This is the first (and required) step to apply for SF State Abroad
Before you have a program in mind, create an account in our database so you have access to all of the resources and we know you are interested.
Research programs based on your academic goal(s): major, minor, general education, or language acquisition.
- Check eligibility (GPA, class standing, and potential course requirements).
- Confirm that the program is available for the term(s) you want to be abroad.
- Review courses abroad to confirm that the program has classes you want to take that align with your academic goal.
Note Deadlines:
Be sure to submit by SF State's deadlines to ensure full consideration and support from the SF State Abroad Office.
Academic year, fall, and summer deadlines:
- February 15 (priority deadline*)
- March 1 (final deadline**)
Calendar year, spring deadlines:
- September 15 (priority deadline)
- October 1 (final deadline**)
*Please note that Waseda (Japan), and Trossingen Music (Germany) are only available for the academic year and have a deadline of January 15 (which is never extended). Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Chile (PUC) also has a January 15 deadline for academic year/fall start but is also available for calendar year/spring start with a September 15 deadline.
**Many programs (but not all) will remain open until the final deadline. Therefore, students are encouraged to apply by the priority deadline if possible. For details about program requirements and academic areas of study at them, please check the SF State Abroad Program database.
Please do not sign in for advising until after you have attended an information meeting and narrowed down your top 2-3 choices. Then, we would be happy to answer any additional questions you have over the phone or zoom. If you feel comfortable applying, it is not necessary to speak with an advisor to apply.
You can sign in for virtual (Zoom) advising below or come into the office on Tuesday afternoons and Wednesday mornings for in-person advising.
This is not required but highly recommended. The only thing you need to do before RSVP'ing is to know your first choice program. Please finalize this before RSVP'ing. If you still cannot decide which program is your first choice, then sign in for advising under step 4.
The self-guided application workshop will walk you through the process. If you still have questions, please sign up for advising. Live workshops over zoom will be available near application deadlines.
Put together a budget and apply for scholarships. At this stage, your budget will be more of an estimate. The Budget Workshop page can help you create one.
- For SF State Exchange Programs, please put together a budget using this website.
- For CSU IP programs, find your program on the CSU IP website. After you click on your program, select the "program cost" tab to see IP's estimated cost for your program.
Once you have a budget, then you want to research funding.
SF State Abroad is committed to inclusion and equity in supporting all degree-seeking students to study abroad. As you begin thinking about where you might study abroad, take a few minutes to consider your identity.
We are is a constellation of identities, some of which are visible and others we have the option of disclosing or not (e.g. friend, sister, Black, Jewish, queer, transfer student, Californian, American, etc.). How you identify yourself may vary based upon context. Your identity (both what you share and aspects that are apparent) will shape your study abroad experience and how you are perceived.
To consider how your identity will impact your study abroad experience abroad, review the "Going Abroad as a" tab at the top of the page as well as read more on our identity while abroad page.
The best preparation for studying abroad is to talk to study abroad alumni and international students. There are a variety of ways to connect with them.
- Connect with the International Education Exchange Council (IEEC).
- Follow IEEC on Instagram @sfsuieec.
- Follow SF State Abroad on Instagram @sfstateabroad.
- Stop by the IEEC Study Abroad table in the Quad in front of the Cesar Chavez Student Center
- Join a Language Exchange
- Visit the IEEC Office in the Cesar Chavez Student Center (room T-125)
- Attend the IEEC Study Abroad Fair!
To request disability accommodation for any study abroad meeting, workshop, event, or advising session, please contact Study Abroad at (415) 338-1293 or studyabroad@sfsu.edu at least one week prior to an event or meeting.