Explore the World! The steps below will guide you through selecting a program, finding resources and the application process.
Step 1: Identify Your Academic Goal for Study Abroad
Do you plan on making degree progress towards you:
- Major
- Minor
- General Education (GEs) - upper and lower division
- Language Learning/Improving
Based on your academic goal, different programs will become available to you. Begin on the SF State Abroad Database and only use the subject area search to search for your major, minor, GE's, or a language. Note for GE's, please search general studies to see those programs. If you have complementary studies for your major, you may either search your major, a GE program or a language program. Note: Only search one academic goal at a time on the SF State Abroad Database.
Study Abroad Information Meeting is the first (and required) step
There are three ways to watch the meeting. You only need to do one.
- Watch on YouTube: Study Abroad Information Meeting
- Attend in person: Wednesdays at 2 p.m. in Building C of the Village
- Join on Zoom: Fridays at 10 a.m. RSVP HERE
Research programs based on your academic goal(s): major, minor, general education, or language acquisition.
- Check eligibility (GPA, class standing, and potential course requirements).
- Confirm that the program is available for the term(s) you want to be abroad.
- Review courses abroad to confirm that the program has classes you want to take that align with your academic goal.
SF State Abroad Advising is available weekly throughout the year.
Please do not sign in for advising until after you have attended an information meeting and narrowed down your top 2-3 choices. Then, we would be happy to answer any additional questions you have over zoom, in person, phone or email. If you feel comfortable applying, it is not necessary to speak with an advisor to apply.
Step 2: Note Deadlines & Timeline
Be sure to submit by SF State's deadlines to ensure full consideration and support from the SF State Abroad Office.
Academic year, fall, and summer deadlines:
- February 15 (priority deadline*)
- March 1 (final deadline**)
Calendar year, spring deadlines:
- September 15 (priority deadline)
- October 1 (final deadline**)
*Please note that Waseda (Japan), and Trossingen Music (Germany) are only available for the academic year and have a deadline of January 15 (which is never extended). Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (PUC) also has a January 15 deadline for academic year/fall start but is also available for calendar year/spring start with a September 15 deadline.
**Many programs (but not all) will remain open until the final deadline. Therefore, students are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline if possible. For details about program requirements and academic areas of study at them, please check the SF State Abroad Program database.
Step 3: Degree Planning
An important step is to look at your Degree Progress Report (DPR) in Gateway to see what degree requirements you still need and then to look at potential courses abroad on the program page of the SF State Abroad Database under the academics tab. Once you click on the link from the academic's tab and you are on the website of the university abroad, feel free to come in during advising if you have any trouble navigating their website to find the classes.
The making degree progress abroad page here will walk you through the process of when and how to obtain course approval for study abroad classes based upon your academic goal.
Step 4: Connect with Other Students (optional)
The best preparation for studying abroad is to talk to study abroad alumni and international students. There are a variety of ways to connect with them.
- Connect with the International Education Exchange Council (IEEC).
- Follow IEEC on Instagram @sfsuieec.
- Follow SF State Abroad on Instagram @sfstateabroad.
- Stop by the IEEC Study Abroad table in the Quad in front of the Cesar Chavez Student Center
- Join a Language Exchange
- Visit the IEEC Office in the Cesar Chavez Student Center (room T-125)
- Attend the IEEC Study Abroad Fair!
Step 5: Think About Your Identity (optional)
SF State Abroad is committed to inclusion and equity in supporting all degree-seeking students to study abroad. As you begin thinking about where you might study abroad, take a few minutes to consider your identity.
We are is a constellation of identities, some of which are visible and others we have the option of disclosing or not (e.g. friend, sister, Black, Jewish, queer, transfer student, Californian, American, etc.). How you identify yourself may vary based upon context. Your identity (both what you share and aspects that are apparent) will shape your study abroad experience and how you are perceived.
To consider how your identity will impact your study abroad experience abroad, review the "Going Abroad as a" tab at the top of the page as well as read more on our identity while abroad page.
Step 6: Finances, Budgeting & Application Workshops
This is not required but highly recommended. We offer self-guided workshops that can be done at any time as well as Zoom sessions leading up to deadlines.
If you still have questions, please sign up or come in for SF State Abroad Advising.
Budgeting Workshops Note:
You do not need to know your program prior to beginning this workshop. These sessions are great for students at any stage of the process and can even help you decide between two programs based upon cost.
Put together a budget and apply for scholarships. At this stage, your budget will be more of an estimate. The Budget Workshop page can help you create one.
- For SF State Exchange Programs, please put together a budget using this website.
- For CSU IP programs, find your program on the CSU IP website. After you click on your program, select the "program cost" tab to see IP's estimated cost for your program.
Once you have a budget, then you want to research funding.
Application Workshops Note:
It is best if you know your first-choice program prior as we will guide you based on your program. Applications are slightly tailored by location and/or institution abroad. There is also a difference between CSU IP and SF State Exchange Programs. The process is very similar but looks different since CSU IP will have a secondary step on the CSU IP portal. Follow the application workshop for more information.
If you still have questions, please sign up for advising.
Step 6: Apply or Renew Your Passport
Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of your program. If you do not yet have a passport or it will not be valid for necessary time, please apply for or renew your passport today! You do not have to physically have the passport at the time of the application, but if you are applying/renewing it, you should have started that process by the study abroad application deadline to ensure that everything goes through on time.
Step 7: Apply! Submit Your Application Before the Deadline.
The application is completely online. The first step for all programs is on the SF State Abroad Database. If you have not already done so, you will need to sign in or create an account before applying on the program page. The Application Workshops go over every step including creating an account. If you still have questions, feel free to email studyabroad@sfsu.edu or speak with us over Zoom or in person for SF State Abroad Advising.
To request disability accommodation for any study abroad meeting, workshop, event, or advising session, please contact Study Abroad at (415) 338-1293 or studyabroad@sfsu.edu at least one week prior to an event or meeting.