If you have not found the perfect CSU International Program, or CSUF Exchange or Department Program, you still can study abroad! Cal State Fullerton allows you to study abroad through Non-CSUF programs.

NOTE: TRANSFER STUDENTS must meet with academic advisement to determine the number of units you are allowed to transfer in.

Below we have outlined the steps you need to take to find the right program. Please feel free to consult the Study Abroad Office staff with any additional questions, or if you get "stuck" at any point in the process.

Step One: Defining your perfect study abroad program

• See the How to Choose a Program page for some ideas of the factors you should consider.

Step Two: Consulting the general references

• The Study Abroad Office keeps several general reference listings of study abroad programs, such as the Academic Year Abroad and Short Term Study Abroad books in our library.

 
• Additional resources are available online such as
  • Studyabroad.com
  • IIE Passport
  • Go Abroad

Step Three: Gathering specific program information

• Request Information: Once you have compiled a list of several programs, contact the individual programs and ask to be sent specific information (cost breakdown, course descriptions, information about housing, and transportation).

 
• Visit the Study Abroad Office: Many program brochures are also available in the Study Abroad Office; you may consult these brochures in our reference area.

Step Four: Making the decision

• Compare: Once you have detailed program information in hand, carefully compare the different programs to see which one seems most suited to your needs. Remember when comparing cost information to look carefully at what is and is not included in the program fee (for instance, if one program fee includes housing and the other does not, you need to add in the cost of housing when looking at the second program). You can use the Budget Planning Worksheet to help compare different programs.

 
• Contact: You may also wish to ask the program contact person if you can talk to previous participants in the program (fellow students are an excellent source of information!).

 
• See your Academic Advisor: Once you have narrowed your program choices to no more than two or three different options, you may wish to take the detailed course descriptions for those programs to your academic advisor to see if he or she feels that one program is better for you academically than another.

 
• See the Study Abroad Advisor: You may make an appointment with the Study Abroad Advisor to discuss your options.

Step Five: Applying for the program

1. Apply to the Program: Applications for Non-CSUF programs must be made directly to the program sponsor and are subject to the program sponsor’s deadlines! The Study Abroad Office will help you with credit transfer and staying enrolled at Cal State Fullerton.

 
2. Complete the Non-CSUF Study Abroad Application: Once you have decided which program you would like to apply to, you must download the Non-CSUF Study Abroad Program Enrollment Packet. This packet includes an approval form for transfer credit, which you will take to the designated advisor in your major college(s) for approval for transfer of the classes you plan to take abroad towards Cal State Fullerton course requirements. A list of the college contacts for this process is included in the application


• Non-CSUF Study Abroad Program Application


3. See your Academic Advisor: Make an appointment with the appropriate college advisor as soon as you have decided on the program you want to apply for.
   
   You will need to bring your Non-CSUF Study Abroad Program Application (including course descriptions for all courses that you might want to take while abroad) to your appointment with your Academic Advisor. Course descriptions should be obtained from the program sponsor.

 
4. Be sure you have completed all forms: Please note that some programs may require you to submit a form with your application certifying that you will receive academic credit for the program from Cal State Fullerton. This form can usually be completed by the Study Abroad Office but cannot be signed until you have met with the appropriate college advisor and completed the Request for Approval form.

Step Six: Prepare to go

• Complete the Online Study Abroad Pre-departure Orientation!
  
  Students going on Non-CSUF programs are required to complete the online pre-departure orientation and will complete the same financial aid information as students going on CSUF programs. We recommend that students going on Non-CSUF programs research and apply for study abroad scholarships.