Programs

Study Abroad Information

The Judy Genshaft Honors College strives to make study abroad accessible to as many students as possible. Honors abroad trips have funding opportunities, flexible time commitments and course options, various experiential learning opportunities, and Honors community support abroad. Students who plan ahead with their advisor can make study abroad work for them.

Judy Genshaft Honors College student studies on the lawn at the University of Exeter

WHY STUDY ABROAD

One of the pillars of experiential learning at the Judy Genshaft Honors College is global experience. Global experiences allow students to step back and see a broader picture of how their identity and culture interacts with others, including their own values, beliefs, and biases. Through study abroad, students get to not only observe other cultures, but interact with them through academic or service-oriented experiences.  

WHEN TO STUDY ABROAD

The best time to study abroad is the time a student and their advisor decide on. Every student’s journey is different, although most students study abroad in their sophomore or junior year. 

WHEN TO START PLANNING

For Spring and Summer Honors programs, applications are typically due the Fall semester before travel. Students who start planning early with an Honors advisor – preferably in freshman year – will find it easier to fit their study abroad experience into their degree program. Schedule an appointment to talk to an advisor today! 

STUDYING ABROAD FULFILLS AN HONORS REQUIREMENT

Studying abroad counts as a Global Experience to satisfy one Honors Experiential Learning Requirement. Browse other global experiences or ways to satisfy Honors Experiential Learning Requirements on the Experiential Learning Requirements page. 

HOW MANY STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS TO APPLY TO

Some programs are more competitive than others, so it is advised that students apply to a couple programs to have a higher chance of being accepted.

Judy Genshaft Honors College students participate in a clinical observation in Florence

FINDING THE RIGHT PROGRAM

The Judy Genshaft Honors College has a host of study abroad programs, which can fit into student interests in a number of ways. The best way to see which program is the best fit is to read through available programs and talk to your Honors advisor.  

FALL HONORS STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS

Most study abroad programs run in the Spring/Summer, but the Dominican Republic Beyond the Classroom class takes place in the Fall semester, and travel follows it in early-to-mid December.

NON-HONORS STUDY ABROAD OPPORTUNITIES

Honors students can study abroad through the Judy Genshaft Honors College or USF’s Education Abroad Office. They are strongly encouraged to study abroad through an Honors international program because Honors international programs focus on interdisciplinary and experiential learning and have additional funding opportunities.

HONORS STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS 

Honors students in good Honors academic standing who have not studied abroad before may be eligible for a travel scholarship from the Judy Genshaft Honors College. Scholarships are awarded once students are fully committed to participating in an Honors-sponsored study abroad program. Scholarships are distributed in the term that the program is facilitated and can cover up to half a program’s cost depending on financial need. Students eligible for a Pell Grant are also encouraged to apply for the Gilman Scholarship, which can award up to $5,000 in funding towards a credit-bearing study abroad program.

Qualified incoming students will also be able to apply for the prestigious Genshaft-Greenbaum Global Explorer Scholarship, a merit-based $10,000 award. This invitation-only scholarship is awarded to qualified First-Time-In-College (FTIC) students from all three USF campuses. Genshaft-Greenbaum Global Explorer award recipients are not eligible for other JGHC travel scholarships as they have already received their travel funding. 

If students use their study abroad experience to count toward an Honors co-curricular activity requirement, then they will receive an Honors scholarship once they complete the program and fill out the Honors Experiential Learning Requirement form found on the Honors student portal.  

Judy Genshaft Honors College students participates in undersea research in the Bahamas

STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIP RESOURCES

  • USF’s Education Abroad Office provides opportunities for students to apply for scholarships.
  • The Office of National Scholars has resources to help students apply for national or competitive scholarships, such as the Gilman, a study abroad scholarship for students who receive a Pell Grant.  
  • Additionally, study abroad scholarships are available online, such as the University of Minnesota’s Learning Abroad Scholarship Database. Please note that scholarship deadlines may vary and students may need to commit to a program before they know if they have received a scholarship.

Interested in studying abroad? Click here to view current and upcoming programs.