About UW Study Abroad
International Academic Programs (IAP) is a unit of the UW-Madison International Division, making study abroad and domestic study away possible for students from diverse backgrounds in all majors and academic levels. IAP works in partnership with the International Education & Study Abroad office in the College of Agricultural and Life Sciences to administer programs and follow the same policies, procedures, and best practices.
Our Mission
International Academic Programs, in the International Division, serves as a comprehensive resource for credit-bearing academic experiences worldwide.
International Academic Programs collaborates with academic units to develop and deliver safe, accessible, and high-quality study abroad programs that foster students’ academic, personal, & professional growth.
Our Values
- Study abroad is integral to the learning experience at UW-Madison.
- By fostering global citizenship, study abroad advances the Wisconsin Idea on campus, throughout the state and in communities all around the world.
- All students deserve access to affordable study abroad programs that meet their personal and academic goals.
A variety of program options—over 200 programs in more than 60 countries—have been developed to address the diverse needs of UW-Madison students. Programs vary in length, level, academic focus, teaching format, language requirements, and cost. Each program is expected to meet the University’s high academic standards and to integrate with the on-campus curriculum.
IAP’s goal is to remove the financial barriers to study abroad for UW-Madison students and to make study abroad accessible to all students. As an auxiliary unit, IAP receives no additional funding from the state or university to administer its programs and operates its budget on a cost recovery basis. Learn more about funding study abroad.
Our Commitment to Diversity
International Academic Programs is committed to providing quality study abroad and domestic study away programs for every UW-Madison student. We work strategically to identify, address, and remove barriers that may prevent participation and to provide a welcoming and inclusive environment for students. Our staff actively engages with students, faculty, and staff from diverse backgrounds and prioritizes the continuous development of our knowledge and cultural competence. IAP also recognizes the importance of increasing access to study abroad for historically underrepresented student populations. We are committed to diversity and inclusion so that every student can engage with and understand their identity through a new lens and continue to develop and make progress on their personal, professional, and academic goals.
Our Commitment to Service
IAP is dedicated to providing excellent support and service to equip our students with the tools to succeed as leaders in an interconnected world. Our comprehensive services compliment outstanding programs. By offering a full range of professional guidance and resources, in cooperation with academic and administrative units on and off campus, we commit to:
- manage academic partnerships with foreign universities and study abroad organizations,
- program development and management,
- marketing & recruitment,
- student advising,
- application & acceptance process management,
- registration and pre-departure services,
- evaluation and assessment,
- student financial planning,
- grade & credit articulation,
- emergency response, and
- student support before, during & after program.