University of Pittsburgh: A World of Opportunities Through Study Abroad Programs

In a world where a global mindset is increasingly vital, the University of Pittsburgh (Pitt) offers a diverse array of study abroad programs designed to provide students with invaluable cross-cultural experiences. These programs range from short international seminars to semester-long exchanges and virtual internships, ensuring that every student can find an opportunity that aligns with their academic and personal goals. By studying and working in another country, students interact with global citizens, gain international communication skills, and develop novel cultural insights, strengthening their skills and professional experience for the workforce.

Types of Study Abroad Programs at Pitt

Pitt offers several types of study abroad programs, each with unique characteristics to suit different student needs and preferences:

Panther Programs: These programs are designed by Pitt's Global Experiences Office staff in collaboration with faculty and are primarily composed of Pitt students, typically led by someone from Pitt.
Study Away Programs: These programs are designed by Pitt Global Experiences staff and are always taught by a Pitt faculty member but occur within the United States.
Partner Programs: Students can study at a college or university that Pitt has an academic relationship with, earning Pitt credits that appear on their transcript.
Exchange Programs: These programs are ideal for students who are more independent, as they often require more self-direction in navigating both the classroom and the host country's customs.
Pitt-Recognized Programs and Institutions: These programs are facilitated by third-party organizations that Pitt has worked with for years, ensuring they meet Pitt’s standards for academics, health, safety, and security. Examples include CIEE, API, and ISA.

Featured Programs and Destinations

Pitt's study abroad programs span the globe, offering opportunities in diverse locations and academic fields. Here are a few examples of the programs available to Pitt students:

Europe

Pitt in Spain (Alcala de Henares): Located just 30 minutes from Madrid, Alcala de Henares offers a historic setting for students to immerse themselves in Spanish language and culture. Courses are hosted at the Franklin Institute of the University of Alcala, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and students can earn up to 12 credits. The atmosphere of the small and manageable city combined with a Spanish host family will leave you feeling like a true Spaniard by the time your program is over.
Dietrich to London: Richmond American University: Study in one of the most vibrant, exciting, and culturally rich cities in the world. Richmond American University offers a wide range of courses across multiple disciplines. You’ll attend classes taught by their faculty, with dedicated staff available to answer your questions and provide ongoing guidance. Richmond American University London is one of the UK's pioneering liberal arts universities with students from over 60.
Frederick Firsts in Berlin: This program allows students to learn about the history of bioscience discovery during the scientific revolution in Europe, including landmark discoveries such as the development of the Germ Theory of Disease. Students will also hear from current university researchers and leaders in the bioscience start-up communities in Pittsburgh and Berlin.
Pitt in the Netherlands: Travel with Professors Jeff Aziz and Uma Satyavolu Rao to experience the art, science, and culture of the Dutch Golden Age. Coursework explores intersections of literature and science as well as the intersections of literature and medicine. Immerse yourself in a place steeped in the history of art, anatomy, medicine, and emerging natural science.
Pitt in Graz, Austria: This program immerses students in an international environment where healthcare and policy differ significantly from the United States. Students will explore healthcare through a comparative lens, using Austria and Slovenia as specific examples to contrast with the United States. This program is designed for any student who is interested in healthcare or on the pre-med track.
Inter-professional Studies in Health, Rehabilitation, and Education in Northern Ireland: This program is designed for a broad range of students with health-related interests. Students will have the opportunity to learn with, from and about each other (WHO, 2010) encouraging the development of an understanding of the connected and complementary.
Pitt in Florence, Italy: Florence is the ideal setting to spend a summer studying in one of the most historic, cultural, and beautiful cities in the world. The city is filled with cobblestone streets, open-air markets, unique food experiences, artistic masterpieces, stunning architecture.
Journey through England’s scientific past and future: Explore how the nation that faced the 1665 plague helped shape modern health-from the self-quarantined village of Eyam to the monastic hygiene practices of Kirkstall Abbey. In London, visit the Wellcome Library, the Royal College of Physicians’ Heritage Library, the Florence Nightingale Museum, and the Royal College of Nursing Museum to trace the evolution of medicine, nursing, and public health.

The Americas

Pitt in Ecuador at the Andes and Amazon Field School: This program is designed to immerse students in the Amazonian environment in an interdisciplinary context.
Pitt in Brazil: Whether you are just learning Portuguese or looking to perfect your skills, Pitt in Brazil is the program for you.
Pitt in Bolivia: Bolivia offers a unique opportunity to explore and learn, with the largest Indigenous population in South America. Students will take two academic courses on Culture and Health specific to this Andean nation, paired with a service-learning opportunity that connects classroom learning with community engagement.
SHRS Interprofessional Healthcare in St. Kitts: This is a spring semester course with travel over spring break to St. Kitts. The course includes enriched learning about the Caribbean culture of St. Kitts, its colonial history, and its healthcare system.
Pitt in Costa Rica: This program offers students the opportunity to spend four immersive weeks in Costa Rica, studying Spanish and exploring other academic interests at Universidad LCI Veritas. Sustainability is a central pillar of the university’s mission, with climate action embedded into its core values.

Asia

Pitt in Thailand: This program will provide you with the opportunity to study public speaking and global literature at Mahasarakham University in Thailand.
Pitt in China: This program is designed to provide students with exposure to the culture and health care delivery system in China. Emphasis will be placed on exploring health issues and risk factors, the impact of cultural characteristics on health care delivery and utilization, and the achievement of health-related goals in China.
Pitt in Switzerland: This program offers an opportunity to learn about the culture, health care delivery, and nursing education in Switzerland. During this 2-week study abroad experience, you will visit various academic, health care, government-supported, non-governmental, and private organizations focusing on educating nurses and advancing health care.
Pitt in North India: Join a group of adventurous fellow students for six weeks during the early summer in North India to learn about the challenges of emergency medicine, public health and medical care in the Himalayas, one of the most spectacular mountain ranges on earth.
Nursing Anesthesia Program in Laos or Cambodia: Selected DNP students in the Nursing Anesthesia program are invited to participate in a three-week program at either Laos Friends Hospital for Children in Luang Prabang, Laos, or Angkor Hospital for Children (AHC) in Siem Reap, Cambodia.

Africa

Pitt in Senegal: This program welcomes students to Dakar, Senegal, the western gateway to the African continent. Students will study Senegalese culture and history while completing a self-directed research project.

Other Opportunities

A&S First Year Global Programs: These programs offer Dietrich School students their first opportunity to study abroad. Students will earn 4 credits while traveling with a small group of peers and a Pitt program assistant for 10 days after the spring semester of their Freshman year.
Plus3 Programs: These two-week, three-credit interdisciplinary experiences are designed for first-year students. They offer a firsthand glimpse of global health through site visits, discussions with experts, and academic lectures that provide cultural and political perspectives.

Benefits of Studying Abroad

Studying abroad offers numerous benefits that can enhance a student's academic, personal, and professional development:

Career Advancement: Study abroad experiences are extremely beneficial to a student's career. The skills and experiences gained abroad make graduates more competitive in the job market. International opportunities can help set your resume apart.
Cultural Immersion: Immerse yourself in the campus culture as you learn alongside locals and other international students from all stretches of the globe.
Global Perspective: By spending time studying and working in another country, you will interact with a variety of global citizens.
Skill Development: You will gain international communication skills and novel cultural insights.
Networking: By expanding your professional network on a global scale, you will enter the workforce with stronger skills and professional experience.

Program Costs and Fees

When participating in a Pitt-recognized program, an administrative fee ($300 for summer; $400 for full term) is charged, which covers comprehensive international health and accident insurance, pre-departure advising, and the facilitation of credit transfer upon completion of the program. Tuition and fees for the program are paid directly to the provider. No Pitt tuition or fees are charged for Pitt-Recognized Programs. Be sure to carefully read and understand what the providers’ fees cover, i.e. tuition, housing, meals, excursions, travel expenses, visas (if needed), etc.