Yale College
Dean's Office
P.O. Box 208241
New Haven, CT
06520-8241   USA

Study Abroad

"It was a difficult decision to leave Yale for a term to study in South Africa. I had activities that I would have to leave, and friends, and I was very active in my residential college. Well, I went to South Africa, and when I came back I just picked up at Yale where I left off. And I learned more abroad than I ever expected. It transformed me, and I got so much more from Yale when I got back."

"I studied in France in the spring term of my junior year. I am so glad I did that, and I earned Yale course credit for my major, too. My advice: study abroad for a term!"

"Definitely consider studying abroad over the summer. I feel like I'll have the best of both worlds—I'll get to explore a new culture and have experience abroad, but won't feel like I'm missing out on any time at Yale."

If you are thinking of studying abroad, now is the time to look at your options. Information, including a listing of approved programs, FAQs, and links to useful Web sites, is available at the Web site of the Center for International and Professional Experience. The Center's peer adviser program can put you in touch with students who have recently returned from a study abroad experience. Each residential college has an assigned peer adviser for study abroad.

Useful Information and Links for Study Abroad Opportunities

Each year students participate in the Yale Year or Term Abroad (YTA) program. Sophomores may study abroad in the spring term of sophomore year. Some Yale Summer Session courses are offered abroad. On these programs students earn Yale course credit while studying in countries all over the world.

Students on a year abroad who complete a full program of study for the equivalent of two terms of enrollment at Yale may earn up to nine course credits. Students on a term abroad who complete a full program of study for the equivalent of one term of enrollment at Yale may earn up to four course credits. What the committee considers a full program of study varies from program to program. Students should consult with the Center for International and Professional Experience to ensure that they are enrolled in a full program abroad. (Students participating in a Yale program abroad, such as Yale in London, are still enrolled in Yale College; they are not considered to be on a year or term abroad.)

Keep in mind that course credits earned from study abroad may, with appropriate permissions, be used to satisfy distributional requirements, major requirements, and the 36-course-credit requirement for the bachelor's degree. Petitions for credit toward distributional requirements are made to the director of study abroad; those for credit toward the major go to the relevant DUS.

Grades for courses taken abroad are not included in the calculation of your Yale GPA.

Study abroad information meetings and events are held throughout the year at the office of the Center for International and Professional Experience, 55 Whitney Avenue, third floor. In early fall there is an International Opportunities Fair as well. Whether you choose to study abroad for a term, a year, a summer, or while on a leave of absence, you are encouraged to discuss your plans with the Center's staff.