Semester Abroad

• 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 the Hamilton Lugar School
• 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 a Hamilton Lugar School exchange

Step 2: Apply for the exchange through Hamilton Lugar School. 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 Hamilton Lugar School.