| Exchange | Direct Enroll | Provider | Short-Term | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Description | Exchange programs involve the reciprocal exchange of students between Illinois and our partner institutions abroad. | Direct Enroll programs refer to students from Illinois who enroll directly as non-degree seeking international students at our partner institutions abroad. | Providers are organizations (colleges or universities, nonprofit organizations, for-profit businesses, or consortiums) that offer education abroad programs and services to students from a variety of institutions. | Short-term programs are Illinois courses that are led and taught by either Illinois faculty or professional staff. Traditionally, these programs are brief in duration and take place during academic breaks. |
| Duration | Semester/Summer | Semester/Summer | Semester/Summer | Winter Break/Spring Break/Summer |
| Cost | $ | $$ | $$$ | $$$ |
| Taught By | Local Professors | Local Professors | Local Professors/Hired Instructors | Illinois Faculty/Staff Member |
| Level of On-Site Support | Moderate | Moderate | Maximum | Maximum |
| Housing With | Local/International Students | Local/International Students | US Study Abroad Students | Illinois Students |
| Housing Types | Dorm, Homestay, Apartment | Dorm, Homestay, Apartment | Dorm, Homestay, Apartment | Dorm, Hotel |
| Classes With | Local Students | Local/US Study Abroad Students | Local/US Study Abroad Students | Illinois Students |
| Ideal for students who… | -Have high financial need or are on a budget -Want to be fully immersed in their host culture -Are interested in meeting students from all over the world | -Are independent and willing to seek out support services on their own -Want to be fully immersed in their host culture -Are interested in meeting students from all over the world. | -Can choose a program that has a higher cost -Value personalized and robust support services and programming. -Want to build close relationships with students in their cohort. | -Want to take a specific course taught by an Illinois faculty/staff member -Can’t fit a semester of study abroad into their academic plan -Want to build close relationships with Illini in their cohort. |
Not all programs within each type will have every option, and it’s possible that some programs may be different than the categorizations described. To explore further, do a program search.