Study Abroad
Upcoming Events
Join our Info Sessions to learn more about our programs or our partners.
Info Sessions
Semester Away Info Session
Are you thinking about studying abroad during the fall 2025 term? Application deadline for semester-away programs for fall 2025 is February 15, 2025.
If you missed the info session held on December 16, 2024, please view the recording below. Study Abroad and the Dean of Undergraduate Studies facilitate an information session to learn more about the application process, deadlines, and updates.
Travel. Learn. Grow.
SAIC is a community of explorers, learning to live and work meaningfully in a complex, yet connected world. The Study Abroad office enhances this mission by providing advising, advocacy, and resources in support of international education programs and objectives.
As a member of NAFSA, we believe that international education and exchange are fundamental to:
- Establishing mutual understanding among nations
- Preparing the next generation with vital cross-cultural and global skills
- Creating the conditions for a more peaceful world
Our office specializes in providing students with opportunities to participate in short-term and semester-long education abroad programs. Advisors work closely with faculty members to offer an exciting array of faculty-led study trips during the winter and summer interims and to advise students who apply for semester-long study abroad. We look forward to being a part of your journey.
SAIC is proud to be ranked by the Institute of International Education among the top four specialized schools in the United States in number of students participating in study abroad.
Program Updates
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Semester-Long Exchange application deadlines
Fall 2024: February 15, 2024
Spring 2025: September 15, 2024
Note: Application process has been changed to fully online.
All application materials will now need to be uploaded via Slideroom platform. Applications for fall 2024 can be accessed following this link.
Letters of recommendation from SAIC faculty will have to be submitted via email to studyabroad@saic.edu.
Application deadline for the fall 2024 term is February 15, 2024.
An information session for the fall 2024 semester-long exchange was hosted on Friday, December 8, 2023. You can access the session’s recording via this link.
These programs are open to undergraduate students who have completed 30 credits. Taking a semester away through one of SAIC’s official exchange programs is one option to fulfill the six credit off-campus study requirement. During the program, students are enrolled at SAIC and financial aid is available. You can access the application details here. -
We will be offering a few study abroad trips in summer 2024! Information is being updated. Once details are available, you will be able to learn more under Faculty-Led Study Trips Tab.
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SAIC student safety and well-being is always the highest priority when evaluating our programs around the world. Staff continue to monitor alerts from the Department of State and other security information providers to determine any safety risks associated with the locations of our programs or proposed programs abroad. SAIC will reach out directly to program participants with guidance and take all reasonable actions to manage risks and respond to emergencies.
Meet with Us
Virtual Walk-Ins
Virtual walk-in hours are available every Monday from 11:15 a.m. to 12:15 p.m. CT. You can join via Zoom by clicking the link below. Email studyabroad@saic.edu with any questions. Please allow one to three business days for a response.
Study Abroad Staff
Victoria McAllister, Director of Study Abroad
Victoria McAllister joined SAIC in December of 2016. Prior to moving into managing Study Abroad office, she was part of the International Student Affairs team working to support SAIC's international students.
Born and raised in the industrial Urals region of Russia, she worked in the higher education field since 2009. After receiving both her Bachelor's and Master's degrees in North-American studies and Spanish language from Ural Federal University, she continued on to work there as a Spanish and English language instructor. At the same time, Victoria has been working as a freelance interpreter for various local organizations including international adoption agencies and Yekaterinburg Museum of Fine Arts.
In her free time, Victoria loves to travel the world and the USA (having been to over 20 countries so far) and to explore, walk, bike, or kayak through the Chicagoland region with her husband and son.
Alicia Ortiz, Associate Director of Study Abroad and International Student Affairs
Alicia Ortiz is an education-abroad professional whose passion for travel and mentorship has defined her career. Alicia holds a Master of Science in International Public Service from DePaul University and a Bachelor of Arts in Anthropology and Spanish from the University of Pittsburgh. Inspired by her own transformative experiences abroad, she recognized the impact of travel on personal growth and global understanding. This led her to pursue a career dedicated to empowering others through study abroad. Before her time at SAIC, Alicia worked in Study Abroad at DePaul University and was a group leader in Spain for The Experiment in International Living. Some of her favorite international experiences include studying abroad in Seville, Spain, and going on a safari in Tanzania. Alicia was born and raised in Chicago. In her free time, when she’s not planning her next trip, she’s chasing after her two kids.
Study Abroad Students Find Global Inspiration
Artists are inspired by the world around them, and study abroad opportunities at SAIC provide students with global inspiration. From personal studio spaces to world-renowned museum access to making new friends around the world, students Maisie Malcolm Corl and Sharon Zhang reflect on how their experiences in Glasgow, Scotland, and Paris, France, have influenced their art.
Image Courtesy of Maisie Malcolm Corl
Finding Inspiration Worldwide
Artists are inspired by the world around them, and study abroad opportunities at SAIC provide students with global inspiration. From personal studio spaces to world-renowned museum access to making new friends around the world, students Maisie Malcolm Corl and Sharon Zhang reflect on how their experiences in Glasgow, Scotland, and Paris, France, have influenced their art.
Maisie's Story
Maisie's time at the Glasgow School of Art offered her a private studio space for the first time, allowing her to embrace experimentation and patience in her work. A significant highlight was organizing a group exhibition, which taught her the importance of community and initiative.
Sharon's Story
Sharon's study abroad experience at Beaux-Arts de Paris enriched her belief in the integration of creativity and scholarly practices. The benefits of a European Union student ID allowed her to immerse herself in world-class art, inspiring her during creative blocks.
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Hours
Monday–Friday, 8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.