Global Engagement

UF in England: History of Statistics

Participating in a global experience can help you acquire skills and perspectives that will help you grow as an individual and future professional. Step outside of your comfort zone and learn about other cultures, explore new ideas, and experience a different way of thinking. CLAS offers a wide variety of programs including internship and research opportunities. Participating in a study abroad or exchange program at any time during your undergraduate years at UF can also be used as a component of applying for the CLAS Dean’s Medal, to which you can apply in your last semester.

We also have extensive information on International Careers and Graduate Study Abroad, too!

The Gator Nation is everywhere. You could go anywhere too!

Questions? Book an appointment for a Global Engagement Consultation below or contact Christine Richmond at crichmond@advising.ufl.edu.

Book an Appointment

Study Abroad

Research Abroad

When choosing a study abroad program, think about the type of experience you’d like to have. Do you want to go for a few weeks or a whole year? Do you want to go with a group or by yourself? What kind of classes do you want to choose from? Take a look at the program options below to see what type of program best fits your needs and review the Getting Started information on the International Center’s website.

Exchange Programs
  • Travel independently
  • Go for a semester or academic year
  • Taught by faculty of host institution
  • Pay UF tuition rates
  • Knowledge of foreign language may be required

Explore Beyond120 Exchange Programs
Search All CLAS Exchange Programs
Exchange Program Course Equivalencies

UF Programs
  • Usually offered in summer
  • UF faculty accompanies a group of students
  • More limited choice of courses
  • Usually focuses on one or two areas of study

Search CLAS Programs
Search All UF Programs

Non-UF Programs
  • Grades don’t go into UF GPA
  • Wide variety of programs to choose from
  • Choose from Summer, Fall, or Spring

Search Non-UF Programs

Intern Abroad

Intern Abroad

Completing an internship abroad can be a great way to gain both intercultural competence and get experience in your field. There are multiple ways you can experience work abroad.

CLAS Programs

CLAS offers some exciting internship options to choose from on our sponsored programs. Most are faculty-led and may include other courses in addition to your internship.

Non-UF Internship Providers

In addition to UF programs, you also have the option of using a study abroad or internship provider that offers help with finding placements, arranging housing, securing visas, and vetting employers. While these programs can cost more, they come with the peace of mind of having support through the entire process. Be sure to get approval through UF’s International Center if you choose this option for credit.

Program examples*:

  • Barcelona SAE – offers internships in Barcelona with a wide variety of placements for CLAS students. Study and intern options also available.
  • BUNAC – offers different levels of support for a lower cost. They can help you find a placement in Britain, Australia, New Zealand and Ireland, or simply help with the visa process.
  • CEA Abroad -offers internships around the world in Europe, South America, China, and Australia.
  • CIS Abroad – offers internships around the world with a variety of placement options.
  • CRCC Asia – offers internships throughout Asia.
  • ISA – offers internships around the world or intern and study options.
  • SIT– offers internships around the globe focusing on critical global issues of the day within specific cultural and geographical contexts.

*UF does not endorse any particular third-party programs, but you can speak with a study abroad advisor for advice in participating and for UF approval if you are earning credit.

Direct Internships

If you choose to get an internship on your own, be sure to do plenty of research before you go. You’ll be responsible for finding your own placement, abiding by all laws and work permit visa requirements, and securing housing and insurance. There are different types of internships available including in government, corporations, NGO’s, and education.

Examples: See the International Internships section of our Internship page.

It can take time and effort to secure a placement, but other helpful resources include connecting with UF faculty who may have international connections in your area of study or CLAS Centers that may have connections to specific regions.

Earning Credit

Some international internships have credit-bearing internship courses built into the program (and so they are part of the program fee). Some of these programs offer an optional internship course (for an additional cost). And others do not offer courses for credit.

For programs where the internship course is optional or not offered, you may register for UF credits through IDS4940: International Internship.

If interested in pursuing internship credit through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please review the information on our Coursework page.

If earning credit for an international internship (in-person or virtual), through UF or a non-UF program, you must get approval through the International Center. You can speak to the study abroad advisor for the region your internship will be located in for more information.

Making the Most of Your Internship
  • Research before you go. Make sure you compare what programs include even speak with past participants.
  • Set goals. Before you select a program, you should identify what you want to learn and accomplish while you’re abroad.
  • Know expectations. Be sure you’re clear on what’s expected of you in the position. Work culture is different abroad, so also try to learn about some of those differences before you go.
  • During and after your internship, think about the skills and knowledge you’ve gained. Keep a journal and write about your experiences. It will help later in preparing for job interviews and revising your resume.

When you return, schedule a global engagement consultation if you’d like to discuss how to incorporate you experience abroad into your job search.

Resources
  • Foreign Embassy listings– Undertaking any type of work abroad, often including unpaid volunteering or research, usually requires a visa. You should check with the foreign embassy to find out what’s required.
  • GoinGlobal– You can access this database of international opportunities through your Gator Careerlink account
  • GoAbroad.com

Research Abroad

Research abroad can open doors to unique research sites, international collaboration, and awareness of how a discipline is studied in another country. You can participate in research abroad in a variety of ways including UF-Sponsored study abroad programs that include a research component, non-UF programs through other universities or study abroad providers, or independently with the help of a UF faculty mentor. Many programs offer funding making them an affordable option. Below you’ll find a list of just some of the programs available to conduct research abroad.

CLAS & UF Programs
Non-UF Programs
Making the Most of Research Abroad
  • Research before you go. Each country has its own cultural values. It’s crucial to have some understanding of your research in the local context before you go including being familiar with local customs, culture and religious norms. Is the typical process of signing an informed consent document culturally acceptable for your study? How should recruitment be done? Are there other cultural barriers you might encounter once you arrive?
  • Learn the Language. Even if the research language is English, if the country you are going to speaks another language, try to learn some basics or brush up your skills before you go.
  • Network. While you’re abroad, nurture the relationships with your mentors and fellow students. The broader your network, the more opportunities you may have in the future.
  • Know expectations. Be sure you’re clear on what’s expected of you in the position. There may be differences in conducting research or workplace values in other countries, so try to learn about some of those differences before you go.
  • During and after your research, think about the skills and knowledge you’ve gained. Keep a journal and write about your experiences. It will help later in preparing for job or graduate school interviews and revising your resume.
Earning Credit

Some international research programs have credit-bearing research courses built into the program (and so they are part of the program fee). For programs where transfer credit is not offered or if you are doing independent research with a UF faculty member, it may be possible to register for UF credits through an academic department. Contact the undergraduate coordinator of your department to see if this is possible. You can also contact Jacob Watson at jacobwatson@advising.ufl.edu for more information if department credit is not available.

If you are earning credit for research abroad, you must get approval through the International Center. You can speak to the study abroad advisor for the region your research will be located in for more information.

Research Approval and Regulation

If you are conducting independent research using human subjects, remember, just because you are conducting research abroad does not mean you don’t need appropriate approvals. In addition to needing IRB approval you will also need approval from review or ethics boards in the country you are going to. We strongly suggest avoiding research abroad with human subjects and you should always work closely with the UF IRB office and a faculty member experienced in conducting this type of research abroad if you choose to. There may be additional rules and regulations to comply with, such as those pertaining to the exportation of identifiable data.

Resources

Other Global Experiences

Research Abroad

In addition to traditional study abroad programs, CLAS offers ways to get valuable work, research, and volunteer experience abroad. Why not build your resume and learn about a new culture at the same time?

We also have extensive information on International Careers and Graduate Study Abroad, too!

Global Service Learning

Service learning is a form of experiential education that combines academic learning with service to community members and organizations. This type of civic engagement allows students to work with others to address human needs in areas such as sustainability, education, health, and social justice, among others. These opportunities allow students to engage with local residents in a meaningful way and have a positive impact on the host community.

UF-Sponsored Programs

CLAS offers a number of UF-sponsored programs that support service-learning opportunities:

Other UF-sponsored service-learning programs that accept CLAS students include:

Virtual Opportunities

Some international internships have credit-bearing internship courses built into the program (and so they are part of the program fee). Some of these programs offer an optional internship course (for an additional cost). And others do not offer courses for credit.

For programs where the internship course is optional or not offered, you may register for UF credits through IDS4940: International Internship.

If interested in pursuing internship credit through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please review the information on our Coursework page.

List of Remote International Internship Programs

FAQs

How do I benefit from doing a remote international internship? You can acquire experience in your chosen field, develop intercultural communication skills, perform meaningful work, and enhance your resume. Remote international internships are also more affordable since there is no travel involved For this same reason, they are also better for the environment.

How do I find out more information about a remote international internship? What do I need to do to apply? Each of these programs is offered by an outside provide that is unaffiliated with UF. To learn more information and to apply, you will need to communicate directly with the provider.

What does the program fee entail? The program fees between the different programs vary widely, and each program’s fee will cover different things. (Another reason to read the descriptions carefully.) In general, however, the program fees cover a range of costs. The organizations arrange your placement for you, and that service is included in the fee. There will be a variety of resources devoted to professional development. These might include (depending on the organization) resume and interview preparation, pre-program mentoring, career coaching, and post-program seminars. Some organizations include intercultural training, also. And some programs have built-in coursework that is required.

How many hours will I be working? Each program is different, but generally, the hours per week range from 20-40, depending on what you want. The hours would generally be flexible, though you would probably be required to attend weekly online meetings with a supervisor at a time that works for the home country’s time zone.

I’m graduating this semester. Can I still participate? Many of these opportunities do welcome recent graduates.

Are these remote international internships available only for the summer? Some have announced programming only for the summer. Others have already announced programs for the fall. As the Covid-19 pandemic continues to limit travel opportunities, it is very likely that more remote internships will continue to be available beyond the summer. Indeed, some programs offer remote internships year-round.

What will I miss out on by taking a remote internship? Nothing can replace the in-person experience of travel. The sights and smells, the museums and markets, the mountains and beaches and cities – you will miss out on all of that. But the virtual connections you make as part of your work can still foster important cross-cultural skills. And your remote internship might also lay the foundation for future travel, study, or work in your host country, allowing you to arrive prepared, confident, and with a network of professional and personal contacts.

Earning Credit

Some international internships have credit-bearing internship courses built into the program (and so they are part of the program fee). Some of these programs offer an optional internship course (for an additional cost). And others do not offer courses for credit.

For programs where the internship course is optional or not offered, you may register for UF credits through IDS4940: International Internship.

If interested in pursuing internship credit through the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences, please review the information on our Coursework page.

Resources

In addition to scheduling a global engagement consultation, you can also speak with study abroad advisors, program directors, or explore other UF and international opportunities below.

UF International Center
International Scholars Program

Fund Your Experience

Students Abroad

Study abroad is a big investment. We know some students may not think they’re financially able to participate, but there are many scholarships and aid available to students that can make your dreams of going abroad a reality. Be sure to speak to a financial aid advisor about how you can apply financial aid, Bright Futures, and Florida pre-paid to your study abroad program fees.

CLAS Scholarships
Language Scholarships (Non-UF)
Programs with Funding
Scholarship resources for students traditionally under-represented in study abroad including students of color, first-generation, transfer students, and students with disabilities

Foreign Government Scholarships
Other Scholarships for Study Abroad
U.S. Government Scholarships and Programs
More Financial Information