Start Your Illinois Tech Journey Abroad
The First Semester Study Abroad program is an exciting option for students who are admitted to Illinois Tech and want to begin their college experience with an immersive, supported study-abroad semester—all while staying fully enrolled at Illinois Tech.
Program Overview
First Semester Study Abroad allows a small cohort of admitted Illinois Tech first-year students to spend their first semester abroad at one of our partner institutions. Despite beginning their studies at another institution, students are considered Illinois Tech students academically and administratively.
Highlights include:
- Begin your college experience with a built-in cohort and global experience
- Stay on track academically with Illinois Tech-approved coursework
- Receive consistent support from both the visiting university and Illinois Tech
- Travel and transition abroad as a group, with staff guidance
Eligibility Requirements
To participate in First Semester Study Abroad, students must:
- Be admitted to Illinois Tech (required before participation)
- Confirm intent to participate by the program deadline (to be provided)
- Complete all required pre-departure orientation steps (virtual and in-person)
- Be academically eligible based on major/course alignment (details provided by your advisor)
- Maintain good standing with program while abroad
Please note: Because this is a cohort-based experience with coordinated travel and enrollment steps, space is limited.
Costs and Billing
Students in the First Semester Study Abroad program:
- Pay Illinois Tech tuition (as outlined for the program)
- Pay Illinois Tech housing (as outlined for the program)
- Won’t directly pay expenses for the partner institution; Illinois Tech coordinates payment with the partner institution
How It Works
Students who take part in the First Semester Study Abroad Program are considered Illinois Tech students and will take part in normal first-year student activities before traveling to their partner institution.
- Here is what students can expect as part of the program:
- Attend Illinois Tech Orientation, Move-In, and Welcome Week in Chicago
- Participate in pre-departure programming and travel abroad together
- Study abroad for the full first semester
- Receive on-site support from an Illinois Tech staff member in visiting country
- Return to Illinois Tech’s Chicago campus for the spring semester
What to Expect
During the summer before your first semester, you’ll receive and take part in:
- Virtual pre-departure orientations
- Virtual cohort meetups and community building
- Advising and course planning
- Travel preparation and required documentation support
During the first two weeks of the fall semester in Chicago, you’ll take part in:
- Illinois Tech Move-In
- Illinois Tech Orientation
- Welcome Week
- In-person cohort connection and preparation
During the pre-departure orientation, which will last approximately two weeks, you’ll learn about:
- Cultural readiness and expectations
- Safety, health, and logistics training
- Academic overview and support resources
- Cohort travel briefing and required steps
During your travel and then arrival to your host institution abroad, you’ll experience:
- Cohort departure from Illinois Tech campus to the airport together
- Group arrival at host institution
- One to two weeks of acclimation and settling in
Throughout your semester abroad, you will receive:
- On-site Illinois Tech staff support in host country
- Ongoing coordination with host university
- Student check-ins and cohort programming
During the spring semester, you’ll:
- Return to Illinois Tech in Chicago as a cohort
- Receive transition support and continued advising
Partner Institutions
Hanyang University (Seoul, South Korea)
Student Support and Safety
First Semester Study Abroad is designed to be structured and for you to be supported throughout.
The support that you will receive includes:
- An Illinois Tech staff member based in visiting country/at the host university for the duration of the semester
- Partner institution student services and orientation support
- Cohort-based travel and transition (students do not depart alone)
- Pre-departure preparation focused on success, safety, and adjustment
- Clear escalation pathways for urgent needs and emergencies
Learn More
Are you interested in First Semester Study Abroad?
- Confirm your Illinois Tech enrollment
- Attend a First Semester Study Abroad information session
- Submit your intent to participate by the deadline
- Complete required pre-departure steps
