University of Oklahoma students can study abroad in over 100 cities across more than 50 countries for a spring break, summer, semester or year. From OU faculty led to foreign language immersion, there is a study abroad program out there to meet almost every OU student's interests and needs.
You can use our search engine to look for study abroad program by location, term, language or housing type.
There are five general models of study abroad open to OU students:
- Reciprocal Exchange - The reciprocal exchange model of study abroad allows students to study abroad for one or two semesters at a partner university via bilateral or consortium agreements. Each OU student that goes abroad on a reciprocal exchange "buys" a seat for an incoming exchange student from that partner university. OU students pay OU tuition & fees for credits received abroad at a resident or non-resident rate. Students on this kind of program often participate in regular courses alongside degree-seeking students from the host university, although some reciprocal exchange programs are geared towards language learning and have special curriculum for international students.
- Direct Enrollment - This term means that an OU student pays tuition and fees directly to the host university instead of to OU for a term abroad. Many summer programs - including intensive language learning programs - offered at OU partner universities work on the basis of direct enrollment. Direct enrollment is also an option at some partner universities where there are limited reciprocal exchage seats availalble to OU students.
- Faculty Led - Typically in a faculty led program OU students will travel with an OU faculty member and other OU students to one or more countries for a period of one to five-weeks. Regular OU tuition is charged for coursework taught by OU faculty abroad. All "Journey" program are faculty led. A number of colleges run faculty led programs designed specifically for their own students.
- OU in Arezzo - This program in Arezzo, Italy is the University of Oklahoma's signature study abroad site. OU students can study in Arezzo for a semester, year or summer. Arezzo also hosts a number of faculty led travel seminars through various colleges.
- International Education Organizations - There are many institutions and organizations that administer and manage education abroad programs in sites across the world. Many programs offer a mix of English language "US-style" courses combined with integrated university studies for more advanced language speakers.
Although each kind of program works a little differently, what they all have in common is that they are for academic credit and taught outside the United States. A study abroad adviser can help you learn more about the different program types and which one may be the best fit for you. We also encourage students to talk to their academic advisers about study abroad opportunities designed specifically for the curricular needs of students in particular colleges. OU students that go on an unapproved study abroad program may not be able to gain academic credit or apply for financial aid for the term they study abroad.