University of Wisconsin–Madison

Major Advising Page – Information Science

Information Science is a global field. Studying abroad is an opportunity to gain a global perspective and understanding of technology, data, and information. Computing, data, and information technologies have become an integral part of our world, and communicating across cultures is essential to tackling the technologically complex and information-rich questions facing society.

Prospective Information Science students

The Information Science major is designed to be customizable, and thus, students can integrate a study abroad experience during their academic career.
If you are interested in majoring in Information Science and studying abroad, we encourage you to start learning about the study abroad process.

Here are some ways to get started:

Once you understand the basics, take a deeper dive into your options and:

Once you have some ideas, be sure to consult with your Information Science advisor. It is encouraged to declare the major prior to studying abroad. The more complex your undergraduate program is (the number of additional majors or certificates, athletic or other heavy extracurricular involvement, etc.) the more you will need to plan in advance to fit study abroad in your academic career.

Information Science course considerations abroad

Though the structure of the Information Science major is flexible with many course options, careful planning can ensure you are on track for completing major requirements.
Information Science students need to keep in mind that at least 15 credits of work in the major need to be completed on campus. Beyond that, there are no requirements for particular coursework you need to take at UW-Madison versus abroad.

There are courses abroad that may transfer back as LIS special topics courses rather than being a direct equivalent to a UW-Madison course.

  • LIS 340: Topics in Information Studies – Social Aspects
  • LIS 341:Topics in Information Studies – Technological Aspects
  • LIS 640: Topics in Library and Information Studies

These special topics courses may be eligible to count towards fulfilling major requirements. Please contact your Information Science advisor with any questions.

Participating in career development, an internship, and/or community engagement is an important part of the Information Science major. Students can meet this requirement abroad. To learn more about study abroad intern opportunities, please visit Intern Abroad.

Mapping your study abroad experience as an Information Science major

Although junior year is the most popular time to study abroad, students also go during their sophomore or senior years, or during summer or winter break. If you are pursuing another major or a certificate, it will be important for you to work with all of your program advisors on the timing.

If you decide to go during your senior year, make sure that your program will fulfill all of your remaining academic requirements. Remember: studying abroad in your final senior semester may cause you to miss your UW-Madison graduation ceremony because semester-end dates vary from country to country.

Also, keep in mind that a lot of post-graduation recruitment in tech happens in the fall of your senior year. Going abroad in my senior year will mean doing most of this remotely. Please contact SuccessWorks with any questions.

Questions to ask

Your Academic Advisor

  • What classes should I take here at UW-Madison, both for the major and my degree?
  • Do I need to be on UW-Madison’s campus for any courses in my major?
  • How many electives do I have outside of my major?

Your Study Abroad Advisor

  • What classes can I take abroad?
  • How and when do I select courses for my program?
  • When will I know course equivalents for my program?
  • What is the class structure like abroad?

Hear from students in your major

Explore student blogs and reflections to see how your peers have connected international experiences to their studies. Discover real stories about the skills, challenges, and professional insights gained through our programs.

Identifying programs that are right for you

There are many different study abroad programs available to you. The list below is not exhaustive but is demonstrative of programs that offer information science courses. Note that programs vary in their course offerings, language of instruction, duration, and cost. Due to the iSci major’s flexibility, some students have opted to take Information Science coursework abroad, and others have not. Courses offered as part of these programs may not be guaranteed to be the best fit for you, depending on where you are in the major. If you don’t have major requirements you need to fulfill abroad or if you have the capacity to complete them on campus, you have more flexibility in your program choice. There may be other programs that better align with your goals and interests. To explore all study abroad programs, visit the Program Search page.

Asia

Europe

North America

Oceania

International Internships

International internships are another way to gain valuable professional experience abroad while earning course credit. Study abroad programs marked with an asterisk (*) above include a required or optional internship alongside your coursework.

Some internships abroad can also fulfill the Career/Community/Internship requirement for the Information Science major. The opportunities listed below include the internship course International Studies 523, which will meet this requirement. These are UW Signature Internships, which are generally offered in spring and summer terms and are developed exclusively for Badgers.

Search All Programs

Research all programs using the Program Search page. The above is not an exhaustive list of all programs that offer Information Science courses.  There may be other programs that are a better fit for your individual needs or interests.

Colleges and Schools