General Information About Studying Abroad
The University of Illinois is a world leader in research, teaching, and public engagement. Many hands – at home and abroad — make it so, and many benefit. Study abroad is one of the ways in which our students and others build and benefit from Illinois’ international engagement.
Our mission is to provide and facilitate a range of study and education opportunities abroad consonant in breadth and quality with on-campus Illinois curricula, offered for short or long duration according to curricular objectives and in consideration of students’ obligations, at a range of costs and with opportunities for scholarship or subvention such that study abroad opportunity is available to all students in good standing. Attention to students’ health, safety, and well-being abroad underlies all other considerations.
Our intention is that through study abroad we and our partners prepare students for global citizenship, guiding them to a greater understanding of world and domestic cultures and encouraging them to share that understanding with the hosts abroad and communities at home; that students gain or enhance area linguistic, subject, and cultural knowledge and competence; that students contribute to their host communities; and that students emerge wiser and more engaged citizens.
Prospective Students
As you begin researching study abroad programs you will find that there are literally hundreds of enriching opportunities around the world. One of the most difficult decisions you have is determining which program is right for you. This is a decision that you must make for yourself; no one will choose for you! As you begin the selection process it is helpful to make some preliminary decisions as to the type of experience you want to have. The Prospective Students section of the University of Illinois Study Abroad web site (see excerpt below) is designed to help guide you through the process of selecting and applying for a study abroad program. For more details visit: http://www.studyabroad.illinois.edu/
Away Elective Application
Away-International Elective Scheduling Form
International Safety
International Travel Safety for UIC
For general guidelines by the US Department of State concerning students traveling abroad
University of Illinois International Externships
Information regarding and procedures for applying to UIC international externships can be found below along with a list of International Health Electives and International Electives Scheduling Form.
Procedure for Scheduling Electives at Non-LCME Accredited Medical Schools
Electives at non-LCME (Liaison Committee on Medical Education) accredited medical schools are usually electives offered by foreign medical schools, i.e., “international electives.” However, this category can also include scholarship experiences at hospices, hospitals, clinics, public health facilities, etc. In general, the procedures for scheduling these electives are similar to those for scheduling electives from LCME medical schools as described above. The major difference is that more extensive documentation of the elective is usually required to justify the experience as substantially contributing to the student’s medical education. Students should provide a complete description of the experience including activities, objectives to be met, time spent, location, supervising faculty member, and mechanism for evaluation. In addition, a description of the institution itself should be included in the documentation. This can sometimes be photocopied from the school’s catalog and typically includes information about number of faculty, patients, facilities, etc. These electives also require additional review and authorizations by UIC COM. It is strongly recommended that students who wish to take these elective experiences contact their Academic Advisor in the Office of Student Affairs at the earliest possible time. Information on international health electives is available on the American Medical Student Association (AMSA) website and the AMA Office of International Medicine website.