HLS undergraduate and graduate students can study abroad alongside local students. Gain new experiences, perspectives and friends, all while staying on track for graduation!
Spend a Semester Abroad
Info sessions
Jan 16 at 1pm, GA 1060
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

Study in Barcelona, Spain
Esade Law School Exchange in Global Governance, Politics and Economics
Learn more
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
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.