Pier extending over still lake with bird in the sky.

Study Abroad, Study Away, and International Internships

The School of Education recognizes the importance of study abroad and international internship opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students, and works closely with the International Academic Program (IAP) Office and the International Internship Program (IIP) Office.

Exploring outside your home culture is an opportunity to:

Expand your world view

Cultivate international understanding

Help you be more competitive in the global workforce

Improve or develop language skills

We are excited about the School of Education faculty-led study abroad opportunities that will be available in summer 2023! Read more about them and how they connect to your interests and School of Education majors below. Scholarship funding is available.

Three people whitewater rafting.
Ariel view of London over the Thames.
Photo of school building in the Galapagos.

Dive in: UW Team Building in Costa Rica

Explore community development through a variety of adventure activities. Step out of your comfort zone. Learn theories of group dynamics. Develop team and leadership skills.

Join Associate Professor Luis Columna and Distinguished Teaching Faculty Cindy Kuhrasch from the Department of Kinesiology.

Click program link for eligibility and additional details.

Be part of the audience: UW Theatre in London

British Theatre. What more can you say? Experience the history and modern realities of the theatre. Engage in readings and discussions. Gain understanding of the social and cultural contexts. See a variety of shows!

Led by Colleen Conroy, Audrey Standish, and Jim Stauffer from the Department of Theatre and Drama.

Click program link for eligibility and additional details.

Explore: UW Education, Diversity and Community in the Galapagos Islands

Visit three local schools. Broaden your understanding of the local educational system. Consider the importance of language diversity.

Program leaders: Assistant Professor Diego Roman and Professor Mariana Pacheco, both from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Click program link for eligibility and additional details.

Low green hills and a dirt road.
Photo of ampitheater in mountains of Greece.
City building in Portugal.

Make your way: UW Social Foundations of Learning in Uganda

Examine relationships between schools, families, and communities. Learn about policies and practices. Gain a deeper understanding of different cultural models of education. Look for future offering of this course.

Led by Professor Margaret Hawkins from the Department of Curriculum and Instruction.

Click program link for eligibility and additional details.

Journey: UW Dancing Cultures in Greece

Conduct an ethnographic study of dance. Examine how dance can be used to create a sense of identity and national belonging. Attend workshops. Watch performances. Dance! Look for future offering of this course.

Program leaders: Assistant Professor Natalie Zervou and Lecturer Liz Sexe, both in the Dance Department.

Click program link for eligibility and additional details.

Move: UW Movement as Medicine in Portugal

Examine and compare physical activity and health outcomes cross-culturally. Learn about theories of behavior change as they relate to cultural beliefs. Design a sedentary behavior intervention.

Join Professor Dane Cook and Academic Program Manager Morgan Shields from the Department of Kinesiology.

Click program link for eligibility and additional details.

School of Education Study Abroad Scholarship Overview

The School of Education’s (SoE) study abroad programs support its students in achieving academic goals and developing global skills to thrive personally and professionally in a diverse and interconnected world. UW–Madison students report that cost is the number one barrier to study abroad participation. Thus, the School of Education Study Abroad Scholarship Initiative expands access to study abroad for School undergraduate majors with demonstrated financial need based on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). Scholarship awardees will be fully funded to participate in a SoE faculty-led, short-term study abroad program during the summer of 2023. Receiving full funding includes the program fee, room/board, and airfare. If you are not eligible to complete a FAFSA form, please contact us: global@education.wisc.edu.

Students eligible for the scholarship will receive an email from the Office of Financial Aid by November 15, 2022. Scholarship eligible students can reach out to the Global Engagement Office for support and questions (global@education.wisc.edu).

The Study Abroad Scholarship Initiative is a partnership between International Academic Programs, the Office of Student Financial Aid, the School of Education, and the generous donors to the School’s Impact 2030 Initiative.

To apply for the School of Education Study Abroad Scholarship, you must do three things:

  1. Complete a FASFA form by December 1, 2022. If you are not eligible for a FAFSA, please reach out to global@education.wisc.edu for assistance in completing an alternative form.
  2. Complete your desired program application as early as possible but no later than Friday, February 3, 2023, by midnight.
  3. Complete the IAP Study Abroad Summer Scholarship application as early as possible but no later than Friday, February 3, 2023, by midnight. Non-School of Education majors have a different deadline in March 2023. The IAP Study Abroad Summer Scholarship application will open on WiSH in mid-December. Search for the application by name: “IAP Study Abroad Conditional Application, in partnership with CALS, WSB & IESP.”

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Frequently Asked Questions regarding the SoE Scholarships

Are Pre-SoE majors eligible for the scholarship?

  • Yes, Pre-School of Education majors may apply for the School of Education Study Abroad Scholarship.

Are Teacher Pledge Students eligible for the scholarship?

  • Yes, Teacher Pledge students are invited to apply for the School of Education Study Abroad Scholarship. The School encourages teacher educators to consider attending the Galapagos program with Drs. Mariana Pacheco and Diego Róman, and the Uganda program with Dr. Margaret Hawkins.

Are SoE Certificate seekers eligible for the scholarship?

  • No, students pursuing certificates in the School of Education are not eligible for SOE Study Abroad Scholarship funds.

How much do the programs cost and when do they run?

  • Visit the program page for the study abroad course for which you intend to apply. On each program page, you will find information about eligibility, academics, costs, dates, logistics and how to apply. International Academic Programs is populating the program pages as soon as they have the appropriate information. If something is missing, please check back.

I cannot complete a FAFSA. Is there any way that I can apply for the scholarship funding?

  • Yes, contact the Global Engagement Office and they will work with you to complete alternative paperwork (global@education.wisc.edu).

Who can I talk with to find out more information about the programs?

  • Each program has a different International Academic Program Advisor. Please see the program information above and look for the name of the IAP advisor. They can help you with program specific information. Sara Lieburn (sara.lieburn@wisc.edu) can assist with application questions.

If I complete the application process for the scholarship and program, am I guaranteed a spot?

  • Applications will be reviewed by IAP and the School of Education. Priority is given to School of Education majors. The School of Education wants to make its programs accessible to everyone, so please apply. As with all application processes, we cannot guarantee a spot.

When will I know whether I have been accepted into a program?

  • Study abroad and scholarship applications are both due on Friday, February 3, 2023. You will receive confirmation of admittance by late February, and scholarship decisions by spring break 2023.

I am graduating in May 2023. Am I eligible for the scholarship?

  • No, graduating seniors are not eligible for the School of Education Study Abroad Scholarship. Please contact the Global Engagement Office if you are interested in pursuing international experience post-graduation (global@education.wisc.edu).

Where do I go with more questions?

  • If you have a question regarding the SoE Study Abroad Scholarship, please contact the Global Engagement Office (global@education.wisc.edu), and they will put you in touch with the appropriate staff member.
  • If you have program specific questions, please contact the following IAP Advisors through Starfish: Kate Hamoonga for Uganda and Ecuador; Jessa Boche for the UK and Greece; and Kristin Calkins for Portugal and Costa Rica.

Undergraduate Students

If you are an undergraduate student in the School of Education planning on studying abroad, please keep the following things in mind:

  • Plan ahead. It is never too early to meet with advisors in the International Academic Programs Office and Educational Academic Services.
  • You will receive in-residence academic credit while studying abroad. See Major Advising Pages (MAPs).
  • Scholarships are available. The IAP Office has a number of scholarships solely for UW–Madison students, and there are external scholarships as well. Do not rule out study abroad or study away based on cost. Make sure to meet with IAP to find out what scholarships are available.
  • You aren’t in this alone! There are people in the International Programs Office and School of Education to support you throughout the process.

Study Abroad or Study Away

Are you ready to get started? Visit the IAP website for next steps and to schedule a meeting with a study abroad advisor to talk about:

  • Program options (short-term, faculty-led, semester, academic year)
  • Credit transfer
  • Costs
  • Scholarships/Financial Aid
  • And much, much more!

International Internships

If you wish to pursue an international internship, the International Internship Program (IIP) can help you create an internship customized to your interests. After watching IIP’s Getting Started video to become acquainted with their services, you will be ready to head in for advising and begin to make a plan to intern abroad.

SoE Study Abroad Programs coming in Summer 2024

More summer study abroad programs are in the works and will be added here soon!