. Island programs are great if you’d like to study in a place where you don’t have proficiency in the host country’s language. 

STEM students should also check out the Course Offerings PDF that lists science courses from different programs that have already been approved to fulfill Rochester requirements.

There is a wide variety to choose from. Center for Education Abroad staff will guide you. They’ll also direct you to helpful online resources.

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Exchange Programs

Students abroad

Rochester students trade places with their abroad counterparts for a semester or year. This offers the chance for students in each country to meet past, current, and future participants.

The University has exchanges with:

  • Australian National University 
  • Birmingham City University (United Kingdom)
  • Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
  • Jagiellonian University (Poland)
  • Meiji Gakuin University (Japan)
  • Nanyang Technological University (Singapore)
  • Pontifical Catholic University (Peru)
  • Seoul National University (South Korea)
  • University of Bristol (United Kingdom)
  • University of Cologne (Germany)
  • University of Leeds (United Kingdom)
  • University of Rennes 1- Economics (France)
  • University of Sussex (United Kingdom)
  • University of Western Australia 
  • University of York (United Kingdom)
  • Waseda University (Japan)

Language of instruction: English or host country’s language

Academics: Regular university courses with host country and international students

Housing: Residence hall, apartments, or homestay; varies by university

Costs: You will be billed by the University’s Bursar's Office for Rochester tuition and standard housing; some exchanges will be billed for housing by the host university

Learn more about University exchange programs.

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Integrated (“Direct Enrollment”) Programs

Students in Australia

Integrated (or direct enrollment) programs are often arranged by a sponsoring US college or consortium, and allow you to enroll in an abroad university to take courses with regularly matriculated local students.

The advantage of integrated programs is that they normally offer American-style transcripts, academic advising, and orientation programs for US college students. Even with a high level of support, students find that complete immersion in the host culture can be quite challenging, and requires a high level of maturity, flexibility, and resourcefulness.

Language of instruction: Host country’s language (approximately four or five semesters of college-level language study or the equivalent) or English

Academics: Regular university courses with host country and international students

Housing: Residence hall, apartments, or homestay; varies by program

Financial aid: Rochester financial aid can be applied to Rochester programs

Costs: For University-affiliated programs, Rochester tuition and standard housing is billed by the Bursar's Office

Examples: The IES program at the University of Sydney in Australia, and the CIEE program at the University of Sharjah.

Browse programs by country/region.

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Combined Programs

Student taking a selfie in Madrid

Combined or “hybrid” programs are a cross between island programs and those which integrate students into an abroad university. On-site academic advising will ease you into the foreign university setting.

Students interested in full integration may choose combined programs because of the greater challenges of direct enrollment. Even if students are reasonably fluent in the local language, there are often significant differences in learning, teaching, and testing styles.

Language of instruction: English, host country’s language, or both

Academics: Courses arranged for the study abroad students, as well as local direct enrollment opportunities

Housing: Residence hall, apartments, or homestay; varies by program

Financial aid: University financial aid can be applied to Rochester programs

Costs: For University-affiliated programs, Rochester tuition and standard housing is billed by the Bursar's Office

Examples: On the IES program in Madrid, which requires the equivalent of four or five semesters of college-level Spanish, you might choose to take some IES courses and some regular courses at the Universidad Complutense de Madrid.

Browse programs by country/region.

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Internship Programs

Students in Europe

Many study abroad programs combine traditional academics with hands-on experience outside the classroom. In internship programs, you are placed in an internship while concurrently taking courses. Internships are offered by many organizations and in various fields, including politics, medical research, museums, theaters, businesses, and media.

Internship programs provide academic credit and are not paid. Most countries do not allow you to enter the country as a student and then obtain paid employment.

Absolute Internship has internship programs in eleven different locations across four continents. Internships are offered in a variety of industries ranging from fashion to legal. Learn more here

You can search for internship, research, volunteer, and service learning opportunities using these websites:

Click for here for links to additional opportunities.

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“Island” Programs

Students in Italy

On an island program you will take courses that have been specifically created for the program. They are arranged by a sponsoring college or consortium, and are taught either by faculty members of the home campus, or by host country faculty contracted for individual courses.

Language of instruction: English, in the local language, or both

Academics: In class with other US college students only

Housing: Shared apartment with US students or locals, residential hotel, or private home with a family or landlord/landlady

Examples: University program in Arezzo, Italy

Summer study abroad programs are normally “island” programs because most abroad universities do not offer regular instruction during the summer.

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Independent Enrollment

Student in Africa

While Rochester has existing affiliations with numerous abroad institutions that offer direct (“integrated”) enrollment, it may be that your academic and personal interests lead you to look elsewhere. For example, you might choose to enroll independently at the University of Edinburgh in Scotland.

This option is not open at institutions with which we already have an existing affiliation. For example, there is an IES program at Dublin City University in Dublin, Ireland. If you are interested in applying to Dublin City University, you must apply through the University of Rochester and IES, not Dublin City University.

If you enroll independently at a university that does not issue an US-style transcript, you will be required to document successful completion of the program of study by having your transcript evaluated by a service such as World Education Service (WES).

To transfer credit, you will need to bring back syllabi and reading lists for each course, along with all your written work: notes, essays, research papers, examinations, and any available evaluations of your work by abroad faculty. We will review these documents with faculty before credit can be granted.

Browse programs by country/region.

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Summer Programs

Student in Latin America

If you are thinking about studying abroad, but aren’t quite sure if you would like to spend a full semester abroad, a summer program is a great option. Summer programs are also a good fit if you are unable to fit a semester, or academic year, of study abroad into your plans. You may participate in a summer program as early as the summer following your first year. Students can participate in a range of options including internships, experiential activities and short-term, faculty-led programs.

Browse our Summer programs in the Education Abroad Portal.

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