Through partnerships with both UF faculty and distinguished institutions around the world, the University of Florida is proud to offer hundreds of programs for study, research, internships, and service study abroad.

Thousands of UF students study abroad each year and gain valuable experiences that impact their academic, career and personal goals.  Studying abroad allows you to keep up with your degree and use existing financial aid to take courses in another country!

About University of Florida

Founded in 1853, the University of Florida, located in Gainesville, Florida, is one of the oldest public research universities in the United States.  The University of Florida is commonly known as UF or UFL and is one of the 17 universities that make up the Association of American Universities.

UF officially began functioning as a full-fledged university in September 1906 from the Florida Agricultural College in the 1860s.  It was not until 1947 that UFL accepted the first set of female students to study on its campus.

Currently, the University of Florida has about 50,000 students and is among the top five universities in the United States.

In terms of rankings, the UFL recently posted a nine-spot jump from No. 14 to No. 5 in the 2023 rankings by US News & World Report in the Best Colleges in the US category.

Considering the University of Florida’s 2022 ranking, nationally, UFL rose two spots to 28th place according to the US News & World Report – National University Ranking.

While, in terms of global ranking, UFL recorded a drop in THE (Times Higher Education) – University Ranking and QS – World University Ranking, recording the ranking positions at No. 154 and No. 174 respectively.

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Why Choose University of Florida?

The University of Florida (UF) is a new exchange partner that can offer many Reading students a great American campus experience.  Part of the prestigious Association of American Universities (AAU), UF is one of the largest universities in the US, but is also consistently ranked as one of the best.

Located on a 2,000-acre campus in Gainesville, Florida, UF has everything you’d expect from a major US institution.  With over 50,000 students, it can offer an experience that is very different from many of our existing exchange partners around the world.

UF offers numerous high-quality academic and support services, as well as a wide range of modules for a wide selection of subject areas.

With local transportation that allows for travel throughout Florida and beyond, Gainesville has a thriving music and arts scene, as well as historic architecture, pristine parks, and numerous places to socialize.

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How to Study Abroad With UF

The University of Florida offers an excellent selection of 1,100 programs worldwide.  Students can choose from programs in Asia, Africa, Australia, Europe and Latin America, making the University of Florida one of the schools with the widest choice of study destinations.

With so many places to choose from and programs to participate in, anyone who chooses the University of Florida is guaranteed to have an incredible experience.  I love the “Go Global, Gators!” theme promoted by UFs Study Abroad Program.

For example, students interested in learning Spanish can participate in a short summer program in Spain.  The opportunity to improve advanced Spanish language skills during the six-week program is made possible by their immersion experience.

Classes are held at the Universidad Internacional Menendez Pelayo in Seville, Spain, one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in the country.  Students also interact with Spanish families and other students studying at the university.

Another example is the experience of UFs in Rome.  The Business, Language and Culture program offers students the opportunity to enjoy Rome, Italy, with its museums, cathedrals, art, culture and food.

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How Much Does UF Study Abroad Cost?

The cost of studying abroad at the University of Florida is $4,500 – $6,000 per semester.  This includes tuition, room rental, studios, books, insurance and other fees.

The University of Florida offers a variety of study abroad programs.  You can choose to study at one of the many partner institutions or apply for an independent semester program.

There are also many scholarships available to students who wish to study abroad at the UF Center for Global Engagement.  These scholarships are awarded on the basis of academic merit and financial need.

UF Short-Term Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program

Undergraduate students studying life sciences at the University of Florida have few opportunities to study abroad; however, biodiversity loss and the conservation of the world’s ecosystems are central to their research.

UF Madagascar – Biodiversity Conservation and Sustainable Development is a four-week, faculty-led study abroad program that provides life science professionals with first-hand experience working in Madagascar.

This program will not only offer students a rare opportunity to experience one of the most biologically diverse landscapes in the world, but will also engage students in Malagasy culture and allow them to explore the human factor in conservation.

Students will travel from the southwest to the east coast, exploring the island’s geographic and cultural diversity.

Through guest lectures, visits to national parks, and fieldwork, students will critically examine ongoing conservation efforts and the sustainability practices of organizations working in Madagascar, while the theoretical underpinnings of holistic and transformative experiential learning bring purpose and reflection to their experiences.

UF Exchange Programs

The College of Liberal Arts and Sciences encourages students to enhance their education by studying at universities around the world.  To this end, the college is proud to offer exchange programs in every hemisphere.

Please note that accepted exchange students pay UF tuition (all scholarships, including Bright Futures, scholarships and financial aid remain the same as the student pays now).

Tuition at the host university is not charged.  No additional fees for exchanges (other than the UFIC application fee)

Currently, the college has exchange programs with the universities of the following countries:

• Australia
• Austria
• Brazil
• China
• Colombia
• Denmark
• France
• Germany
• Ireland
• Japan
• Netherlands
• Singapore
• Spain
• Switzerland
• UK

About UF In Lille: Engineering And Art Exhibition

The UF in Lille Engineering and Art program will showcase student work in conjunction with the Gainesville City Artwalk on January 27th from 7:00 pm to 10:00 pm at the Gainesville City Church.

The UF Lille program is a unique study abroad program that gives engineering students the opportunity to explore their creative side and immerse themselves in French culture and history while taking a science class at the Catholic University of Lille, France.

The course is designed to help engineering students adapt to their international location by taking them to the streets and museums of Lille, France.  Most students have never drawn before and are uncomfortable with art.

Students are assigned reading materials that examine the nature of what it means to create in a foreign environment and discuss the importance of museums as a visual vocabulary for the new artistic vocabulary.

They are encouraged to draw the building materials that make up the city and to draw, which helps them translate their experiences into two-dimensional ways of communicating.

Each of these challenges takes students out of their comfort zone and gives them the tools they need to navigate abroad.

Requirements For Admission To University Of Florida

• The first step is to fill out the application. You can apply through the Common Application or the Coalition Application.
• Once your application has been processed, you will be notified of your acceptance status. If you are accepted, you will receive instructions for paying the deposit and confirming your registration.
• You will also need to submit official high school transcripts and ACT or SAT scores. If you are unable to mail in your test results, you can pick them up at one of their test centers in Gainesville or Jacksonville.
• The University of Florida requires students to submit a personal essay in addition to their application. The essay should demonstrate that you are a good fit for the university and help them get to know you better.  You may want to write about your academic and extracurricular activities, your family and community, or anything else that is important to you.
• You must also submit a personal statement about yourself along with a bank statement that proves you have enough money to support yourself during your stay on this campus.
• The Acknowledgment/Confirmation of Sponsor Financial Support form is used to confirm sponsor financial support for international students. This form must be completed by your sponsor or others who may provide financial support before applying for admission.

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UF Study Abroad Application Process

To secure a spot, students must complete a study abroad application and pay a deposit or service fee, which can range from $125 to $750 depending on the type of program.

These fees are non-refundable, so make sure you have worked out the full financial aspect for your student before paying the deposit. Click HERE to see the fees.

More than 2,000 UF students participate in study abroad programs in destinations from Australia to Argentina, Belize to Belgium, the Netherlands to New Zealand, and many other countries.

The most popular destinations were China, France, Germany, Italy, South Korea, Spain and Great Britain.  The most popular program was two to eight weeks in the summer, then less than two weeks during the academic year (a mini-session), and then one full semester.

I would encourage your students to attend one of the information sessions to learn about the different study abroad programs.

After attending a session, they can meet with a Study Abroad Peer Advisor who can help them determine which program options might be the best fit for them.  The Study Abroad office can be found in The Hub.

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Conclusion

It’s important to remember that while Florida Prepaid can be used to study abroad, you’ll want to weigh your options as to whether or not you want to apply those funds.  The reason for this is to consider whether the total prepaid credit hours you have purchased will cover your four years as a student.

If they take more than 152 credit hours (many do), higher-level courses will cost more per credit hour than lower-level credits.  It may make sense to save the advance payment for more expensive courses rather than use it to pay for studying abroad.  You have the option not to use prepaid funds for the summer abroad.

At the same time, you should assess whether your student’s (often annual) Bright Futures funding change at their award level (academic or medallion) can be used for the semester abroad (possibly including summer) that your student is considering.

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