The University of South Dakota

USD students are able to take advantage of a wide variety of educational opportunities around the world. You may study abroad on USD Direct, Sponsored, or Affiliated program sponsored by another university or study abroad organization, or study at a U.S. or Canadian institution on National Student Exchange. The Global Learning Advisor is available to guide you through the process of selecting a program that will meet your academic and personal goals.

Programs that are approved through Global Learning allow you to earn credits toward your USD degree. Regardless of the type of program, you must complete the steps on the "Getting Started" page. You will remain registered at USD during your study away experience.  

USD Direct Programs:

• View the USD Direct Programs
• USD has formal exchange and partnership agreements with several universities abroad. These Direct Programs allow you to enroll in regular university classes with students from the host country or to enroll in classes designed for international students.
• An advantage of USD Direct Programs is affordability. Several locations offer a "reciprocal exchange" option that allows a limited number of USD students to study at the foreign university for a cost that is comparable to full tuition and fees at USD.
• The program charge is billed to your USD account and typically includes the cost of tuition, fees, and a Global Learning administrative charge. Other costs, such as accommodation, meals, insurance, field trips, etc., might be included in what is billed to your USD account or paid directly to the host university.

USD Sponsored Programs:

• View the USD Sponsored Programs
• On USD Sponsored Programs, you will be able to utilize your USD institutional scholarships - specifically Mickelson, Presidential Alumni, and Coyote Commitment - toward the cost of the study abroad experience in addition to Federal Financial Aid.
• Sponsored Programs are offered by study abroad organizations that have an official partnership agreement with USD. These programs have been chosen for their commitment to academic quality, opportunities for cultural integration, and reputation for their close attention to student health and safety abroad.
• These programs frequently include tuition, accommodation, meals, dedicated on-site staff, in-country orientations, airport pick-up in the host country, insurance, overnight excursions, and local field trips as part of a comprehensive program package. Compare costs carefully because not all programs include the same features. Sponsored programs may offer specific scholarships or grants for USD students.
• All Sponsored Programs costs are paid directly to the Program Provider. In addition, you must submit with your Global Learning application the Global Learning administrative charge. 

USD Faculty-Led Programs (formerly Study-Tours):

• View the USD Faculty-Led Programs
• Through Global Learning and the Division of Continuing & Distance Education, many USD faculty members and academic departments organize credit-bearing short-term study abroad programs for students. Most Faculty-Led Programs are offered during the summer sessions, while some are offered during the spring semester with travel occurring over the spring break. All Faculty-Led Programs are led by USD faculty and staff members.
• These programs are treated as regular USD classes, and so are eligible for all regular scholarships and financial aid.

USD Affiliate Programs:    

• View the USD Affiliate Programs
• If you can't find a program among the USD Direct, USD Sponsored, or USD Faculty-Led Programs that suits your academic and personal goals, you can also select from a variety of USD Affiliate Programs.
• Affiliate Programs are offered by study abroad organizations and companies that have an official agreement with USD. Affiliates have been chosen for their commitment to academic quality, opportunities for cultural integration, and reputation for their close attention to student health and safety abroad.
• Students may use Federal Financial Aid on USD Affiliate Programs, but most are not eligible for institutional scholarships. Many Affiliates offer special scholarships or discounts for USD students.

National Student Exchange

• View the National Student Exchange Programs
• The National Student Exchange (NSE) is a consortium of over 250 colleges and universities across the U.S., Puerto Rico, Guam, Virgin Islands, and Canada. Through NSE, you can exchange to another college or university for a semester or year away. Similar to study abroad, students get a chance to study at another campus and return to USD greatly enriched by the experience.
• You can use NSE as an opportunity to study at potential graduate schools, look for jobs or internships, network with other professors in your field, or study courses not regularly offered at USD.
• NSE member universities also allow students to study abroad through their programs. This study abroad option is often more affordable than applying through a study abroad program provider.
• You can study away on either Plan A where you pay in-state tuition and fees to your host university while receiving all financial aid and scholarships through the host school, or else Plan B, where you pay your regular tuition and fees to USD and are able to use all of your regular USD scholarships and financial aid.

Internships & Volunteer Opportunities:

• View the Internships section
• There are many internship and volunteer opportunities that offer programs to travel abroad, secure competitive internships, and volunteer in a variety of capacities. Programs are available in a wide variety of disciplines and locations. If you would like help investigating programs, please contact the Global Learning Advisor.
• Many programs offer students the option to customize their internship or volunteer work in terms of duration and time of year, as well as the opportunity to combine an internship/volunteer experience with a regular study abroad program.

Unaffiliated Programs:

• You should exercise caution when choosing a study away program. There are literally hundreds of study away program providers that are unaffiliated with USD. These organizations vary widely in reputation, accreditation and safety. The best way to find the program that will work for you is to meet with the Coordinator for Global Learning who can help you choose from one of the USD Sponsored or Affiliated programs.
• You may consider a study away program through another school or program provider; however, there is no guarantee of financial aid or credit transferability. Regardless of the type of program you choose, you must complete the "Getting Started" steps and be accepted for participation by the Coordinator for Global Learning.