• Ensure you have a valid passport; obtain/renew passport (if necessary)
  • If you do not have a passport, or if your current passport is set to expire sooner than six months after your expected return date, you must obtain a new passport.
  • Visit Travel.State.Gov for more information. UF Passport Services offers passport support on campus.
• Ensure that you meet the academic requirements for an exchange program.
  • Students must have a 3.0 UF GPA, be free of academic holds, and must be on-track.
  • Non-business students are eligible to participate in most business exchange programs, but business students get first priority.

• Research international partner schools on the Warrington Exchange Programs webpage.
  • Investigate location, term dates, budget, housing, transportation, visa regulations, travel, etc.
  • Consider attending the Global Gathering event, where incoming exchange students to UF from some of these partner schools speak about their university. Global Gathering is usually held in September and January. Event information can be found (when available) on the Warrington Events Calendar.
• Research course options at international partner schools. Please note that exchange programs are not suitable for students who need specific courses abroad and/or have rigid degree plans. Courses are not guaranteed and are typically not finalized until near or upon arrival.
  • Refer to the individual exchange webpages for courses offered in previous terms. Course offerings for the intended study abroad term are usually not available during the timeframe for researching and applying for a program.
  • Develop a list of 6-10 courses you are interested in taking during your exchange term.
  • Develop an academic plan for your remaining semesters at UF incorporating your exchange semester. Be sure to consider how the plan can shift around depending on what courses you are able to get.
  • For possible major-specific and/or business core courses, identify established UF equivalencies and/or submit equivalency request (requires syllabus and equivalency form). A course appearing in the UF equivalency database does not mean it will be available during your exchange. Submitting a course equivalency request does not guarantee that equivalency.
• Research scholarships

• Open an application
  • Go to your selected exchange program’s webpage and click the “Apply Now” button. Login using your GatorLink username. Select desired term and click “Apply”. You can also access the application directly through the UFIC Program Search database.
  • You may begin filling out the Questionnaires and Signature Documents or otherwise wait until after your appointment with a Heavener School of Business International Programs advisor (see below).
• Meet with a Heavener School of Business International Programs advisor
  • Call 352-273-0151 to set up an appointment.
  • During this appointment, the Academic Advising Form will be filled out, where you will discuss your course selections. If time permits, the Budget Worksheet will be discussed. You may wish to set up an additional appointment to go over the Budget Worksheet further, if needed.
• Meet with other departments/colleges (if needed)
  • You will need to acquire approval on the Academic Advising Form from additional departments and/or your college if you are a non-business major and/or plan to utilize the academic coursework you are taking abroad towards a non-business major and/or minor.
  • You will need to acquire approval on the Academic Advising Form from the Innovation Academy if you are an Innovation Academy student.
• Finish application
  • Return the completed Academic Advising Form.
  • Ensure all Questionnaires and Signature Documents are complete on the online application.
  • Pay $425 non-refundable deposit via the online application.

Exchanges are competitive and space-limited; applications will be reviewed right around the application deadline. Completing the application does not guarantee a spot on the program. If your application is approved, you will have additional tasks to complete to finalize your participation in the program and to complete prior to departure (see below).

• Validate nomination with the UF International Center advisor.
  • Visit the UFIC advisor for your prospective host country. You can identify the advisor for your region and schedule an appointment with a UFIC advisor online.
  • Confirm the date when your UFIC advisor will nominate you to the partner school.
• Important– Satisfy all application requirements of the partner school.
  • Complete the host university’s application process and any additional requirements. The student is responsible for understanding all application procedures of the host university. Typically, students will receive application information directly from the host university by email after being nominated. Be sure to check UF email regularly.

Complete the following tasks after your application is approved. Dates for pre-departure sessions and deadlines for tasks overseen by Heavener International Programs will be sent to you upon approval. It is the student’s responsibility to ensure everything is completed in a timely manner. You will also be added to the Global Scholars Course Canvas upon approval.

• Passport Information
  • Complete the questionnaire on your UF study abroad application online. The passport upload should be a color scan of the data and signature pages.
  • The passport must be signed and valid at least six months after your expected return date.
  • Non-U.S. citizens should also upload a copy of their visa for the U.S.
• Visa (if needed)
  • Partner schools typically send students visa information in the application packet.
  • Apply for a visa in consultation with advisors in the UFIC. Visas are required for most programs.
  • Note that visa applications often require financial documentation. The process may also require travel to a consulate and/or embassy, the scheduling/timing of which may be limited. The process may also entail sending off your passport for process. If so, you would not be able to travel internationally until you have received your passport/visa back. For this reason, it is suggested not to fly too early as well as to refrain from international travel in the months leading up to the exchange.
• UF International Center Pre-Departure Modules & Assessments
  • Complete the modules & assessments on your UF study abroad application online.
• Clear Registration Holds
  • The Heavener International Programs office will register you for the GEB 4956 placeholder course.
• Flight Information
  • Purchase flight to destination after you are approved by the partner school and have confirmed your visa.
  • Complete the questionnaire on your UF study abroad application online.
• Housing
  • Make housing arrangements after you are approved by the partner school.
  • For housing abroad, confirm host university housing (recommended) or use host university-recommended housing websites.
  • Consider what to do about any pre-existing housing in Gainesville while you are abroad (if applicable).
    • If you are in a lease for off-campus accommodation, advertise sublease through UF Off Campus Life and/or elsewhere.
    • If you are in UF Housing contract, contact UF Housing & Residence Life for cancellation procedures. Contact Heavener International Programs to obtain a letter of support.
• Complete first two assignments for Global Scholars Course
  • Country/Institution Profile
  • Goal Setting
• Attend Pre-Departure Sessions
  • These sessions, hosted by Heavener International Programs, are mandatory and will help students prepare for their time abroad.
  • Note: Attendance at these sessions is in lieu of the UFIC Pre-Departure Orientation, although students are still welcome to attend that event.