Steps to Study Abroad

The first step is to determine whether or not study abroad is the appropriate experience for you. Once you have decided to study abroad, please follow the steps below.

Starting the process

First/Second Year: 

• Create a four year academic plan assuming that you will not be able to take core requirements while studying abroad.
• Discuss the academic plan with your faculty advisor or departmental advisor to ensure the following:
  • You will not fall behind on your academic progress.
  • Required courses missed while abroad can be made up in an alternate semester.
  • You will not need a semester in which you are forced to overload your courses due to limited credit units (CUs) abroad.
  • You will graduate within 8 semesters.
• Meet with the Penn Engineering study abroad advisor to narrow down the choices for destinations.

Second/Third Year:

• Attend a study abroad advising session (https://global.upenn.edu/pennabroad/studyabroad/application-process/) to open an application.
• Make an appointment to meet with the Penn Engineering study abroad advisor to receive advisor sign off in Passport. 
• Follow all necessary steps as outlined by Penn Abroad to complete the application process.

When you have decided on a location

We expect that you make good academic progress while abroad. However, it is also important to note that you may not be able to take specific courses while you are abroad. Additionally, each abroad institution may have different rules on course selection and enrollment. Course selection while abroad is an iterative process to ensure you meet the requirements for both Penn and the abroad institution.

• Just like at Penn, not all courses are offered every semester or every year. Some courses may no longer be available or may have restrictions. Try to be as flexible as possible in terms of course selection while abroad. If you are unable to find a course you need, please discuss your course selection with the Penn Engineering study abroad advisor.
• During the enrollment period for your study abroad program, make an appointment with Penn Engineering study abroad advisor to discuss your course selection. Some courses may be approved by precedent. Other courses may require XCAT approval for a new course (See XCAT section). Please make sure to enter all courses you are taking on XCAT. A few things to keep in mind:
  • We strongly encourage students to take courses that has been approved by precedent.
  • Please limit your course review request to 10 or less (including the courses with set precedents). 
  • If the department that should review your course request is not clear, please discuss your options with the Penn Engineering study abroad advisor.

While you are abroad

• If there are unexpected issues that arise regarding your course selection upon arrival, make an appointment with the Penn Engineering study abroad advisor before the course selection deadline.
• The maximum course units you are permitted to take while abroad is an equivalent Penn course load of 4.5CUs. The only exceptions are:
  • Dual degree students who require at least 46CUs to earn their bachelor’s degrees
  • Abroad institution requires are higher minimum course load

Please note that credit equivalency is not uniform across different institutions. To ensure that you are taking the appropriate number of credits abroad, please make sure to discuss you course selection with the Penn Engineering study abroad advisor.

• Once you have a final roster of courses, complete the Study Abroad Final Course List Form (https://forms.gle/UCc2SpdA89RXCyXZ7). This will help us expedite the review of your courses, where appropriate, and ensure that the appropriate courses are transferred to your Penn transcript upon receipt of your return transcript. Completing this form will also assist with advance registration at Penn for the next semester.
• Students may elect to take courses for a Pass/Fail grade type while studying abroad. Please be aware that courses must comply with all Penn Engineering policies (https://academics.seas.upenn.edu/ugrad/student-handbook/undergraduate-policies/pass-fail/):
  • Students must notify the study abroad advisor by email no later than 5PM ET on the Friday of the 9th week of the abroad program. No late requests will be considered. More information can be found here (https://global.upenn.edu/pennabroad/studyabroad/academic-information/). 
  • A note will be made in XCAT to reflect the decision. 
• Participate in Advance Registration. If your plan is to take 6.0 CUs in the first semester back from studying abroad, the overload request will be reviewed based on the academic record of your last semester at Penn.

After your program ends

• Make sure all courses are approved in XCAT.
• Once your grades are posted to the Penn transcript, double-check to make sure grades and grade type are accurate. Your abroad grades will be calculated into the cumulative GPA at Penn.
• Contact your department to discuss any petitions for action forms (https://academics.seas.upenn.edu/ugrad/student-handbook/academic-policies/petition-for-action/) you must submit to ensure that courses taken abroad are slotted in appropriately.
  • If any/all your courses are numbered 2980, you will be required to submit a core sub request for each course.