FAQ

Getting Started

What type of study abroad is approved through this office?

We offer year-round, international credit-bearing programming for undergraduates with options for the Academic Year, Fall, Spring, and Summer terms. There are a variety of different program styles available such as exchanges, direct enrollments, and third-party program providers.

Short-term Rice faculty-led summer programming such as Rice in Country, iSeed, and Rice Global Paris Center are not through our office. Please reach out to the specific department to learn more about them.

How do I find a program that fits my interests?

You can review approved programs here. Rice students have the opportunity to pursue high-quality, rigorous programs throughout the world. These opportunities encompass every academic major and field of interest here at Rice, so be sure to search through the list thoroughly to find the best match for you. Special consideration should be taken for your academic goals as well as graduation requirements.

Check out our Study Abroad Library for great resources to use in your search!

Am I eligible to study abroad?

To be eligible to study abroad, you must be an undergraduate student with a cumulative GPA of at least 3.0. You must also have completed freshman year and be in good academic standing and judicial standing with Rice University.

Students considering studying abroad during senior year, especially during the last term, should speak with an advisor as soon as possible. More information can be found here.

Do I need to speak a foreign language to study abroad?

No! We offer many programs in non-English-speaking countries that do not require any foreign language proficiency to participate. Though, our office does encourage students to engage in language learning for a more culturally immersive experience. Some programs may focus on language study, so always check to see if the program has language prerequisites.

When should I study abroad?

The earliest a student is allowed to participate in a study abroad program is the summer after Freshman year. If you are a transfer student, you must have completed at least 1 semester at Rice before you are eligible to apply.

Studying abroad is a very individualized experience, which means that the best time to study abroad depends on your academic plan. It is most common for students to study abroad in their Sophomore or Junior year. Be sure to check the eligibility requirements specific to the program you are considering. Also, you should speak with your major advisor to see which term may work best for you.

Students considering studying abroad during their Senior year, especially during their last term, should speak with a study abroad advisor as soon as possible.

Do I need a passport to participate in a study abroad program?

Yes, you must have a passport in order to participate in a study abroad program. If you don't already have a valid passport, apply for one immediately. If you do own a passport, check its expiration date; many countries require that it remain valid for at least six months after your return date to the U.S. More information can be found here.

How do I prepare for an appointment?

In order to be fully prepared, it is recommended that students attend a Study Abroad 101 session first before requesting personalized advising. These info sessions will cover the basics of studying abroad, such as helpful recourses, the application process, and program types. Check Owlnest to see when our next session will be.

Once you have acquainted yourself with the basics, think about your study abroad goals academically and career-wise. Then you can proceed with requesting an advising appointment focusing on your specific academic goals. When you are ready to take that next step, you can schedule an appointment with a study abroad advisor here.

Application

How do I apply for a study abroad program?

The application process is a two-step approach. Students are required to submit an application to BOTH the host university/program provider as well as our office. *Note: this means that in total, there are TWO applications you must submit: one to Rice University Study Abroad and a separate one to the host university/program*

Please review our application process and application materials pages for more information. You can also watch a recorded Application Workshop here.

Also, keep in mind you will be responsible for all requirements for your host university/program application, including items such as official transcripts.

Is there a deadline for submitting an application?

Yes, there are deadlines for submitting a study abroad application. For the Rice Study Abroad application, we have 2 deadlines: a Priority Deadline and a Final Deadline. If you would like to be considered for a scholarship through the Office of Study Abroad, then you must complete the application by the Priority Deadline. No applications can be submitted after the final deadline.

Take careful note of individual program deadlines, as they may fall earlier than the October and March deadlines set by Rice Study Abroad (with some as early as a full calendar year before the program begins). If a program deadline falls before the Rice deadline, both the program's and the Rice Study Abroad application must be submitted by that program's deadline.

Note: Study Abroad Advisors can only complete program approval forms for students applying through our office who have completed all components of the host university/program application and received approval upon review of their completed Rice Study Abroad application materials. Keep in mind advisors need time prior to your final deadline to approve (particularly if your deadline falls earlier than the Rice final deadlines, but also if your deadline falls around or right after our final deadline) so please allow at least a week or two for review. Speak to your advisor if you have any questions about this. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they submit their application in a timely manner, at least a week ahead; otherwise, an approval cannot be given for their participation.

What is Home School Authorization or Advisor Approval and how do I get it?

This is a form of authentication signifying that you are affiliated with Rice University as a full-time, actively enrolled student. Most programs require this form of approval in order to consider you an eligible applicant.

No form of approval can be given until all components of both applications (Rice Study Abroad and that of your chosen program) have been submitted, and your Study Abroad Advisor must approve your Rice application first. This means that you will need to complete all steps of the Rice application before the advisor approval can be given. To allow time for advisors to complete the review process prior to submitting an authorization or approval to your program, you must complete all of these materials no later than one week prior to your program deadline if this is the case. Applications are reviewed in the order they are received and the review process takes time to complete. If any component is completed incorrectly, time needs to be allowed for students to update forms. Keep in mind, among other tasks and responsibilities, advisors may have many applications to review at any one time. Thus, if you do not submit a week early, your advisor cannot complete an approval on time.

Be mindful that the review process may take some time, so it is important that you do not wait until the last minute to submit your application. If you need an approval completed for your program, you must submit at least a week prior to your program deadline.

Speak to your advisor if you have any questions about this. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure they submit their application in a timely manner; otherwise, an approval cannot be given for their participation.

I submitted my Rice application; when will I hear back?

Please allow for at least one week for the review process. If your program requires approval from Rice University (exchange nomination, Advisor Approval, or Home School Authorization), this can only be provided after careful review of your Rice application. The closer it is to the deadlines, the more likely it is that your advisor will be dealing with a larger volume of applications, which could affect the turnaround time. It is always recommended to submit your application as early as possible to ensure that your advisor has ample time for the review process.

Credits & Transcripts

Can I get Rice academic credit from my program?

Yes! If you meet the minimum requirements, then your coursework can return to Rice as transfer credit. Read more about credits and transcripts here.

How many credits do you take while studying abroad?

Students must remain within active student status while abroad. Students must be enrolled in and receive credit for at least 12 credit hours per semester abroad (usually 6 for the Summer term). The same credit rules apply as if you were attending a semester here at Rice.

Letter grades for coursework completed and successfully transferred to Rice will not appear on your transcript, nor will they affect your cumulative GPA at Rice. However, be aware that any future applications/employers that request all official transcripts will be able to see your letter grades.

Can I take a course on a pass/fail basis?

No. All courses overseas are to be taken for a letter grade (or equivalent). Students will not receive transfer credit for courses taken on a pass/fail basis. Students must earn a letter grade of a C- or higher in a course to receive transfer credit. Some departments require a higher grade for approved credit, so be sure to check with the Transfer Credit Advisor.

What is a "School of Record (SOR)" transcript, and do I need one?

A "School of Record" is an accredited U.S. university that a program provider has a partnership with. This university vouches for the academic rigor of the program and issues official transcripts for the study abroad program. The Rice Registrar’s Office requires that students obtain a School of Record (SOR) transcript in order for their coursework to be considered. A provider grade report or unofficial transcript will not suffice for credit transfer.

Where do I send my transcripts from abroad?

Transcripts must be sent directly to Rice Study Abroad, NOT to the Registrar’s Office. Rice Study Abroad sends the transcript to the Registrar after performing initial processing. Transcripts are not always automatically sent by the host institution/program, so you should plan to discuss transcript arrangements with your program. You may also want to obtain personal copies of your transcript, such as for use with graduate/professional school applications. Obtaining official copies may be more difficult after the program's conclusion. Ensure that your program mails your official study abroad transcript to:

Rice University Study Abroad Office
MS 539, Ley Student Center, Suite #132
6100 Main Street
Houston TX, 77005
USA

Who can provide me with approval for Rice equivalent and/or elective credit?

Only departmental Transfer Credit Advisors can provide approval for their own departmental credit. Follow the Transfer Credit Pre-Approval Process. Individual departments make the final decision as to whether courses are appropriate for transfer to Rice, as determined by departmental transfer credit advisors. Students who wish to use courses to satisfy requirements in their major will need to meet with these advisors to evaluate potential transfer credit for each course taken abroad and transferred back as credit into their major. You can find the list of advisors here.

Financing

What is the cost of attending a study abroad program?

The program/host university will determine how much the cost of attendance (COA) will be. Living costs abroad may be more or less expensive than those while at Rice, so the cost will vary based on the type of academic program, location(s), length of program, and other factors. Most programs have a cost breakdown on their website that you can use to get a general idea of what the COA will be. Read more about Budgeting Basics here.

Am I still eligible for financial aid while studying abroad?

If you qualify for financial aid (federal aid, grants, loans, scholarships, etc.) through Rice, your aid is transferable to a Rice-approved study abroad program (semester or full academic year). Unfortunately, financial aid is not available for Summer programs.

Award amounts will be adjusted according to the cost of attendance (COA) at the host university/provider, but only up to the cost of Rice's COA. If the program’s COA is more than Rice’s COA, you'll be responsible for covering the difference. If the program’s COA is less than Rice’s COA, the Office of Financial Aid will modify the need-based section of your financial aid package to reflect your new financial needs.

*Note that financial aid will not disburse funds until one week prior to the start of the Rice semester. Most programs are flexible if payment deadlines fall before the disbursement date, but you must inform your program provider of your situation and when the funds will be available.*

More information can be found here.

Are there scholarships that I can apply for?

Absolutely! The Office of Study Abroad has both need and merit-based scholarships that are available to students applying for programs through our office. These are outside of funding received from the Financial Aid Office.

There are additional scholarships outside of the ones through our office. We encourage students to look into these additional opportunities since no one scholarship will cover the entire cost of a program. Learn more about these opportunities here.

*Note: If you are participating in a Rice short-term faculty-led program, such as such as Rice in Country, iSeed, and Rice Global Paris Center, etc., you are not eligible for these scholarships. You can reach out to the department or faculty running your program to inquire about funding.*

Policies & Procedures

Can I study abroad anywhere in the world?

We offer programs on all 7 continents, even Antarctica! Look through our program search to see all the different locations available. However, if the study abroad location (a country or region within a country) is under a Level 3 or Level 4 travel advisory by the US Department of State or the Centers for Disease Control, students need special approval to participate. You must utilize our program search to identify a program to study abroad through our office.

I’m an international student. Can I study abroad in my home country?

We encourage students to try new experiences, immerse themselves in different cultures, and expand their knowledge base. If you are a citizen of or have spent a prolonged period of your formative years in a country that you are considering for study abroad, then you are ineligible for applying to that program. Going back “home” does not constitute a study abroad program.

Who is responsible for the visa process?

Students are responsible for applying for a visa to enter their host country with the guidance of their host university/program. Visa requirements will vary by country. While our office has general information regarding visas, we are not permitted to advise on this as we do not have adequate qualifications or background and cannot advise individually as each student has different circumstances. Further information about visa requirements can be found on the website of your host country's consulate. Non-U.S. citizens should be aware that visa requirements may be different based on their country of citizenship.

What if my study abroad plans change after I have committed to participate?

Students have up to one month after the Rice Study Abroad application deadline to declare their intention to withdraw without incurring a fee. Students are also subject to the foreign university/program provider's policies and may need to refund certain costs depending on when the decision to withdraw is made. Please read the "Withdrawal Policy" on our policies page for details.

Do I need domestic health insurance while abroad?

We strongly recommend maintaining your domestic health coverage in case you have to return home for health reasons. Also, it allows for a seamless transition when you return to Rice.

Do I need travel insurance while abroad?

Rice University requires that all study abroad students be covered by adequate health insurance while overseas. Most study abroad providers and host institutions require the purchase of a specific health policy for local coverage. In addition, we strongly recommend maintaining your domestic health coverage as well in case you have to return home for health reasons. You should consider adding travel insurance or additional study abroad insurance to complete your insurance coverage. Research your options carefully to make sure the policy you decide on meets your individual needs.

Health & Safety

What steps can I take to prepare physically and mentally for studying abroad?

It is important to take an active role in managing your own health, safety, and security, beginning with preparation prior to the program and continuing through your time abroad. As part of the Pre-Departure process, you will be required to complete a health consultation at the Student Health Center as well as attend a session presented by Wellbeing. The following guidelines are helpful resources to consider for your health and safety while abroad.

What type of health and safety support will be available to me while abroad?

Your host university and/or program provider might offer resources that are available to you during the program duration, such as student health centers, gym memberships, wellbeing offices, etc. Be sure to reach out to your host university/provider program advisor to learn more about what is available to you.

As a Rice student, you automatically have access to an ISOS account, which is an assistance service while traveling abroad. You will still have access to some resources here at Rice, though they will be limited due to licensing restrictions.

What is International SOS (ISOS)?

International SOS (ISOS) is a global assistance service with a network of call centers around the world. Members are encouraged to reach out whenever in need, be it for a medical referral or other assistance needed. They also provide useful country-specific information, including health and safety ratings and country reports. You can sign up to receive important country-specific alerts. International SOS offers the option of customized pre-departure consultation, which is simply a free phone call away. Our membership includes emergency evacuation to the home country if needed.

Do I need to be vaccinated against COVID-19 in order to study abroad?

To mitigate health risks, we strongly recommend that participants be fully vaccinated against COVID-19. You should check and stay up to date with what your program provider's requirements might be.