University Of Portland: Studying Abroad, How Many Students?

The University of Portland offers students a variety of study abroad programs in different countries, including Austria, Australia, England, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Japan, and South Korea. The University of Portland's Office of Study Abroad is committed to providing students with access to international learning experiences and offers funding options and resources for external scholarships. However, it is unclear exactly how many students take advantage of these opportunities and choose to study abroad. With fewer than 3% of all students at Portland State University studying abroad, financial access is a serious limitation for many.

University of Portland's Office of Study Abroad

The University of Portland's Office of Study Abroad offers students the opportunity to complete coursework in cities across the globe, in any major. The office is committed to providing students with access to international learning experiences and offers UP-based funding options and resources for external scholarships.

The University offers semester-long study abroad programs, providing a range of courses to choose from, and students typically earn a full course load of fifteen UP credits. Students can choose from a variety of locations, including Salzburg, Austria; Fremantle, Australia; London, England; Nantes, France; Berlin and Freiburg, Germany; Galway, Ireland; Rome, Italy; Tokyo, Japan; Granada, Spain; and Seoul, South Korea.

For those looking for a shorter experience, the University also offers summer and faculty-led programs. These programs allow students to earn credits in core subjects or explore topics like Cross-Cultural Business or the relationship between Anatomy and the Arts. New programs and destinations are offered every year.

The University of Portland encourages students to meet with study abroad staff to discuss their academic and personal goals and how studying abroad will fit into their time at UP. Students can also meet with financial aid advisors to explore scholarship options and estimate costs. The University provides financial aid for most study abroad programs, including institutional, federal, and state aid for academic year institutional programs and federal financial aid for summer institutional programs.

The Office of Study Abroad's mission is to uphold inclusive access, academic excellence, measurable learning outcomes, and the health and safety of faculty, staff, and students.

Scholarships and financial aid for study abroad

The University of Portland provides financial aid for many study abroad programs. The Office of Study Abroad is committed to providing students with access to international learning experiences worldwide, offering UP-based funding options and resources for external scholarships.

UP-Based Funding Options

UP Study Abroad Scholarships are available, with the exact amounts of scholarship funds subject to change each year. Students accepted or committed to a study abroad program will receive information on how to apply for these funds each spring semester.

External Scholarships

The University of Portland website also provides a list of external study abroad scholarships not affiliated with UP. These include:

• Gilman Scholarship for Pell Grant recipients ($100-$5,000)
• Explore the World Scholarship ($2,000)
• Fund for Education Abroad (up to $5,000)
• U.S.-Japan Council: The Toshizo Watanabe Study Abroad Scholarship Program (up to full costs of attendance)
• Shawn Carter Foundation Scholarship Fund ($1,500 to $2,500)
• Diverse International Women Of Color Study Abroad Scholarship
• Freeman-ASIA Award
• Gilman-McCain Scholarship ($5,000)
• Scott's Cheap Flights Study Abroad Scholarship ($1,000)
• Tortuga Study Abroad Scholarship ($1,000 and a travel backpack)
• James G. Stemler Study Abroad Scholarship ($1,000 - $2,000)
• Boren Awards ($8,000 - $25,000)
• E3 Savings Program

Institutional Programs

For institutional programs run by the University of Portland, institutional (except Tuition Exchange), federal, and state aid are available for use in any academic year institutional study abroad program.

The University of Portland also offers summer study abroad programs. Only federal financial aid (loans and grants, for students who qualify) is available for these programs.

Institute for European Studies (IES) Programs

The Institute for European Studies (IES) offers students opportunities to study abroad in a wide variety of locations not available through institutional programs. The University of Portland has a partial consortium agreement with IES, so only federal and state aid (loans and grants, for students who qualify) may be used for most IES programs. However, French majors studying in Nantes, France, or German majors studying in Berlin, Germany, during a fall or spring semester are eligible for institutional aid (except Tuition Remission and Tuition Exchange), federal, and state aid as long as they are approved by the studies abroad office.

Other Programs

Any program that does not qualify as institutional or IES is categorized as "other." No institutional, federal, or state aid can be used for these programs through the University of Portland. Check with the host institution for aid options available through their Office of Financial Aid. Students should complete the Non-UP Study Abroad Checklist, which can be obtained from the Office of Financial Aid.

Short-term and summer study abroad programs

The University of Portland offers a range of short-term and summer study abroad programs for students seeking international learning experiences. These programs provide students with the opportunity to earn credits while exploring different countries and cultures during their summer break or for a shorter duration during the academic year.

Summer Programs:

University of Portland's summer programs allow students to study abroad while taking advantage of the summer break. These programs are typically led by UP professors and offer an immersive educational experience in various countries. The summer of 2025 includes the following exciting options:

• UP Salzburg, Austria: Students can immerse themselves in the beauty of the Austrian Alps while taking two courses taught by UP faculty. The summer sessions offer unique coursework, such as "Symphony of Knowledge: Integrating Medicine, Science, and the Arts" and "Breaking Bias - The Literature and Psychology of Social Tolerance."
• Sophia University, Tokyo, Japan: This program is designed for independent and self-sufficient students who want to study in the heart of Tokyo for three weeks or a full academic year. There are no language prerequisites, but Sophia University offers optional Japanese language courses.
• GEO Querétaro, Mexico: Students live with Mexican host families and take courses from the Universidad Autónoma de Querétaro (UAQ). This program is designed for students who have completed SPN 102 or tested into 201 or higher in Spanish proficiency.
• University of Galway, Ireland: Students can take two 3-credit courses, including BUS 360: Cross-Cultural Organizational Behavior and Ethics, and explore the beauty of Ireland with visits to the Aran Islands and the Cliffs of Moher.

Short-Term Programs:

In addition to summer programs, the University of Portland also offers short-term programs during the academic year for students who prefer to stay on campus during the semester but still want an international experience. These programs vary each year and may include destinations such as:

• Fremantle, Australia: This institutional program is run by the University of Portland and offers students the opportunity to study abroad during the academic year.
• Nantes and Berlin: The Institute for European Studies (IES) offers students the chance to study in locations like Nantes, France, and Berlin, Germany. While most IES programs do not fall under institutional aid, French and German majors studying in these cities during the fall or spring semester are eligible for institutional aid with approval from the studies abroad office.

The University of Portland is committed to providing financial support for these international endeavours. While UP scholarships/grants typically do not apply to short-term and summer programs, other funding options are available, such as federal grants, federal direct loans, institutional loans, study abroad scholarships, and external scholarships.

Application process and deadlines

The University of Portland offers students the opportunity to study abroad and gain access to international learning experiences worldwide. The application process and deadlines for studying abroad at the University of Portland are outlined below:

Application Process:

Before beginning your application, there are several steps that students should take to determine the best program for their academic, personal, and professional goals:

• Explore the study abroad program options on the University of Portland website and consider how studying abroad will fit into their time at the university.
• Discuss academic and personal goals, as well as potential destinations and timing, with study abroad staff and student peer advisors or the Study Abroad Coordinator.
• Meet with a financial aid advisor to explore scholarship options and estimate costs.
• If applicable, meet with AES (Accessible Education Services) staff to discuss any accommodation needs.
• Ensure that you have a valid passport, as some host countries require passports to be valid for at least six months after the program ends.

Deadlines:

The University of Portland has recommended deadlines for students intending to study abroad:

• For students intending to study abroad in the following summer, fall, or spring, applications are due in November.
• The Early Action (EA) deadline for the following fall semester is December 1, with a final deadline of February 15. Late applications will be reviewed on a space-available basis.
• International students have a final deadline of June 1.
• For transfer students intending to start in the spring semester (which begins in mid-January), the recommended deadline is December 1. For the fall semester (which starts at the end of August), the recommended deadline is June 1.

It is important to note that applications will not be reviewed until the application deadline has passed, and acceptance is not guaranteed. Students will be notified of their application status by mid-January at the latest.

Study abroad locations and courses

The University of Portland offers a wide range of study abroad opportunities for its students, allowing them to complete coursework and gain international learning experiences in cities across the globe. The University's study abroad programs are designed to help students develop independence, confidence, and self-awareness while working towards their academic goals.

For students seeking a full semester abroad, the University offers semester study abroad programs that provide a range of courses to choose from. Students can earn a full course load of typically fifteen UP credits while studying in various countries and cities worldwide. These semester programs are tailored to fit the academic, personal, and professional goals of the students.

In addition to semester-long programs, the University of Portland also offers short-term summer and faculty-led programs. These options allow students to earn credits in core subjects or explore unique topics such as Cross-Cultural Business or the relationship between Anatomy and the Arts. New summer and faculty-led programs are introduced each year, providing a diverse range of destinations and courses for students to choose from.

The University of Portland also provides international volunteer and post-graduate work opportunities for students interested in global engagement beyond their academic studies. These opportunities enable students to gain valuable experience and contribute to their career goals in an international setting.

Furthermore, the University recognises the importance of financial support in making study abroad accessible. They offer UP-based funding options and provide resources for external scholarships to help students fund their international experiences.

With a commitment to inclusive access and academic excellence, the University of Portland encourages students to step out of their comfort zones, embrace new cultures, and gain valuable global perspectives through their study abroad programs.

Frequently asked questions