Program Categories

• Descriptions below are only generalizations and individual programs may have slight differences
• Programs categories cover a range of experiences from traditional study abroad to international internships and volunteering abroad
• Read over individual program brochures in Aztecs Abroad for eligibility requirements (class level, GPA, etc) and application deadlines
• "Exchanges" usually refer to SDSU Exchange, ISEP Exchange and CSU International Programs, however these programs do not require an international student to attend SDSU the same exact term you plan to study abroad at their home institution
• All participants will be enrolled in foreign travel insurance regardless of program category.

• Academic Year and Semester programs available
• Enroll in regular courses with locals and international students; integrate into mainstream university life
• Applicants must search for courses at host institution and discuss with their SDSU academic advisors
• High degree of personal independence expected; support provided by international office at host institution
• Pay full-time SDSU tuition and fees while paying room and board at host institution
• Earn SDSU resident credit; federal and state financial aid automatically applicable
• Students must be enrolled at SDSU the semester prior to program start dates
• Backup choices are required, since chances of placement vary each semester.

• Academic year or Semester programs available
• Enroll in regular courses with local and international students; integrate into mainstream university life
• Applicants must search for courses at host institution and discuss with their SDSU academic advisors
• Program structure varies by location; some include intensive pre-session language courses
• Pay full-time SDSU (CSU) tuition and fees while paying room and board at host institution
• Earn SDSU resident credit; federal and state financial aid automatically applicable
• California community college transfer students may participate in this program category their first year as an SDSU student and should therefore plan a year ahead.

• Academic Year, Semester and Summer programs available
• Enroll in regular courses with local and international students; integrate into mainstream university life
• Applicants must search for courses at host institution and discuss with their SDSU academic advisors
• Program structure varies by location; some include intensive pre-session language courses
• Non-Profit network of over 100 international universities worldwide that exchange students
• Students must be enrolled at SDSU the semester prior to program start dates

• Pay tuition and pre-set room and board (housing and meals) fee to SDSU
• Earn SDSU resident credit; federal and state financial aid automatically applicable

• Pay tuition and room and board package price to ISEP (packages vary by program)
• May be affordable option in certain destinations, especially for for out-of-state (non-resident) students or students not receiving financial aid
• Earn transfer credit; only federal (Pell Grant, loans, etc.) financial aid applicable; additional paperwork necessary to release federal aid and scholarships
• Students cannot fulfill Explorations (upper-division) General Education requirements

• ​Short-term programs (1-6 weeks) - Summer and Winter Break options
• Earn SDSU resident credit while taking one or more courses with mainly SDSU students and instructed by an SDSU faculty member
• Courses designed to satisfy both general education and major requirements
• Program fees include tuition, housing, and program activities

• A regular session course with an integrated international experience
• Travel can occur before, during, or after the term in which the course takes place
• Earn SDSU resident credit while participating in an international travel experience

• A non-credit experience related to an academic program or international experience requirement that is organized and or led by an SDSU professor or department
• Examples include group trips for research, fieldwork, conference attendance, and theatrical performances

• SDSU courses that include one or more days of travel to Mexico
• Earn resident credit
• Transborder experiences fall into both the Course-Embedded program and Academic-Related Travel categories

• Semester, Academic Year, and Short-term (Summer, Winter, Spring Break) options
• Advising and application process through program provider organization
• Earn transfer credit, but that credit is still applicable toward SDSU graduation requirements with academic advisor approval
• Students cannot fulfill Explorations (upper-division) General Education requirements
• Dedicated resident director or on-site staff
• Pay tuition and fees directly to program provider; generally more than SDSU cost of attendance
• Only federal financial aid (Pell Grant, federal loans, etc.) applicable
• Organized excursions/field trips and extracurricular activities in host city included

• Semester, Academic Year, and Short-term (Summer, Winter, Spring Break) options
• Advising and application process through host university or institution
• Earn transfer credit, but that credit is still applicable toward SDSU graduation requirements with academic advisor approval
• Students cannot fulfill Explorations (upper-division) General Education requirements
• Pay tuition and fees directly to host university or institution
• Only federal financial aid (Pell Grant, loans, etc) applicable

• Semester and Short-term (Summer, Winter, Spring Break) options
• Often have flexible dates and various locations

• Semester and Short-term (Summer, Winter, Spring Break) options
• Often have flexible dates and various locations 

• Virtual programs bring the world to you. Spend a summer term, winter term or semester virtually exploring the world via exciting global academic experiences or virtual international internships.