Exchange programs are great choices for UTSA business students who are looking for an affordable way to study abroad for a semester.
You can select from one of our UTSA Carlos Alvarez College of Business international partner universities or from the UTSA Education Abroad Office and pay UTSA tuition and fees to UTSA.
The approved courses taken during an Exchange program can be applied to your degree plan. While you are enrolled, you will take classes alongside local students and be taught in English by local faculty. Additionally, certain financial aid and study abroad scholarships can be used to cover the classes!
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Angers, France
Explore Angers, a recognized World Heritage Site and learn more about the French culture while receiving a top-level business education at ESSCA, a grande école specializing in business.
Fall Term: August to December
Spring Term: January to May
Strasbourg, France
Ranked in the top 15 business programs in France, EM Strasbourg hosts over 500 international students from 200 different colleges around the world. Strasbourg is located in the province of Alsace.
Fall Term: September to December
Spring Term: January to May
The deadline to submit an exchange application is March 15 for Fall 2024 and September 15 for Spring 2025
Speak with your advisor to explore how a study abroad program could fit with your coursework. The steps below provide a general overview of the process.
Step 1: Research the university and open an application
Thoroughly review the link below for your program of interest. Become familiar with the type of courses that the university offers while also referring to your DegreeWorks to understand what courses could potentially transfer back. This is also the time to meet with your academic advisor and the Alvarez Student Success Center team.
Business at ESSCA - France
Business at EM Strasbourg - France
Step 2: Attend a business exchange session
In order to submit your application to a business exchange program, you must attend a business exchange session hosted by the Alvarez Student Success Center. If you meet the eligibility for candidacy into the program, you will receive directions on how to move forward with your application. The session date/time will be shared with students who have open applications and will be posted in RowdyLink and our college calendar.
Step 3: Complete the UTSA Application
After attending the session hosted by the Alvarez Student Success Center, you will receive instructions on when your application will be available for full submission. You will have the opportunity to decide whether you want to continue moving forward in the process and confirm your participation.
Step 4: Complete the Host University Application
After you confirm your participation in the program, the Alvarez Student Success Center will submit your nomination to the host university. The nomination will let the host university know that you are interested in attending their university through our business exchange program. You will then receive email details directly from the host university on how to complete their application process. Make sure to review their emails and submit all required documents by the specified deadline dates.
Step 5: Prepare All Necessary Documentation and Meetings
After receiving your official acceptance letter from the host university, you will be able to begin preparing all the necessary documentation to get you ready for your experience. This will include officially completing your Credit Verification Form, obtaining your visa, Study Abroad Financial Aid Form, arranging your airfare and housing and completing the mandatory pre-departure orientation hosted by the Education Abroad office, among other things. Don’t worry! You have the support of the Student Success Center staff along the way to keep you on track!
The credit transfer approvals will be confirmed on the Credit Verification Form (CVF). You will receive guidance from the Alvarez Student Success Center during the business exchanges session on how to complete the CVF.
- FULL-TIME STATUS: Credit equivalency is dependent on what is approved on the Credit Verification Form. You must take the equivalent of a minimum of 12 credit hours abroad for undergraduates or nine credit hours for graduates.
Step 6: Return to UTSA and share your experience!
We are glad that you are back…and we want to know all about it! Upon your return, you will receive resources on how to best reflect on your experience.
To participate in an Alvarez College of Business Exchange Program, you must:
- Have a minimum undergraduate GPA of 2.5 or graduate GPA of 3.0
- Attend UTSA for at least one full semester after participating in an exchange program
- Complete at least 30 credit hours of undergraduate study or 9 credit hours for graduate students
- Must be a declared business major or actively enrolled graduate student
- Must have credit space available to take a minimum of 12 applicable credit hours abroad for undergraduates or nine applicable credit hours for graduates.
Tuition Cost
- Pay UTSA Tuition (*15 credits)
- Pay UTSA mandatory study abroad fees
*Please note that the standard cost is equivalent to 15 credit hours. Visit the study abroad website for more information on the Exchanges policy.
Additional Expenses To Consider
- Airfare (round trip)
- Food/meals
- Housing
- Visa fees
Funding
Consider applying to the International Education Fund and the Gilman Scholarship. The Gilman Scholarship is a study abroad scholarship that provides students with an opportunity to study, intern or complete service abroad with awards of up to $5,000. Attend a Gilman Scholarship information session for more information or visit the Office of Nationally Competitive Awards.
Make sure to also submit your Study Abroad Financial Aid Request Form to One Stop at least four weeks prior to your study abroad departure. More UTSA Study Abroad Funding Tips.
Contact the Financial Aid office for details on applying for scholarships for your semester abroad.
Health Insurance
As part of your study abroad process, you will be automatically enrolled under the UTSA international travel accident and sickness insurance. Student International Travel Accident and Sickness Policy is through On Call International, insured by HDI Specialty.
Visit the Education Abroad Resources and Tips website for more information on health insurance.
Passports
All students participating in an exchange program are required to have a valid passport. It is recommended that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond the intended period of stay.
Transcripts
Transcripts may take several weeks to be received and processed. This may delay graduation for graduating seniors who studied abroad during their final term.
Visas
You are responsible for confirming if your exchange destination requires a visa and taking the necessary steps to submit information with the respective embassy.
Visit the Education Abroad Resources and Tips on the Education Abroad website for more information.
The exchange programs listed above are through partners specialized for business students and managed by the Alvarez Student Success Center. You also have the option to search for other exchange programs through the UTSA Education Abroad Office.
If you are studying through a UTSA exchange program other than the programs listed above and would like to get guidance from the Alvarez Student Success Center email cobexp.learning@utsa.edu
