HLS undergraduate and graduate students can study abroad alongside local students. Gain new experiences, perspectives and friends, all while staying on track for graduation!
What’s an exchange program?
It’s a semester or year-long study abroad opportunity for HLS students with HLS partner universities.
Benefits of an exchange:
- Take courses at a partner university abroad and earn IU university credit
- Participate in an immersive experience alongside local students, taught by local faculty
- It’s not expensive—you simply continue to pay your IU tuition
Explore our Exchange Programs
![People on a roadway in Barcelona, Spain.](../../../images/exchanges/barcelona.jpg)
Study in Barcelona, Spain
Esade Law School Exchange in Global Governance, Politics and Economics
Learn more![Streets of people in Leiden, Netherlands.](../../../images/exchanges/leiden.jpg)
Study in Leiden or the Hague, The Netherlands
Leiden University Exchange with the Faculty of Law, Economics and Governance and Liberal Arts: Global Challenges
Learn more![A street crowded with people in Tokyo, Japan.](../../../images/exchanges/tokyo.jpg)
Study in Tokyo, Japan
Waseda University Exchange with the Center for International Education
Learn moreApplying for an Exchange Program
- There are limited spots—please be thoughtful in your application
- Take time to draft and revise your application essay in a Word document before submitting it
- Before applying for an exchange program, we strong encourage you to speak with your academic advisor.
In order to be eligible, students must:
- Be pursuing a degree in HLS
- Have completed a minimum of one year at IU Bloomington prior to enrolling abroad
- Have a cumulative GPA of 3.0 or above
- Have a valid passport by the time applications are due to the host institution
Your application will include the following:
- Demographic Information
- 3 short answer questions:
- Explain why you would like to take part in the exchange (consider including: information about your academic studies, what you plan to study abroad, why you would like to study at this particular university, how studying abroad here will impact your future)
- Describe any previous overseas travel experiences you’ve had
- Living in a foreign culture inherently puts you in an unfamiliar situation. Please describe a time when you had to manage uncertainty or a difficult situation in a new environment.
- Faculty reference
There are multiple steps to the application process for an exchange program:
Step 1: Meet with your academic advisor. Discuss the exchange options and how you can stay on track with your degree progress through an HLS exchange
Step 2: Apply for the exchange through HLS. We will review your application. If accepted, we will nominate you for acceptance into the program by the partner university
Step 3: Apply to study at the partner university. While you will remain enrolled at IU, you will apply for admission directly to the partner university. You will follow their instructions.
Step 4: Once admitted to the partner university, you will do several things:
- Find your housing (options vary by institution)
- Select your courses (do this in consultation with your academic advisor)
- Apply for a visa
Step 5: Participate in a pre-departure orientation hosted by HLS.