Education Abroad and Scholar Services
Education Abroad at UHCL is committed to helping students expand their global awareness. We promote, support and develop international and intercultural educational opportunities for students, and subsequently contribute to defining the international character of UHCL. EA&SS services include education abroad, J-1 exchange visitors, scholar services, and some university international agreements.
Education Abroad is here to help you connect to the right program–one that aligns with your academic goals, challenges your perspectives, and empowers students to become engaged global citizens. Students interested in education abroad opportunities should contact Education Abroad to attend an Education Abroad 101 information session. All students who participate in an education abroad program are required to complete the University’s education abroad participation forms, purchase the approved education abroad health insurance, pay any applicable education abroad program fees and attend a pre-departure orientation meeting.
Types of Education Abroad Programs
UHCL Faculty-Led
UHCL administers faculty-led programs, either fully or in partnerships with other institutions. Programs are led by full-time UHCL faculty associated with a UHCL course. Students earn regular UHCL credits and grades that count towards degree requirements (upon written approval).
Exchange Programs
UHCL students may study for a semester or academic year at institutions in which UHCL has established international student exchange agreements for which they will receive transfer credit at UHCL upon written approval.
Partner Providers
UHCL has a list of partner providers that facilitate and administers education abroad programs all over the world. The providers take the guesswork out of the education abroad process. Even before leaving for your new host country, providers assist in securing visas, transfer credit documentation, organizing flights, and picking housing and roommate options for you. Written course transfer approval is required to obtain financial aid.
Students who register for education abroad programs administered by institutions other than UHCL will pay the tuition and fees of the administering university or program, in addition to any applicable education abroad fees payable to UHCL to maintain the student’s enrollment at UHCL.
J-1 Exchange Scholar Program
The goal of UHCL’s J-1 Exchange Visitor Program is to promote cultural and educational exchange between international and domestic students, faculty, staff and community members, as well as to promote greater diversity and global awareness within the UHCL community. Components of this program include:
- Educational, research and teaching activities
- Cultural exchange programming
- Cultural adjustment support
- Immigration advising
Education Abroad Accident and Sickness Medical Insurance
The University of Houston-Clear Lake requires students who are accepted to participate in an approved education abroad program (regardless of credit or funding) to secure and maintain the required student international accident and sickness medical insurance coverage. Insurance coverage must be secured from the university-recognized insurance provider for the students’ approved UHCL education abroad dates. Education Abroad program types may include, but are not limited to:
- Internships
- Service-learning programs
- Volunteering/humanitarian outreach activities
- Research missions
- Academic-related meetings or programs
- Professional Association conferences/meetings
- Student organization events
As part of a student’s education abroad process, students will either be directed to the appropriate source to purchase their insurance or be automatically enrolled under Education Abroad and Scholar Services international travel accident and sickness insurance.
Currently, insurance costs run between $11-20 per week for basic coverage. This fee will cover the cost of student travel accidents, sickness insurance and travel services while on UHCL approved programs. The current policy brochure is available online.
Students are advised to maintain their primary healthcare coverage while abroad. Students must have the UHCL-approved education abroad insurance policy regardless of any other insurance they may have, including personal/private insurance, insurance required by partner-party providers, or a foreign government. Waivers are not permitted.
Education Abroad Travel Registry
The UHCL-approved designated travel registry vendor provides up-to-date, in-depth and trusted traveler information. With the travel registry app, students, faculty and staff will obtain real-time destination reports and alerts pushed to their smart phones. The Office of Education Abroad and Scholar Services will be able to communicate and keep education abroad groups updated to make informed decisions.
Students must register with the designated UHCL travel registry vendor to obtain safety and security alerts. The app’s instant check-in option allows students to report their status back to UHCL in case of an emergency or at the Office of Education Abroad and Scholar Services’ request.
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