Growing and Sustaining Education Abroad and Exchanges

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In an increasingly interconnected world, pursuing education abroad has become one of the most transformative experiences available to UK's students. Studying in a foreign country offers far more than academic enrichment—it opens doors to cultural understanding, personal growth and global career opportunities. By stepping outside their comfort zones, UK students gain new perspectives on the world, develop independence and adaptability and build valuable international networks. Education abroad not only enhances academic and professional prospects but also fosters the intercultural competence needed to thrive in today’s global society.

Benefits of Education Abroad

Education abroad programs provide significant advantages not only for students but also for the university’s academic reputation, curricular strength and commitment to student success. Colleges and departments benefit when global learning becomes part of their academic culture and strategic planning.

Education abroad opportunities make majors more attractive to prospective students and families who value global engagement as part of the academic experience.

Highlighting clear abroad pathways during recruitment helps departments stand out and strengthens interest in the major.

Well-developed global programs serve as signature offerings that enhance the visibility and appeal of the college.

Students who participate in education abroad are more likely to stay on track academically, persist in their studies and graduate on time compared to similar students who do not go abroad.

Education abroad is associated with stronger academic outcomes, including higher GPAs at graduation and deeper engagement with coursework.

Education abroad deepens students’ ability to apply what they learn, enhances critical thinking and strengthens the skills that support success across their coursework.

Education abroad enables departments to offer distinctive courses and experiential learning that cannot be replicated on campus.

Global programs can spark new curriculum development, inspire interdisciplinary collaboration and enhance the overall academic identity of the major.

Signature abroad courses or recurring program models strengthen the department’s academic portfolio.

Faculty gain opportunities to expand their teaching, incorporate global perspectives into coursework and build international academic relationships.

Program leadership and curriculum development abroad can support faculty growth in teaching, service and scholarly engagement.

Faculty involvement in education abroad enriches departmental culture and benefits students through globally informed instruction.

Education abroad strengthens goals related to experiential learning, student engagement, career readiness, and inclusive excellence.

Programs can respond to departmental needs by offering specialized coursework, alternative pathways for high-demand classes, or unique experiential opportunities.

International programming supports accreditation narratives, assessment activities, and curriculum reviews by demonstrating high-impact learning.

Employers value the competencies developed through global learning, including communication, adaptability, problem solving, and intercultural awareness.

Students return with concrete examples of independence and initiative that strengthen their resumes, interviews, and professional identity.

Many programs allow students to gain exposure to international industries, research environments, or career pathways that broaden post-graduation opportunities.

Overview of Education Abroad Programs

Colleges and departments at the University of Kentucky have access to different types of education abroad programs. Each offers different academic structures, levels of flexibility, financial models, and opportunities for student engagement. Understanding the strengths and considerations of each program type helps colleges make informed decisions about which options best support their academic goals.

Partner programs are offered through vetted study abroad organizations that work closely with UK to deliver high-quality academic and support experiences for students.

Key Features

Offer a wide range of courses in many locations during fall, spring, and summer.

Can deliver UK syllabi abroad for semester or summer programs, creating discipline-specific offerings.

Able to collaborate with colleges and UK EA to design customized programs for particular majors.

Provide cohort-based programming so groups of UK students can study together without requiring a faculty leader.

Offer strong student services such as airport pick-up, housing assistance, course registration support, on-site staff, cultural activities, and excursions.

Have the capacity to scale programs quickly based on student demand.

Cost Considerations

Semester programs vary in cost. Some are lower than the cost of attendance at UK and some are higher. Students can use financial aid and scholarships for semester programs.

Summer partner programs usually have higher costs and students often have more limited financial aid.

When Partner Programs May Be a Good Fit

Majors that do not have enough enrollment to sustain a faculty-directed program.

Departments seeking discipline-specific coursework abroad without extensive faculty involvement.

Colleges looking for flexible, scalable options that can grow over time.

Exchange programs are built through formal agreements between UK and a partner university abroad.

Key Features

Can be university-wide or college-specific agreements.

Students pay UK tuition and fees and take courses at the partner institution, where they are considered international students and navigate a more independent learning environment.

Participation caps are set each year based on the balance of the exchange agreement.

Faculty or departments interested in initiating an exchange must work with EA and International Partnerships and Research to ensure the prospective partner is appropriate, vetted, and academically aligned.

College Responsibilities

Review course offerings to confirm that the partner institution provides coursework students need.

Determine how courses at the partner institution will equate to major, minor, or college requirements.

Help identify the students who fit well with the exchange structure and support them in the academic planning process.

Provide annual attention to enrollment balance and ongoing relationship management to maintain the health of the exchange.

Cost Considerations

Exchanges are often the most affordable options for students because they use their regular UK scholarships and financial aid.

Most exchanges are offered during the fall, spring, or academic year.

When Exchanges May Be a Good Fit

Majors seeking cost-effective international opportunities aligned with curricular needs.

Departments wanting a long-term academic relationship with a specific university abroad.

Colleges prepared to support the administrative commitments needed to maintain reciprocal enrollment.

Faculty-directed programs allow UK faculty to propose and teach UK courses abroad.

Key Features

UK faculty teach their own UK courses abroad to groups of UK students.

Can be offered through UK or through a consortium such as KIIS or CCSA (regionally-based Faculty-Directed programs).

Typically short-term programs during summer or winter.

College Responsibilities

Strategize about which departments or majors can sustain programs without competing for the same student population.

Evaluate whether faculty interest in a location aligns with student interest and curricular needs.

Colleges should consider the level of promotional support and academic coordination needed for program success.

Ensure that proposed programs align with academic priorities and will meet student demand.

Cost Considerations

Usually higher in cost compared to semester-length programs and often have limited financial aid.

Popular with UK students but not always the most cost-effective option.

When Faculty-Directed Programs May Be a Good Fit

Majors that benefit from field-based learning, site-specific coursework, or faculty expertise.

Departments with faculty who have strong interest in global engagement and the capacity to offer promotional and academic support.

Disciplines where direct faculty oversight is essential to the academic experience.

Considerations for creating a strategy to build and sustain education abroad programs:

Embed EA into college-based orientation and new-student communications: Introduce EA during college welcome sessions and major exploration activities and include EA content in new student materials and communications.

Encourage students to attend a First Steps info session: Promote the First Steps link in advising materials, newsletters, and student communications.

Integrate EA into advising: Encourage advisors to incorporate education abroad into major declaration discussions, degree planning, and career conversations, and ensure they understand recommended timing and program options for their majors.

Encourage faculty to promote EA in the classroom: Ask faculty to highlight the importance of EA and relevant opportunities in gateway courses. Encourage faculty to invite UK EA to give brief presentations.

Use college communication channels to increase visibility: Feature EA opportunities in newsletters, social media, digital screens, and student email updates.

Promote Faculty-Directed opportunities within the college: Highlight opportunities for faculty to develop programs through department meetings and events, faculty newsletters. Focus on programs that align closely with the curriculum and are in locations appealing to students.

Encourage faculty leaders to attend EA Faculty-Directed free events or collaborate with Faculty-directed team to host college/department specific events,

Support faculty in taking advantage of EA’s Faculty Development Grants - Emerging Leader and New Program Development options.

Normalize EA as part of your college’s identity: Celebrate EA participation during college award ceremonies and dean’s communications to signal that global learning is a valued academic experience.

Consider including EA information at college or departmental student events and outreach opportunities.

Education abroad should support each college’s academic goals and strengthen student progress within the major.

Identify priority majors for program development

Work with department leadership to determine which majors or pathways would benefit most from education abroad opportunities based on student interest, curricular fit, or college strategic goals.

Consider how EA can support capacity and curricular needs

Evaluate whether education abroad can help address high-demand courses, provide alternatives for limited research or practicum opportunities, or support departmental goals for experiential learning.

Align global experiences with academic and professional outcomes

Identify the types of opportunities that best enhance skill development and career readiness within each discipline. Examples include study abroad, internships, research programs, or field-based experiences.

Integrate EA into degree planning

Partner with UK EA to ensure that education abroad options are clearly mapped onto four-year plans and major advising materials so students can participate without delaying graduation.

Support course equivalency processes

Encourage DUSes and faculty to approve relevant education abroad courses as major, minor, or college requirement equivalents to facilitate seamless degree completion.

Prioritize programs that align with curricular needs

Encourage departments to partner with EA to identify education abroad programs that offer key courses, field experiences, or competencies required within the major. Programs that directly support degree progress are more likely to attract consistent student interest.

Assess program viability based on student demand

In coordination with EA, review participation trends, advising insights, and course enrollment patterns to determine which programs are most likely to attract and retain student interest over multiple years.

Support faculty in developing strong proposals

Provide faculty with guidance on submitting faculty-directed program proposals that align with curriculum goals, student demand, and departmental strengths. Encourage collaboration across departments when developing programs with shared academic relevance.

Coordinate internally to avoid overlapping or competing programs

Work with departments to ensure that new program proposals do not duplicate existing opportunities or divide a small student population across similar offerings, reducing the sustainability of all programs involved.

Foster feedback opportunities to guide program development

Gather input from advisors, faculty, and students regarding preferred locations, course needs, and areas of interest. Use surveys, focus groups or ongoing conversations to collect this information and share it with leadership and EA to support thoughtful program planning.

Sharing the impact of education abroad is one of the most effective ways to increase visibility, build interest, and strengthen support for global learning within colleges. Highlighting academic value, personal growth, and long-term outcomes helps demonstrate the relevance of these experiences and reinforces education abroad as a meaningful part of the student journey.

Recommended Actions

Showcase student voices across college communication channels

Feature student stories, quotes, photos, and short reflections in college newsletters, social media, digital screens, and departmental announcements. Include students from a range of majors and program types to reflect the breadth of opportunities available.

Highlight the academic impact of global learning

Work with departments to identify examples of how education abroad strengthens disciplinary learning, research skills, internship opportunities, or field-based experience. Share stories that connect global experiences directly to the curriculum and the academic strengths of your programs.

Lift up scholarship recipients and funded opportunities

Share stories of students who receive education abroad scholarships to highlight the importance of access and the meaningful impact of financial support.

Spotlight returnee achievements

Feature alumni who studied abroad and later pursued notable careers, research opportunities, or graduate programs. These stories demonstrate the long-term value of global learning and support the narrative of education abroad as a contributor to student success.

Collaborate with college communications teams

Establish a process for sharing story ideas, photos, and student features with your college’s communications team. Focus on stories that align with college priorities such as student success, experiential learning, and career readiness.