STUDY ABROAD RESOURCES
Let us help you go global.
As you finalize and commit to your study abroad experience, familiarize yourself with the resources available below and get answers to some of the common questions we address through the process.
Global Experiences Handbook
The Global Experiences Handbook contains important information for all students going abroad. Students should review it carefully prior to departure and refer back to it while they are abroad.
Academic planning and credit transfer
Course equivalency database
The Center for Global Education maintains a course equivalency database of study abroad courses that have been previously evaluated for UW-Whitewater equivalency as a resource for students, faculty and staff.
The course equivalency database:
- Does not guarantee that these courses will be approved or evaluated the same way for future students (though it is likely)
- Does not guarantee that a particular course will be offered during the term you’re studying abroad (some courses are offered every other semester or may have been discontinued)
- Does not replace the need to complete the study abroad course approval process
If you’re participating in study abroad on a program that involves taking classes at a host university or study abroad center abroad, you’re required to obtain approval for their proposed study abroad coursework by contacting the course approvers when you have your form completed and can supply the approvers with a course syllabus. Depending on your program type, you will do this by completing either a course equivalency form [PDF] (exchange programs) or a transfer credit agreement [PDF] (all other study abroad programs).
Unless study abroad programs only offer a single course option which all program participants take, students are strongly encouraged to seek approval for twice the number of credits that they actually plan to take abroad in case of course cancellations, schedule conflicts, etc. The majority of study abroad coursework can be approved by the following individuals:
- Robert Mertens, mertensr@uww.edu, College of Arts and Communication
- Kari Pahl, pahlk@uww.edu, College of Business and Economics
- Steven Fischer, fischers@uww.edu, College of Education and Professional Studies
- Susan Johnson, johnsons@uww.edu, College of Letters and Sciences or General Education
- Pilar Melero, melerop@uww.edu, World Languages and Cultures
Students must contact the individuals above once they complete the form to get their courses approved. This is due at your predeparture meeting.
Please note that, for certain study abroad programs or specialized course areas, students may instead be referred to individual department chairs or other designated faculty members for course approval rather than to the above individuals.
Students participating in semester or year-long study abroad programs must enroll in a full-time course load (at least 12 credits per semester) or risk losing full-time status for financial aid purposes, facing loan repayment, etc. The number of credits required on short-term programs (e.g., winterim or summer) will vary — the program information page will typically outline the number of courses or credits students are required to take.
Universities outside the U.S. may utilize different systems for academic credit and grading. When UW-Whitewater receives your host university transcript upon completion of your program, UW-Whitewater will convert the credits and grades you received at your host university to U.S. credits and letter grades before recording your study abroad coursework on your UW-Whitewater transcript.
Your study abroad coursework will be recorded on your UW-Whitewater transcript only after the Center for Global Education receives a transcript from your host institution. Please note that it may take up to three months after the completion of your study abroad program for your transcript to arrive at our office. Many, but not all, study abroad programs will arrange to send students’ transcripts to their home university automatically. However, if your host university or study abroad provider needs to complete a transcript request form or asks you to confirm where you transcript should be sent, please have it sent to the following address:
The Center for Global Education
University of Wisconsin-Whitewater
800 W. Main St.
Whitewater, WI 53190
USA
Equity and inclusion abroad
National and cultural groups around the world differ in their views of equity and inclusion, including race and ethnicity, gender equality, religious freedom, and disability. Students who belong to a minority or disadvantaged population in their study abroad destination may find that perceptions and reactions to their identity are different abroad than in the U.S. Learning as much as possible about your host country’s views on topics of diversity makes for a safer and more enriching study abroad experience.
Race and ethnicity
Women
LGBTQ+
- International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans, and Intersex Association
- Diversity Abroad
- NAFSA: Association for International Educators
- U.S. Department of State
- U.S. passport information for transgender individuals
Religion
Disability
Travel study retrospective from a student-athlete
Six members of the UW-Whitewater women’s track and field team were part of a contingent visiting Greece and Italy from May 15-June 3 as part of a travel study course. Student-athlete Natalie Nadelhoffer, a communication major from Gurnee, Illinois, shared her thoughts on the trip, which was supported by the Center for Global Education.
Student-athlete resources
Student-athletes at UW-Whitewater can — and do — study abroad. We’ll help you make it a reality.
Talk with your coach
- Give your coach plenty of notice that you are planning to study abroad
- Explain to your coach why studying abroad is a priority for your college education — coaches are likely to be supportive of your decision
- Discuss ways to stay active while abroad
Program ideas
Student-athletes could choose a study abroad program that does not conflict with their sports season. Here are some ideas to consider:
- Short-term programs
- Faculty-led travel study programs
- Winterim and summer programs (select winterim and/or summer as search terms)
- Semester programs during your offseason (select fall or spring as a search term)
- Some study abroad programs have sports-related opportunities
- UW-Platteville’s SAIIE program in Sevilla, Spain, offers opportunities for athletes in soccer, basketball, volleyball, swimming, water polo, rugby, and rowing to practice with local teams and participate in friendly competitions.
While you’re abroad
- Stay active
- Cross-train by renting a bike or running
- Join a gym
- Join a club or intramural team at the abroad university
- Find others in the same boat – it’s always easier to stay active if you have someone else to work out with
- Learn to play a new sport/game and make it cultural
- Stay connected to your team
- Communicate with your teammates via WhatsApp or Skype
- Create a blog that your teammates can follow and stay updated with your adventures
- Enjoy being a spectator – become a fan of local sports teams
Additional resources
