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Faculty of Liberal Arts & Professional Studies (LA&PS)
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Go Abroad

Don’t just learn about the world – experience it!  While completing your undergraduate degree, you can travel outside of Canada with an opportunity that involves active immersion in another country.  LA&PS  is committed to offering exciting study-abroad experiences to help you grow and discover the world.

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Academic Exchange

Earn credits toward your degree at one of York’s 120+ international partner institutions in more than 40 countries.

Summer Abroad

Spend your summer months studying at York and then abroad with your classmates and a York professor at a partner school.

Global Internships

Gain relevant job skills and apply what you’ve learned in your studies in an international, intercultural work environment.

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Las Nubes Summer Courses

The Las Nubes Project offers programs that give students an unprecedented opportunity to interact with and learn from the local rural Costa Rican communities through first-hand lessons on tropical ecology, sustainability, indigenous education, arts, health, and conservation.

International Bachelor of Arts (iBA)

Prepare for success in the global workforce. With this unique bachelor’s degree, you’ll get exposure to international points of view and experiences, learn a new language and complete a term abroad.

Practicums, Trips & Conferences

Consider completing your practicum requirement abroad, take advantage of an overseas field trip or take the opportunity to present at an international conference. Check out the funding and experience options through LA&PS and other sources.

YU Affiliated External Opportunities

Explore all the opportunities to go abroad – whether you plan to study, volunteer or intern – with an external group that’s affiliated with York University.

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Globally Networked Learning

Bringing together researchers, instructors and students from around the world, this exciting program builds rich cultural connections while creating a platform for shared learning experiences.

Funding Opportunities for Study Abroad

Hoping to add a global experience to your studies but lack the finances? One option may be the LA&PS International Study Abroad Award. Find out all the application details, including eligible programs, deadlines and award amounts.

Frequently Asked Questions

Study abroad is a learning activity that’s completed internationally – outside York University – for academic credits or experience. LA&PS students can get involved in a variety of ways: enrolling in a YorkU Summer Study Abroad course, participating in a short-term study abroad course at York’s Las Nubes campus, or applying for an exchange program. Non-credit opportunities, such as global internships, provide students with an international learning experience.

While having the travel experience of a lifetime, you will:

  • Gain critical thinking skills
  • Build global networks
  • Improve your language and linguistic proficiency
  • Become a globally minded citizen ready to operate in an increasingly globalized society
  • Learn about yourself in relation to your studies
  • Get exposure to intercultural learning and an increased understanding of cultures

Every undergraduate LA&PS student (Canadian or international) in good academic standing can participate. International Bachelor of Arts (iBA) students must study abroad on an academic exchange.

Yes. Students who work and study simultaneously can enroll in a summer study abroad course. Other options include taking an experiential trip through a York course or customizing your own experience through a Letter of Permission.

  • For academic exchange, LA&PS students should generally apply during their second year to study abroad during their third year. The other study abroad options, including Academic Exchange, YorkU Summer Abroad courses, and global internships, are available to any student at any time, provided they meet the requirements.
  • Keep in mind that the York University semester may differ from the structure at a university abroad. Allow sufficient time to return, complete administrative procedures and receive academic credit for your expected graduation date.

Yes. English is the language of instruction at many of York’s partner universities; others offer intensive language training before or during the semester to improve your language skills (by planning ahead, you could start language training in your first year and then enhance it through immersion abroad in a later year). Specific language requirements are noted on each university’s program website.

Except for language courses, all YorkU Abroad courses (summer study abroad and Las Nubes courses) are taught in English . York International Internship Placements also have many positions that do not require knowledge of another language.

Yes. Partial funding of up to $500 is available for approved York International programs such as exchanges, internships and summer abroad courses. LA&PS offers funding of up to $1,500 through the LA&PS International Study Abroad Award, depending on program type, duration, and location.

Check out our Funding page for more information.

There are many ways to learn about current opportunities and past student experiences:

  • View our Go Abroad and Summer Abroad webpages.
  • Attend Study Abroad or Exchange information sessions.
  • Contact the Study Abroad Coordinator, Katie Gribbons, at katiegr@yorku.ca.

If you are granted a Letter of Permission (which costs $50 per institution per term) by the Office of the University Registrar, you may enrol at another university abroad and have up to 18 credits transferred toward your York degree or certificate. For details, contact Katie Gribbons, Study Abroad Coordinator, at katiegr@yorku.ca.

Depending on the type of program you are enrolled in, costs may include:

  • Program fee (including accommodations, transportation, some meals, and excursions or field activities)
  • Tuition (paid directly to York University as per other courses)
  • Professor-related costs

Hear from our students!

Last semester, I was fortunate to take part in an exchange program through York International to the National University of Singapore. This was a very rewarding experience and helped me gain a global perspective and become more open-minded. As an exchange student, I was able to gain more perspective from various orientation events and gained a cross-cultural understanding of various experiences by meeting different people.

— Noorin Pattni
BA, International Development Studies and Psychology, ‘21

My Hong Kong exchange is an experience that has not only shaped me as person in terms of experiencing Chinese culture first hand, as well as improve my Chinese, which I had been learning for 8 years.

— Jamie Rudberg
Academic Exchange at the University of Hong Kong

I was amazed at how many opportunities they were and in how many different countries these opportunities were. There were many that were directly related to my field, Political Science, such as NGOS, embassies and think tanks.

— Peter Szczyglowski
BA, Political Science