External Intersession and Summer Study Abroad

Intersession and summer study abroad are great options for USF undergraduate students who can’t study abroad for an entire semester and/or those who have international experience but would like to explore other destinations while receiving credits that count towards their USF graduation requirements.

This page is intended for students who want to pursue a program external to USF. If you'd like to participate in a USF faculty-led short term program, please visit Global Immersions.

USF students in assisi

Two female presenting students smiling in front of Trevi Fountain

How it Works 

ELIGIBILITY

  • Students must meet the eligibility requirements of a minimum  cumulative 3.0 GPA, pass a disciplinary check, and have earned at least 64 USF credits.   Students are required to meet with a USF study abroad advisor prior to applying for an external intersession or summer program.
  • Students can participate in an external summer program between sophomore and junior year or junior and senior year, as long as summer credits are not within the university’s residency requirement which restricts your last 30 credits at USF.    Students with 64 credits or junior-standing and no more than 96 credits can participate in an external intersession program.
  • International students cannot return to their home country to pursue intersession or summer programs as that is not considered studying abroad.
  • Online or virtual courses are not allowed as students must be able to travel to the host country and attend classes in-person.

Academics

  • Students can only enroll in a maximum of two courses during the intersession or summer term. 
  • Eligible students must submit an online Petition to Enroll in Another Institution (PEAI) form to receive USF course credit. Students cannot receive retroactive credits after their intersession or summer program ends. It is imperative to get intersession or summer course credits pre-approved by USF before committing to the study abroad program. 
  • The pre-approved intersession or summer credits will count towards graduation, but the course names or grades will NOT appear on the student’s USF transcript. Grades earned in external intersession or summer programs do not get calculated into your USF GPA. 
  • Students pursuing external intersession or summer courses can opt for pass/fail grading for elective credits only (and if the host program allows that grading option).
  • Intersession or summer courses that are worth 2 credits each will not fulfill core requirements. 

Programs

  • Students can choose from any accredited study abroad program outside of those on the USF program list. USF may not approve or support study abroad in any country where the U.S. State Department Travel Warning Level 4 or where there is a Level 4 Centers for Disease Control & Prevention designation.
  • Use CGE’s study abroad portal to look through our list of programs.  For example, several of our sponsored programs may also offer summer programs.
  • Use search engines or databases like goabroad and studyabroad for programs not included in the USF Study Abroad portal. 
  • Past Intersession and External Summer Programs USF students have participated in:
    • AIFS, SIT, CEA, IES, DIS, Yonsei University, Sophia University, John Felice Rome Center, Sogang University, CIEE

costs

  • Students pay all costs directly to the host intersession or summer program such as tuition, housing, and insurance.
  • No USF financial aid applies when participating in an external intersession or summer program.
  • Check Funding Opportunities for scholarships you may be eligible for. Almost all merit and need based scholarships can be applied to summer programs.

Phases 1 to 3

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  1. Submit Interest Form
  2. Meet with a USF study abroad advisor prior to applying for an external intersession or summer program.
  3. Research external study abroad program for courses, costs, and application deadlines:
    • studyabroad.com
    • goabroad.com
    • Use CGE's study abroad portal to look through our list of programs.  Several of our sponsored programs may also offer intersession (winter or January term) and summer programs such as AIFS, API, IES, Sogang University, Sophia University, Boston University summer internships, and Universite Catholique de Lille which are considered external programs during the intersession or summer term.
  4. Based on your study abroad program's course offerings, create a grad plan.  It is strongly recommended to have it reviewed by your respective major or minor academic advisor, not your CASA coach, you wish to a take a major or minor course abroad. 
    • Psychology majors are encouraged to save your core courses and/or general electives when studying abroad.  However, there is a specific procedure in order to take study abroad courses and have it count towards your Psychology major requirements. Please review this procedure here. 
    • Important advisory for SOM majors:  Create your grad plan according to the sample planning guide.  If you wish to take a major course in a summer program you must have it reviewed and approved by the SOM Undergraduate Advising office (somundergrad@usfca.edu) not your major faculty advisor.   SOM faculty cannot advise on study abroad courses.  Please allow enough time for somundergrad to review your grad plan.
    • If you intend to take core courses abroad, consult with a USF study abroad advisor to help evaluate your study abroad course descriptions or syllabi to ensure that your study abroad courses are transferable and can fulfill your degree requirements.  SOM majors are advised to prioritize saving your core courses to complete abroad if possible.
  5. Students must submit an External Intersession USF pre-application or External Summer USF pre-application by the following USF deadlines to ensure students meet eligibility requirements and gain approval to study abroad:
    •  To study abroad during the Intersession or Winter/January term:  October 1
    •  To study abroad during the Summer term:  March 1
    • Important Advisory:  Pay close attention to the host program's published deadline to apply as it may be before USF's pre-application deadline (Oct 1 or March 1).  In some cases, you may apply at the same time to the host program and submit USF's external intersession or summer pre-application.  
  6. If your U.S. passport will not be valid at least 6 months after the end of your study abroad program, apply or renew now.

Once your external intersession or summer USF pre-application has been approved you are now eligible to apply to study abroad.

  • Apply directly to your host program's website.  It is your responsibility to apply directly to your host program by their official deadline date.  Their deadline may be before USF's internal deadline of October 1st for Intersession or March 1st for Summer external pre-applications are due.  Early applications are highly recommended!
  • Consult with a USF study abroad advisor as some study abroad programs may have specific application instructions and requirements such as providing your USF official transript or a faculty recommendation.
  • Please allow 4-6 weeks to hear back from your prospective study abroad program.
  • Become familiar with the following:
    • Withdrawal and Cancellation Policy for your host program, if applicable.  Some programs make you financially liable for up to 100% of the program costs depending on the date you withdraw from their program.  To not pay a withdrawal fee, communicate your concerns early with your study abroad advisor and/or your host program. 
  • Complete the following "Post-Decision" questionnaires through your USF study abroad portal profile:
    • Passport Information Questionnaire
    • Emergency Contact Information Questionnaire
    • Domestic Health Insurance Information Questionnaire
  • Confirm your host program acceptance with CGE.
  • Complete any host program requirements to confirm your offer of acceptance which may include submitting a non-refundable deposit to hold your place in the program.
    • Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection Plan:  Once you commit to your host program and if you withdraw at any time for any reason, you may be financially responsible for fees according to the host program's withdrawal policy.   In order to protect yourself from non-refundable costs, you may consider enrolling in a Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection Plan at least 10 days after you are accepted to the host program.   Ask your study abroad advisor if you need further guidance about the financial consequences should you withdraw from your study abroad program before your program starts or at any time during your program.
  • If required, review your student visa application requirements and begin the visa application process.
  • Complete remaining "Post-Decision" requirements through your USF study abroad portal profile:
    • Submit an online Petition to Enroll in Another Institution (PEAI) form
    • Electronically sign a Waiver of Liability form
    • Ambassador Contact Information Questionnaire
    • Electronically sign the following:  a) Trip Cancellation & Interruption Protection Plan and b) Study Abroad Policies
    • Note:  A Leave of Absence is not required during the intersession or summer term
  • Attend a mandatory Pre-Departure Meeting.
  • Make airline reservations upon receiving your student visa.
  • Obtain necessary immunizations and meet with your physician and/or mental health practitioner to discuss your travel plans and handling of prescription medication abroad.
  • In addition to your host program's departure guidance, check out the Pre-Departure Resources on: