Study Abroad
Learn what is required in committing to Study Abroad
Overview
Review the information in this section as you prepare to live and study abroad through the Study Abroad program.
Academics
Academic Policies & Your Academic Environment Abroad
Review the Penn Abroad academic policies, including:
- Conduct, Academic Performance, and Integrity
- Grades & Academic Credit
- Courses, Exams, & Program Duration
Review your Penn Abroad program brochure on PASSPORT for additional academic requirements, course information, grade scale information, and possible differences you may experience in the academic environment at your host university. Remember that you will be graded and treated as a local student and, as such, are expected to abide by local expectations and policies at your host university.
If you have questions, please check with your Global Programs Manager for clarification. Past participants are also an excellent resource to learn more about the academic setting in your abroad location and how it may differ from Penn.
Penn Course Registration While Abroad
You will be registered for 4 Penn CUs if you are studying abroad for a fall or spring term, and 2 Penn CUs if you are studying abroad during a summer term. You must remove all registration and financial holds in order for Penn Abroad to register you for term abroad. Your academic advisor or SFRS may be able to assist if you are unsure why you have a hold.
Obtaining Credit for Courses Taken Abroad
While abroad you are required to be taking coursework in the equivalent of 4 – 5 Penn CUs for a fall or spring term abroad, and 2 CUs for a summer term abroad. Individual academic departments at Penn are solely responsible for determining exactly which courses taken abroad will receive credit in particular disciplines.
It is important to note that not all courses taken abroad may be assessed in the equivalent of 1 Penn CU. Therefore, prior to going abroad, use Penn’s External Course Approval Tool (XCAT) to determine both whether your proposed courses abroad are approved for credit by the relevant Penn departments and how much credit you will earn for each of your courses.
You are expected to have sought the advice of your major advisor in planning your studies abroad. Failure to request course approval in advance may result in the denial of credit upon your return to Penn. Additional information on how to navigate and submit courses to XCAT can be found on the External Credit at Penn website.
Finances
Financial Policies & Your Term Abroad
Review the Financial Information page, including:
- Financing Study Abroad
- Financial Policies, Insurance, and Fees
- Program Participation and Withdrawal
Your Penn Bill & Your Budget Sheet
The estimated cost for your term abroad can be found in PASSPORT under the Finances tab of your program’s online brochure. Your Cost Sheet is also attached as a document to your Penn Abroad application. Remember:
- All expenses on your cost sheet are estimates.
- Any item on your cost sheet with a cost of $0.00 is an expense which may or may not apply to you, and which will vary by student. When planning your finances for your term abroad, keep in mind that you may need to budget for this expense.
- Your Penn bill during your term abroad will always include Penn tuition and the study abroad fee. This is listed as a “billable expense” on your cost sheet.
- Your cost sheet will indicate whether additional expenses such as housing, board, or visa fees, will be billed to your Penn student bill (as billable expenses) or if you will owe them directly to your host institution (as non-billable expenses to Penn).
- Non-billable expenses may be items that you need to pay directly to your host institution or they may be items that you will pay on your own over time during your term abroad.
Study Abroad & Financial Aid
Every term, Penn Abroad shares updated cost sheets with Student Registration & Financial Services. Schedule time to meet with your SRFS advisor to understand how your aid package will be adjusted during your term abroad. Also, read the information on study abroad and financial aid on the SRFS special policies webpage.
Fall/Spring/Year Around
In most cases, your financial aid package can be applied towards a Penn-approved study abroad program in the fall, spring, or academic year. Aid packages are adjusted by Student Registration & Financial Services (SRFS) based on information contained in the cost sheet.
Summer Abroad
For financial aid-eligible students participating in a summer study abroad term through Penn Abroad, need-based grant funding is provided by SRFS, Penn Global, and as applicable, Pell Grant. If you are eligible to receive any need-based grant funding towards your summer study abroad program, the exact amount will be communicated to you in your program acceptance notification from Penn Abroad.
In most cases, funding will not cover all projected expenses. Students should carefully consult their program’s cost sheet before committing to a summer term program.
Housing
When planning for a term abroad you need to consider both what housing arrangements you will have during your time abroad, as well as how to cancel and then return to your housing at Penn.
Housing Abroad
Housing information is available on the “Student Experiences” tab of each program brochure in PASSPORT. You are expected to reside in the housing indicated for your program, which may include sourcing your own housing on arrival to your host location, living in a homestay, or living in student university housing.
For some programs, housing is paid directly to your host institution. Some programs also include housing deposits or fees, which you are expected to pay by all stated deadlines. You are also required to follow all housing rules while abroad.
If you are unsure about what type of housing is required for your term abroad program, how to pay for your housing, or if you experience any challenges with your housing while abroad, contact your Global Programs Manager at Penn Abroad.
Canceling Your Housing at Penn
If you are studying abroad in the fall or spring and currently live on campus, review the steps on Penn’s Residential Services for canceling your housing at Penn.
Studying Abroad in Fall
Cancel housing by the last day of spring semester classes or within one week of program acceptance
Studying Abroad in Spring
Cancel housing by the date listed within the Terms & Conditions of your housing contract or within one week of program acceptance
Canceling Your Dining Plan at Penn
Studying Abroad in Fall or Spring
You can cancel housing and dining at the same time by indicating you also want to cancel your dining in your “Request for Early Termination” form.
Canceling Dining Plan Only
If you need to cancel a dining plan only, complete the Cancellation Request Form on the Penn Dining website and email it to bsd-housing@pobox.upenn.edu.