Study Abroad

The Center for Global Engagement

The Columbia University Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement (UGE) develops and supports academic and co-curricular opportunities for global learning and engagement for all undergraduates. These opportunities include study abroad, global internships, global service-learning, global research and global courses on campus and abroad. UGE enhances access and support for undergraduates to global opportunities and brings students and faculty together in a central location that creates a hub of global activity at Columbia, allowing students to better connect and learn about potential programs.

UGE works closely with faculty in their global research and teaching in order to enhance the visibility of their work and to increase their access to opportunities to build their global networks and to build students’ global competencies. This work also allows faculty and staff to share their global and regional expertise and advice, and collaborate on the development, implementation and assessment of new and existing undergraduate global programs and opportunities for global engagement across Columbia and around the world.

Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement
212-854-2559
uge@columbia.edu

Studying in a foreign country for a semester, a full year, or sometimes a summer, represents a significant enhancement to the Columbia College education. Study abroad expands the boundaries of the institution and offers students the opportunity to gain first-hand experience of the larger global community of which we are all members. Students engaged in international study discover insights into other cultures, develop new perspectives, and learn to reflect on how their own culture has shaped their understanding of the world. Students interested in studying abroad should visit the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement as early as possible to discuss their academic goals and to develop a plan for integrating international study into their curriculum.

Eligibility

The College maintains the authority over students' participation in study abroad programs and upholds standards for all potential candidates. To be eligible for participation in a Columbia-approved study abroad program, students must meet the following criteria:

• Students must have a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.0, inclusive of the semester before going abroad.
• Students must have at least junior standing for study abroad in a Fall and/or Spring semester Students in any class year can study abroad during the summer.
• Students must have made satisfactory progress toward completion of the Core Curriculum; specifically, students must have completed Literature Humanities, Contemporary Civilizations, University Writing, and Frontiers of Science.
• Students must have demonstrated academic interest by completing at least one course pertaining to the country or region in which the student intends to study.
• Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing. A review of each student's academic and disciplinary records is conducted as part of the required clearance process. Students on academic or disciplinary probation are not permitted to study abroad during the term of their probation.

It is generally possible to arrange for study in most foreign countries through programs sponsored by Columbia or by other institutions, or through direct application to foreign universities. Such studies may be approved for one to two terms in the junior year or during any summer term.

Credit and Grading

Columbia-Sponsored Programs

Students who enroll in the following Columbia-sponsored programs receive direct Columbia credit for their courses. The grades earned in their studies are reflected on their official transcripts and cumulative GPA.

Columbia-sponsored programs include the following:

• Columbia in Paris
• The Berlin Consortium for German Studies
• The Kyoto Center for Japanese Studies
• Columbia in London
• Consortium for Advanced Studies in Cuba

Non-Columbia Study Abroad Programs

Credit earned through approved programs run by other institutions is applied toward the degree as transfer credit when the student returns to the College, upon receipt of appropriate transcripts and other supporting materials. Grades earned in courses through approved programs run by other institutions are not reflected on the transcript or in the cumulative GPA. College transfer students should note that they are permitted no more than 60 points of outside credit, and that approved programs run by other institutions would be considered outside credit (see Academic Regulations—Regulations for Transfer Students).

All students are reminded that the final 30 credits required for the degree must be taken while enrolled in the College for study on Columbia's New York campus or on one of the Columbia-sponsored programs abroad. Any exceptions require special permission from the Committee on Academic Standing.

In addition, the following conditions apply for credit for courses taken during study abroad:

1. No credit is granted for courses in business, education, journalism, or other subjects that, at Columbia, are typically taught in professional schools.
2. Transfer credit is not awarded for courses taken on a Pass/Fail basis in outside programs. The minimum grade necessary for transfer of credit is C-.

Study Abroad Clearance

Students must be cleared to study on approved programs by the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement by October 1 for the Spring semester and by March 1 for the Fall semester or full academic year. Students must register with this office before November 15 for the Spring semester and April 15 for the Fall semester or the full academic year.

Undergraduate International Travel Policy

All matriculated undergraduates who wish to participate in Columbia-Led, Columbia-Facilitated and/or Recognized international travel must first be cleared to participate in such program and are then required to obtain School Sponsorship at least 4 weeks prior to departure, in accordance with the Undergraduate International Travel Policy.

Tuition and Finances

When studying abroad during the Fall and/or Spring semesters, students remain enrolled at the College and tuition is paid to Columbia. Columbia, in turn, pays the academic tuition and fees of the overseas program, while students are financially responsible for room, board, and any  miscellaneous costs. Students receiving financial aid at Columbia remain eligible for aid when they study abroad with Columbia’s approval during Fall and/or Spring semesters.

Students may direct financial aid and study abroad inquiries to the  Financial Aid and Educational Financing, 212-854-3711; ugrad-finaid@columbia.edu.

Since the Summer term is not a required part of the academic year of Columbia College, financial aid policies for Columbia College students are not applicable during the summer, and students who wish to study abroad on approved program in summer will be responsible for the full costs of tuition and fees, along with room, board, and any miscellaneous expenses. Scholarships may be available for certain programs; interested students are encouraged to consult the  Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement.

For a full list of semester and study abroad opportunities, please visit the Undergraduate Global Engagement website: https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/.

Virtual Exchange

Global Columbia Collaboratory

The Global Columbia Collaboratory works with students and the Columbia global network from around the world to create a space for global learning. Framed by the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, it serves as a platform for virtual exchange opportunities for all involved to learn, reflect, and work collaboratively on projects and ideas relevant to today’s world.  

Selected participants for the Collaboratory will participate in theme-based global seminars from faculty and experts drawn from Columbia’s global networks; exchange perspectives and reflect together on the global challenges framed by the global seminar; and develop ideas with potential to impact today’s society. Participants will be coached through the ideation process with support from the broader Columbia global network to help bring student projects to fruition. 

Students interested in applying to Columbia-sponsored programs abroad should consult with the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement.

Columbia College students who enroll in the Columbia-sponsored programs listed below have the same access to the financial aid they would have if they were enrolled in classes in New York. 

East Asia

Japan: The Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies

The Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies (KCJS) offers an intensive, two-semester academic program primarily for undergraduates who wish to do advanced work in Japanese language and Japanese studies. The program is open to qualified students who have completed two or more years of college-level Japanese at the time of enrollment. A limited number of students may be admitted for single semester study in the fall or spring.

The KCJS curriculum provides intensive Japanese language study and the opportunity to choose from a broad spectrum of social sciences and humanities courses on premodern and contemporary Japan. The program takes advantage of the numerous social and cultural resources of Kyoto by incorporating into the curriculum field trips, guest speakers, and research projects based on local field work.

For program information, students may consult https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/program/kcjs-semester and email uge@columbia.edu. Students are also advised to consult with the director of undergraduate studies in the Department of East Asian Languages and Cultures.

Europe

France: Columbia in Paris

Established in 1966, the Columbia Program in Paris at Reid Hall offers semester, academic-year, and summer study-abroad options that challenge students to step outside the boundaries of a traditional French language program and use French as a means to further their understanding of their own area of study. Students with a good command of the French language refine their speaking and writing skills through intensive language training and by taking selected disciplinary courses taught in French specifically for the program at Reid Hall and in the French university system at partner institutions: Institut d'Etudes Politiques (Sciences Po), University of Paris I (Panthéon Sorbonne), and the University of Paris IV (Sorbonne). Opportunities for participating in directed research are also available. An English-based curriculum is available in the fall term and the summer, while immersive French programs run throughout the year.

For program information, students may consult https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/ and email uge@columbia.edu.

Germany: The Berlin Consortium for German Studies

The Berlin Consortium for German Studies (BCGS) provides students with the opportunity to enroll in courses at the Freie Universität Berlin (FU Berlin) for the fall semester or a full academic year. The program begins with a six-week intensive language practicum which, in conjunction with a month-long homestay, prepares students for study at the FU Berlin. Upon completion of the practicum, students enroll in one course taught by the BCGS directors on a topic such as cultures, politics, history, literature, theater, or cinema; and for at least two, possibly more, FU Berlin courses for which they meet the prerequisites.

The FU Berlin offers a wide range of courses in the humanities, social sciences, and natural sciences. Students majoring in a variety of disciplines may choose from an array of appropriate courses. An English-based curriculum is available in the spring term, while immersive German programs run in the fall, spring, and full academic year.

For program information, students may consult https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/program/bcgs and email uge@columbia.edu. Students are also advised to consult with the director of undergraduate studies in the Department of Germanic Languages.

United Kingdom: Columbia in London Program 

The Columbia in London Program operates under the direction of Columbia's Department of English and Comparative Literature, in partnership with Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), one of the UK's most prestigious academic institutions.

The program's Global Seminar studies major works of English and Anglophone literature from all periods and genres in a London context.  Each fall, the program will be led by one Columbia faculty member whose research directly engages the literary culture of London.  That faculty member will offer a version of the global seminar that will enable participating students to study literary texts in their immediate geographical and cultural settings, transforming their relationship to their objects of study and encouraging them to develop a wider range of reading practices and research methodologies.  In addition to regular class meetings, the Global Seminar will involve regular outings to urban sites, designed to complement and enhance the readings and classroom discussions.  Destinations will include the British Library, the British Museum, the Victoria and Albert Museum, the Tate Museums, the Globe Theater, and a host of other London cultural institutions. 

In addition to the Global Seminar, students will also enroll alongside local students in courses offered by the host institution. QMUL offers programs across a broad range of disciplines, including physical and natural sciences, business and management, engineering, humanities, and social sciences.

For program information, students may consult https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/ and email uge@columbia.edu.

United Kingdom: The Oxford/Cambridge Scholars Program

Columbia students interested in spending one or both semesters of their junior year at Oxford or Cambridge should apply for admission to the Oxford/Cambridge Scholars Program during the  spring of their sophomore year. Application to the program is made through the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement, where a preliminary selection of candidates is made. Designated candidates for admissions then apply to one of the participating colleges of Oxford or Cambridge. Criteria for admission include a very strong academic record at Columbia, as well as commitment to a chosen field of study. 

For program information, students may consult https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/ and email uge@columbia.edu.

Latin America and the Caribbean

Cuba: The Consortium for Advanced Studies in Cuba

The Consortium for Advanced Studies Abroad (CASA) program in Cuba is a collaborative initiative involving eight U.S. universities: Brown, Columbia, Cornell, Dartmouth, Johns Hopkins, Northwestern, University of Pennsylvania, and Vanderbilt University. CASA-Cuba provides students with a unique opportunity to have direct access to Cuba’s leading institution of higher learning, the University of Havana, and to Casa de Las Américas, the Cuban government’s premier research institution on Caribbean and Latin American studies, Cuban culture, and the arts. Comprehensive student services support the academic and social experience. The program runs in both fall and spring semesters.

For program information, students may consult https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/ and email uge@columbia.edu.

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Summer study abroad provides a meaningful complement to the College curriculum and can help students prepare for semester- or year-long overseas programs.

Columbia College students who enroll in the Columbia-sponsored summer programs listed below earn direct credit for their courses. A number of virtual non-credit programs are also available through the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement.

For a full list of summer study abroad opportunities, please visit the Undergraduate Global Engagement website: https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/.

Summer Study Abroad Approval

Students seeking to study abroad during the summer must be approved by the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement.

If students take foreign language courses abroad in non-Columbia programs, credit for those courses will be awarded only under the following conditions:

• Credits for language study at the elementary and intermediate levels are awarded after the student takes a placement exam with the relevant Columbia department or program and shows sufficient proficiency in the language. Credits for more advanced levels of language study are accepted for academic credit upon review by the appropriate language department.
• The only other courses in non-Columbia summer programs abroad that can be taken for credit are courses that have been approved by a Columbia department or program to fulfill a requirement for a major or concentration. These courses must be taken abroad in a foreign language.
• Limited exceptions can be made for awarding credit for summer courses taught in English. College credit may be granted if the course offers a unique experience, such as specialized field-work or research, where the study-abroad site functions as a constituent part of the course. In such cases, the program must be approved by the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement. Departmental approval is required and the course must satisfy major or concentration requirements.

Recent Columbia-Sponsored Summer Programs Abroad

France: Columbia Summer in Paris

The five- or six-week program offers modules at several levels designed to allow students to work together in small classes to integrate language and cultural studies and to progress in French while using Paris as a learning lab for language, culture, and extracurricular activities.

For program information, students may consult https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/ and email uge@columbia.edu.

France: Columbia Summer Core in Paris: Art Humanities and Music Humanities

This six-week program enables students to complete two Core Curriculum courses, Art Humanities and Music Humanities, in Paris. The program emphasizes the musical and visual cultures of Paris. Day trips to important sites in the region, such as Chartres and Giverny, will complement the excursions to monuments and musical performances within Paris.

For program information, students may consult https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/ and email uge@columbia.edu.

France: Columbia Summer Undergraduate Math Research Program in Paris

This four- to six-week program provides for intensive mathematical research with students and faculty from Columbia and the Université Denis Diderot in Paris.

For program information, students may consult https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/ and email uge@columbia.edu.

France: Columbia Summer Practicum: Neuroscience in Paris 

This four- to six-week program gives students the opportunity to acquire first-person knowledge on how the scientific method works, by diving into the field of Human Neuroscience. The program allows students to develop a network of international researchers with whom they will learn to design, conduct, and analyze research studies that draw on current state-of-the-art technological advances in neuroscience

Italy: Columbia Summer in Venice

This six-week program is based at Columbia's Casa Muraro in Venice and uses an interdisciplinary approach to understanding Italian culture and society through study of its language, literature/film, art history and conservation, and economy. Students are given the opportunity to gain a deeper appreciation of the rich Venetian culture, traditions, and history.

For program information, students may consult https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/ and email uge@columbia.edu.

Japan: The Kyoto Consortium for Japanese Studies Program in Modern and Classical Japanese

This six- or eight-week program offers intensive training in modern and classical Japanese for students who have completed at least one year or three years of Japanese, or the equivalent.

For program information, students may consult https://global.undergrad.columbia.edu/ and email uge@columbia.edu.

Exchange Programs

In order to provide the richest and most immersive experience possible to its students, Columbia has established a network of exchange agreements with international institutions. With an exchange agreement, Columbia students may study at a partner institution; in exchange, students from the foreign institution may study at Columbia. At the partner institutions, students enroll in regular courses alongside local students, live in campus housing, have an academic adviser, and have access to all university facilities and resources.

Currently, Columbia has undergraduate exchanges with the following institutions:

• Bocconi University
• Boğaziçi University
• Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• University of Hong Kong

Students who plan to apply to these programs should consult with the Center for Undergraduate Global Engagement.

Credit and Grading

As with other types of study abroad programs, all academic work completed abroad counts toward the Columbia degree, and students may take classes toward the major with the department's approval.

Tuition and Finances

Columbia College students who attend these exchange programs have the same access to financial aid they would have if they were enrolled in classes on Columbia's New York campus. Columbia students pay their usual Columbia tuition and are responsible for non-academic costs abroad.

Students may direct financial aid and study abroad inquiries to the  Financial Aid and Educational Financing; 212-854-3711; ugrad-finaid@columbia.edu.