Office of International Education

1414 Massachusetts Avenue, 3rd floor
Phone: 617-496-2722
Fax: 617-496-2563
Email: oie@fas.harvard.edu
www.oie.fas.harvard.edu

Study Abroad 

Harvard views study abroad as an essential part of every student's undergraduate education; over half of Harvard College students participate in an international experience during their time as an undergraduate. Through spending a semester studying abroad, students are afforded a transformative experience. Study abroad provides students the opportunity to earn credit toward their concentration, secondary field, and/or language citation, while also earning elective credit that will count toward their total credits required for graduation. Details about academic year, semester and summer study abroad may be found on the Office of International Education (OIE) website

From a full year, one semester, or even just a summer abroad, there are many ways to experience international study. The Office of International Education advises Harvard College students on all aspects related to study abroad, from finding the right program best suited to the student’s academic and other interests, preparation prior to departure and on-the-ground resources, to funding support, academic advising, and ensuring a smooth re-entry back to Harvard. The OIE website has extensive advising resources, including information on approved programs and universities, course and credit guidelines, application instructions, pre-departure materials, and contact information for the OIE staff, concentration and language advisers, and student advisers and ambassadors who have recently returned from a semester abroad. 

Planning is key to a successful study abroad experience, and it is never too early to begin integrating study abroad into individual academic plans, seeking advice from concentration, secondary field, and/or language advisors, and visiting the Office of International Education for guidance. All students should seek assistance from the OIE as early as possible to begin planning the best study abroad experience for them. To ensure that credits from courses taken abroad will transfer back to Harvard for concentration or secondary field credit, students should work directly with the specific academic departments. If a student is seeking elective credit for a course taken abroad, the course will be reviewed by the OIE, in consultation with the Office of Undergraduate Education and when necessary, specific academic departments. 

Who can Study Abroad? 

Rising sophomores, juniors and seniors may participate in semester study abroad through enrolling directly into a foreign university, studying through programs sponsored by U.S. universities, or through organizations dedicated specifically to providing high-quality study abroad programming. The OIE maintains a list of approved programs on the OIE website, which is reviewed and updated each semester and summer. If a student is interested in participating in a program that is not on the approved list, the student may petition the program through the formal petition process.   

Getting Started 

To begin planning, students should meet with an advisor at the OIE during drop-in hours held daily (Monday-Thursday, 2:00 PM–4:00 PM), or through appointment, by emailing oie@fas.harvard.edu. Student Advisors, who are recently returned study abroad students, are also available to speak with through informal conversations, coffee chats, or during in-person drop-ins. 

Procedures for Earning Degree Credit for Study Abroad 

A maximum of 32-credit transfer credits may be earned from studying abroad, and credits earned are considered transfer credit and are applied to a student's academic record by the OIE upon completion of the study abroad experience (see more below). No more than 16-credits may be earned for each semester spent abroad no more than 8-credits may be earned for summer study abroad.

Credit from study abroad  may be earned for concentration and/or elective credit and may also contribute to a secondary field or language citation. Courses taken during semester or summer study abroad may also count for the divisional distribution requirement. Specific information about these options is provided on the OIE website, the General Education website (see Term Time Study Abroad), and through the undergraduate advisers in the academic departments. 

Students planning to study abroad in countries where English is not the primary language  are encouraged to complete at least one year of study in the host country’s language before studying abroad. Additionally, as part of their academic program during each semester or summer abroad, students in non-English speaking countries are expected to take either a language instruction course or a course taught entirely in a language of the host country. Students taking language courses abroad should be aware of the language policy.  

It is expected that students who study abroad for a semester or academic year will take a full course load abroad as determined by the study abroad institution or program and approved by the OIE. The full course load should also align with the College's policies regarding an equivalent full course load (i.e., 16-credits per semester), which will be applied to their student record.  

Applying for Study Abroad 

Online application instructions are available on the OIE website. To ensure that academic advising conversations take place before the student receives approval to study abroad, it is expected that students will have consulted with their Resident Dean and departmental DUS regarding their proposed study abroad coursework. Students should meet with a study abroad adviser from the OIE for specific questions on this process. 

To be approved for study abroad, a student must be in good academic and disciplinary standing during the semester immediately preceding the proposed period of study. Unless permission is granted by the Administrative Board in advance, a student may not study abroad for credit when the student is on probation for any reason or on a Leave of Absence.  

To study abroad, students must do both of the following: 

  • Apply directly to their study abroad program or university for admission by their published deadlines.

  • Apply to the Office of International Education for course approval and transfer credit by the deadline listed below:

    Semester Study Abroad  

  • October 1 for Spring semester study abroad 

  • March 1 for Fall  semester study abroad 

     Summer Study Abroad 

  • Mid-February (for students applying for both summer funding and credit) 

  • April 1 (for students seeking only credit, no summer funding)  

Students should begin the application process early and be mindful of their institution and program-specific deadlines.

Financial Aid and Semester Study Abroad

Student financial aid awards transfer to semester study abroad and may be used to pay for study abroad tuition, room and board, program and visa fees, books, airfare, and other living expenses. Students eligible for financial aid should consult their designated financial aid officer for more detailed information and should not let finances hinder their ability to study abroad. 

All students who study abroad during the academic year will be charged the student services fee, which will appear on their Harvard College term-bill. Students will also be billed automatically for health insurance, which may be waived with proof of comparable coverage by the designated deadline.  

Students will be billed directly by their study abroad institution or program for tuition, room and board, and other program-related fees. 

Students studying abroad will maintain their HarvardKey and may access Harvard libraries and other virtual services. 

Summer Funding for Summer Study Abroad 

Though financial aid for summer study abroad does not exist, Harvard College offers robust summer funding through the David Rockefeller International Experiences Grant (DRIEG). Students should consult the OIE website for details or speak with an OIE adviser.  

Students may consult the Mignone Center for Career Success for more information about other summer funding opportunities. 

Domestic Study

Harvard does not ordinarily grant credit for domestic study at other U.S. institutions, except in rare cases when such study is judged to offer an "exceptional opportunity” unavailable  at Harvard. Information on the process for petitioning for credit for study out of residence within the U.S. can be obtained from the student’s Resident Dean; if the student’s petition is approved by the Administrative Board, the OIE will be notified by the appropriate Dean and will instruct the student on how to apply for transfer credit.  

Undocumented or DACA students interested in a domestic study out of residence should reach out to Camila Nardozzi, Director of the OIE, for more information.