Study Abroad Programs in Austin, The United States

Austin, the capital of Texas, is the home base of several organisations that send American students abroad. They do not teach in Austin itself: they arrange semesters, summers and short programmes at partner universities and language schools in other countries, mostly for students who stay enrolled at a US college or high school. Our directory lists seven study abroad organisations in Austin; the list below the text shows them all.

What the organisations offer

The programmes differ in who they are for, how long they last and where they go:

• WorldStrides (formerly ISA - International Studies Abroad) runs university-level study abroad, internships, community engagement, research and full-degree programmes. It states that it has more than 100 partnerships with international universities in over 50 cities, and its terms range from a semester, quarter or academic year to summer, J-term and Maymester programmes. In Spain its destinations are Barcelona, Bilbao, Granada, Madrid, Málaga, Salamanca, Seville and Valencia.
• Sol Education Abroad offers university study abroad and Spanish immersion programmes in Spain, Argentina, Costa Rica and Mexico, and has a separate high school and gap year programme.
• Sol Abroad and SPI Study Abroad are listed with summer language programmes for high school students; Academic Programs International (API), Alliance Abroad Group and Spain Study Abroad are also listed in Austin.

Because most programmes take place in Spain or Latin America, Austin's providers suit US students who want to learn Spanish while earning credit.

Credits, financial aid and scholarships

Credits are awarded by the home university, not by the provider. WorldStrides advises students to choose six to eight possible courses and get them pre-approved by their home university; it sends the transcript to the home university, usually one to three months after grades are final, and the number of credits accepted is up to the home university. According to WorldStrides, students can usually use the same financial aid abroad as at home, including federal Title IV aid such as Pell grants, Stafford and PLUS loans. It also awards more than $2.4 million a year in scholarships and grants, with deadlines of 30 April for autumn, 30 October for winter and spring and 28 February for summer programmes.

Going to Spain from Texas: the student visa

Students who live in Texas apply for a Spanish student visa through the Consulate General of Spain in Houston, which covers Texas and seven other states and has outsourced applications to BLS International Houston. The visa is needed for stays of more than 90 days, for full-time study of at least 20 hours a week. According to the consulate:

• apply at least two months before your studies start; processing takes at least six weeks
• your passport must be valid for at least one year and have two blank pages
• proof of means is set at 100% of IPREM, about $700 a month; a statement from the US programme that it covers room and board is accepted
• you need health insurance from an insurer authorised in Spain
• for stays of more than 180 days, a criminal record certificate is also required

Do not buy plane tickets until the visa has been granted.

Frequently asked questions

Can I use federal financial aid for a study abroad programme?

Usually yes. WorldStrides states that students can generally use the same aid as at home, including Title IV aid; check with your university's financial aid office first.

Will my credits from abroad count at my home university?

Only if your home university accepts them. Get your courses pre-approved before you leave; the final number of credits is the home university's decision.

How early should I apply for a Spanish student visa from Texas?

At least two months before your programme starts. The Consulate General in Houston says processing takes at least six weeks.

Are there study abroad programmes for high school students in Austin?

Yes. Sol Education Abroad has a high school and gap year programme, and Sol Abroad and SPI Study Abroad are listed with summer programmes for high school students.