International Studies and Programs

General Information

UMSL Global supports academic programs, seminars, and conferences designed to promote research in international studies, improve teaching of international studies, and encourage an interest in international affairs in the university and community.

UMSL Global houses the E. Desmond Lee Global Ethnic Collaborative, the Karakas Family Foundation Alliance for the Advancement of Hellenic Studies, and endowed professorships in African/African American studies, Chinese studies, Greek studies, International Education, Irish studies, and Japanese studies. UMSL Global is also home to the German Culture Center and Nicholas and Theodora Matsakis Hellenic Culture Center.  The Culture Centers and endowed professorships play a vital role in making internationally-focused conferences, lectures, seminars, and performances to accessible to UMSL students and the wider St. Louis community.

Supporting the international research efforts of UMSL faculty is a central mission of UMSL Global. The International Fellowship Program is designed to strengthen UMSL’s internationalization efforts by supporting international travel for conferences, research, and creative endeavors through one-time investments. The program aims to benefit all faculty who are traveling to engage in or present research/creative outputs that are international in scope and who may need to supplement their funding.

Study Abroad and Exchange Programs

The Study Abroad section of this Bulletin contains details about campus study abroad and international exchange programs. Those programs are administered by UMSL Global's Study Abroad team.

International Student and Scholar Services

International Student and Scholar Services (ISSS) provides services for international students and scholars, including admissions, visa and immigration matters, credential evaluations, health insurance, tax matters, nonacademic advising, initial campus arrival, orientation, social activities, and referrals to other campus units.

International Partnerships

The University of Missouri-St. Louis maintains a number of academic partnerships around the world. These range from joint research initiatives and consulting agreements to faculty and student exchanges. UMSL Global maintains data on these agreements and serves as the university’s main point of contact for all international academic collaborations.

Study Abroad and Exchange Programs

The University of Missouri-St. Louis is committed to broadening students' understanding of different cultures and preparing them for the global community in which we live. One of the most successful ways of achieving this global mindset is to study overseas. The opportunity to live and study in a different culture is an enriching experience, both academically and personally.

UMSL Global (formerly The Office of International Studies and Programs) provides UMSL students of nearly any major the opportunity  to study around the globe. Most programs run for an academic year, semester, or summer. Two to three week-long faculty-led programs are offered during the winter intersession and summer. Through individual advising, students can find the program best suited to their personal, academic, and career goals.

Fees and Financial Aid

The cost of the program depends on the type of program, the services provided and the country of study. For most programs, participants continue to pay UMSL fees plus airfare, room and board, and spending money. Students studying abroad for a semester or more are usually housed in dormitories or are assisted in finding apartments. In most cases, students are able to use their UMSL financial aid toward a study abroad program. Study abroad scholarships are available for qualified applicants through UMSL Global.

Application

Applications are generally due in mid-February (summer, fall and academic year programs) and mid-September (winter intersession and spring programs). Students should plan to spend at least one or two months researching a program before applying.

Participant selection is based on academic achievement, faculty recommendations, departmental/divisional approval of the proposed course of study, and for some programs, proficiency in the foreign language of instruction. Most programs are designed for undergraduate students in their sophomore to senior years of study; however, a limited number of programs for freshmen and graduate students are available.