Who can study abroad?
The University of Pittsburgh offers something for almost every student, regardless of major with more than 300 programs in dozens of countries. The Study Abroad Office assists students in planning their experience to include classes and/or internships that will earn credits toward their Pitt degree.
To study abroad, a Pitt student must meet these minimum requirements:
- Sophomore status or higher
- Good academic standing with a minimum GPA of 2.75
- Complete a judicial clearance form
Researching programs
Your journey starts here to explore program options that include: University-sponsored Panther programs — exchange programs, and various third-party Pitt-recognized programs. Students can compare course equivalencies of all Panther program courses offered abroad to those available at the Pitt-Johnstown campus. This guide is a valuable resource to determine which courses a student may plan to take at home and also abroad.
Determining course equivalents
This guide can assist you in determining equivalencies for Panther study abroad courses with courses offered at the Johnstown campus. This guide is for informational purposes only so please be sure to check with your academic advisor for final approval as to how your educational requirements will be met using study abroad courses.
International internships
Participating in an international internship is a great launching pad to a global career! This unique and unforgettable opportunity will help you gain practical work experience and make connections in major business centers around the world. Students will work with the Johnstown and Pittsburgh Study Abroad Offices to find a suitable placement. All internships are non-paid, earn 3 credits (approximately 15-20 hours per week on site) and are available through the following programs:
CBA International Internship Program
Open to Business and Arts & Sciences students.
Current programs are offered in Beijing, Berlin, Dublin, Madrid, and Sao Paulo.
Pitt in London
Fall and Spring opportunities include a wide range of internship opportunities in a variety of industries.
Pitt in Florence
Spring program includes internship opportunities for qualified students who are also fluent in Italian.
Pitt in Sydney
Fall and Spring
Pitt in Sydney offers students the opportunity to study in the Southern Hemisphere's most dynamic and diverse city. Students have a wide range of courses from which to choose and can also participate in an internship.
Engineering students can view a document listing all engineering-related Panther programs.
Panther programs offered through Pitt-Johnstown
Each spring break Pitt-Johnstown offers faculty led programs. Our current program is International Marketing in Ecuador, led by professor George "Skip" Glenn. Additionally, every fall and spring term, approved Education majors can participate in the Student Teaching in New Zealand Program where half of their student teaching placement takes place abroad. Please contact Dr. Julie Ankrum, Associate Professor of Education and Program Director, with questions regarding eligibility.
The study abroad process
The study abroad process at the University of Pittsburgh can be broken down into five general stages: pre-application, application, acceptance, abroad, and re-entry. The process requires a considerable amount of time, thought, and energy to complete. The SAO staff recommend that you begin considering study abroad as soon as you arrive on campus and begin planning a minimum of six months to a full yer prior to your anticipated departure. Learn more about the study abroad process.
Note: as a regional campus, Pitt-Johnstown does not require or provide all pre-departure activities described in the Pittsburgh SAO website. However, all Johnstown students will work closely with a study abroad advisor at this campus to follow all necessary steps in the study abroad process.
For parents
Information for parents addresses the needs/questions/concerns parents may have regarding their child's decision to study abroad. Please review the information and contact the Study Abroad Office with any questions you might have.
Health and safety
Students can be sure that the social and political climate in their future host country is conducive to studying. The University of Pittsburgh follows the guidelines established by the U.S. Department of State regarding safety abroad. Additionally all students who study abroad are required to attend a mandatory travel and safety orientation held at the Johnstown campus. To learn more, please visit the health and safety page.
Finances and scholarships
Finances are a large part of preparing for study abroad. To help families prepare, financing study abroad describes steps such as budgeting, scholarships and using financial aid.
The University of Pittsburgh offers two scholarships every semester (spring, fall and summer) for students accepted in a Pitt-approved study abroad program. These are the Study Abroad Office Scholarship Fund and the Provost’s Scholarship Fund for Study Abroad, which offer $1,000 awards. Additionally, students are encouraged to research national scholarships to supplement the cost of their study abroad program.
Each semester the Pitt-Johnstown campus awards the Albert P. Vannucci Study Abroad Scholarship. The selection process takes place in the semester prior to study abroad. Awards are made the following semester and posted to the student’s Pitt PAY account through the Financial Aid Office. Awardees are notified by e-mail as well as a letter sent to their permanent address.
Each fall, the University participates in the Vira I. Heinz Scholarship Program for Women in GlobalLeadership for eligible women of sophomore or junior status.
The program grants to three young women the opportunity to participate in a series of leadership and intercultural development retreats held at the University of Pittsburgh. It also provides each young woman with a scholarship of at least $5,000 to fund an accredited international experience.
Women admitted to the VIH Program meet the following criteria:
- Undergraduate woman of sophomore or junior status at one of the VIH institutions
- U.S. citizen
- Full time student status for at least two terms with a Baccalaureate degree in progress
- QPA of not less than 3.0
- Will return to your university / college as a full time student during the fall semester following the study abroad experience
- International experience must take place in one country (no multi-country experiences); it must be accredited and last for at least 28 days
- Be available to attend all activities during two mandatory weekend retreats: one during the spring term prior to studying abroad and one during the fall following the study abroad experience
- Commit to meeting all requirements of the VIH Program, including, but not limited to: a) submitting an Experience Report; b) completing a CEE & submitting a CEE Report; c) completing all assignments for the two retreats; d) assisting with marketing the VIH Program on your campus
- The Heinz Endowments stipulate that women admitted to the VIH Program cannot have any international experience prior to the VIH funded international experience
The Heinz Endowments have a particular interest in developing VIH scholars who meet one (or more) of the following five indicators of diversity: GLBTQQ, disability, racial or ethnic minority, financial need as defined by receiving a Pell Grant, and STEM students.
Previous Pitt-Johnstown awardees have studied in Vienna, Austria; Berlin, Germany; London, U.K.; Quito, Ecuador, Prague, Czech Republic, Cochabamba, Bolivia, and other destinations around the world.
Program timeline: Information sessions are held each fall, typically during September and October. Please re-visit this page for new information. On-line applications are accepted September through November 1.
Application deadline: November 1.
Me abroad
The study abroad experience is personal to each individual student. The SAO recognizes that some students have specialized concerns when planning their study abroad experience. Topics and issues highlights information to review prior to embarking on your program.
Helpful Travel Information
Emergencies and safety abroad
Obtaining a passport
As soon as you are certain that you plan to study about, apply for your passport or renewal. If this is your first passport, you will need to report to any U.S. Post Office with a completed application, your documentation and form of payment. The cost for a passport book is $135. The Johnstown Post Office (111 Franklin Street/814-533-4936) passport office is open Monday-Friday between the hours of 11 a.m. and 2 p.m. No appointment is necessary. Renewals ($110) can be done on-line. Visit U.S. Passport Services (U.S. Department of State) to obtain a passport or renewal application (available as a fillable document) and a list of documentation you will need to bring with you to the Post Office. You must also obtain two, passport-sized photographs available at various locations such as U.S. Post Offices, Rite Aid Pharmacies, Wal Mart Photo Centers, or AAA in the Johnstown Galleria.
Obtaining a visa
Your program provider will provide all necessary information. Students cannot apply for a visa any earlier than 90 days prior to the start of their program. Visa fees are approximately $100 to $450. Often students participating in an internship or studying abroad for a duration longer than 90 days must obtain a visa but requirements vary from country to country. Research general information regarding visas at http://www.visahq.com
Other State Department sites
- Students abroad
- STEP (Smart Traveler Enrollment Program)
- International Travel Information
- Smart Traveler Smartphone App
Before, During and After Your Trip Abroad
Researching your host country
World news
Travel resources while abroad
Hostel lodging after completing your program
Online travel advice and guidebooks
Health abroad
Money and banking abroad
General interest to travelers
Events
The 2016 Mountain Cats Abroad photo contest recognizes students who have studied abroad the previous year.
This annual, online contest allows current members of the Pitt-Johnstown community to choose their favorites from three categories: portraits, landscapes, and cross-cultural experiences. The 2016 contest will run late March with winners announced in early April. The top vote entries from each category will receive an assortment of Pitt-themed merchandise as well as a signed and framed print of their entry signed by Dr. Spectar. Winning entries from 2015’s contest >
New for 2017!
Pitt in Amsterdam, month of May, 2017 (specific program information to be announced.) Four weeks, six credits (Sustainable Cities I: Theories and Concepts, and Sustainable Cities II: Applied Field Research.) Open to students from all backgrounds and requires no prerequisites. Led by Pitt-Johnstown’s Associate Professor of Geography, Dr. Ola Johansson, a native of Sweden. Explore Amsterdam next summer and learn how cities are increasingly designed to be environmentally friendly from one of the most environmentally friendly cities in the world!
On-going event: Vira I. Heinz Scholarship for Women in Leadership Program recruitment.
Meet with current recipients to learn more about this exciting scholarship opportunity which awards a minimum of $5,000.
Date, time, and location to be announced later.
Heinz scholarship program information can be found at www.viraheinz.pitt.edu
Scholarship application deadline: November 1, 2016.
