Students are required to maintain adequate health insurance coverage at all times while abroad. In order to meet the California State University (CSU) requirements for health insurance on an SDSU study abroad program, students must purchase the appropriate insurance for their program type. Domestic or alternate insurance plans will not be accepted for participation in SDSU-sponsored programs.

International living conditions vary widely from those in the United States and students should therefore be prepared to adapt to the host country's standards and environments.  SDSU Study Abroad provides information to students on any required program accommodation or the available housing options, but cannot take responsibility for housing offered by host institutions or independent programs.

General Eligibility 

All students are considered academically eligible to apply if they have the appropriate class level, minimum cumulative GPA required (as well as any program-specific prerequisite classes), and are in good academic standing at SDSU.  All applications are reviewed individually and each student’s full academic record is taken into consideration, along with any required faculty recommendations and personal statement.

GPA requirements 

The minimum cumulative GPA required varies by program and can range between 2.00 and 3.50. Applicants should look closely at the GPA indicated in the program profile. Meeting the listed minimum cumulative GPA does not ensure acceptance into the program. Students who apply with a low cumulative or SDSU GPA are considered on a case-by-case basis. Preference is given to those students who have an upward trend in their GPA and demonstrated strong work in the subjects they plan to take when abroad.

International students 

International degree-seeking students are eligible as long as they can attain the required visa to study in the host country.

DACA students

Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) students are eligible and encouraged to participate in approved SDSU study abroad programs.  Students in DACA status may study abroad with advance parole citing "educational purposes" such as semester abroad programs.  This will require planning, applying for advance parole, and awareness of potential risks.

Disciplinary Probation 

Students on disciplinary probation will only be considered if their probation will end by the beginning of the study abroad program. Students are allowed to apply for a study abroad program if they are on probation, but they must satisfy the requirements of that probation prior to the program start date. Students should speak to a study abroad advisor about their specific case to clarify restrictions or potential exceptions.

The application and selection process varies by each program type.  

For SDSU Exchange programs, students must first submit a preliminary application in the Aztecs Abroad database.  That application is reviewed by SDSU Study Abroad staff and qualified applicants will be issued a nomination.  Students who are nominated must then apply to the host university, which will issue an acceptance letter.  Most students who receive a SDSU nomination are later accepted by the host university.

For CSU International Programs, ISEP, and Independent programs, students must first submit a preliminary application in the Aztecs Abroad database.  That application is reviewed by SDSU Study Abroad staff and qualified applicants will be issued a nomination.  Students must also submit an external application directly to the program provider.

For Faculty-Led study abroad programs offered by the College of Extedned Studies (CES), students can locate information in the Aztecs Abroad database, but applications are only submitted in the CES online system.

The California State University (CSU) system requires that all study abroad students are provided crucial health and safety information through a mandatory pre-departure orientation. Preparation is critical to students having a healthy and safe experience studying abroad. The orientation provides recommendations to have a healthy experience while also staying physically safe. Many online resources are emphasized to assist students.

All students must take personal responsibility for their own health and safety at all times during their travel. The SDSU Study Abroad office provides various programming prior to departure to assist students in their preparations.  The university cannot guarantee health and safety nor assume responsibility for any personal injury or property damage.

International degree-seeking students at SDSU are encouraged to pursue study abroad opportunities as a way to further internationalize their profile.  However, international students cannot study in their home country...

All students must review and electronically sign a participant agreement and liability waiver as part of their study abroad application.  By signing, students confirm they understand and agree to the conditions of participation in the SDSU Study Abroad Program.

The SDSU Study Abroad office can provide general advice and assistance in the process of applying for visas, but the office is not responsible for completing and submitting student's visa applications.  When nominated and accepted into a program, students can access information on the visa application from the host country's embassy or consulate website here in the United States.

For SDSU Exchange programs, students should inform the SDSU Study Abroad office immediately if and when they decide to withdraw prior to departure.  The office will make every effort to accommodate students needing to withdraw for unanticipated financial, family and personal matters.  However, if the study abroad semester has officially begun, the student may be responsible for SDSU tuition and fees or costs incurred by the host university on the student's behalf. 

For CSU-IP, ISEP and independent programs, students may be responsible to pay applications fees, program deposits or other fees if they withdraw.  SDSU Study Abroad is not responsible for fees paid to any external program provider or organization.

Due to California State University (CSU) executive order, SDSU has installed a process for approving specific independent programs that complement other SDSU and CSU programs offerings.  Many factors or criteria are taken into account including accreditation of Host University, affordability, applicability of financial aid, policies of the program provider, and support provided to students.

Students may submit a petition in the Aztecs Abroad database to be considered for a non-approved program. A campus committee will consider multiple factors, including but not limited to academic appropriateness, safety and security, financial aid, and program distinctiveness.  The petition may take 4 to 6 weeks to be reviewed and a decision reached.

The SDSU Study Abroad office can facilitate the process of students identifiyng courses at host institutions and programs, but the office cannot offer academic approval to satisfy graduation requirements.  All students should take course descriptions and information to their academic advisors for review.  When students are nominated for a program, they will have access to the SDSU Acadmeic Approval Form on which specific study abroad courses can be approved by major, minor and general academic advisors.

The SDSU Study Abroad office cannot guarantee availability of any courses on any program.  If students encounter any changes to course schedules, then they may communicate with their SDSU academic advisors when officially enrolling in courses abroad to receive tentative approval.

At the conclusion of a study abroad program, the host university or program provider will send each student's official transcript to the SDSU Office of Advising & Evaluations.  It is always the student's responsibility to follow-up and ensure his/her transcript is received and processed prior to graduation.  Students should note that the time frame in which transcripts are received from abroad does not follow the on-campus academic calendar. Typically, transcripts are received from abroad between one and four months following the completion of the academic program abroad. Students, who intend to apply for scholarships, or graduate programs, should keep this time frame in mind at the time of application for study abroad.