Study abroad for a year or semester while earning resident credit towards your major, minor or general education requirements.
SF State Bilateral Programs
The Office of International Programs offers study abroad programs in over 20 countries throughout the world, in every academic discipline at SF State.
Bilateral Partner Programs
- Brunel University UK: Industrial Design
- Chung Yuan Christian University (Taiwan): Visual Communication Design
- Stuttgart Media University (Germany): Visual Communication Design
- Swinburne University of Technology (Australia): Industrial Design and Visual Communication Design (program on hold, contact Division of International Education for more information)
- Technology University Dublin (UK): Industrial Design and Visual Communication Design
- University of Technology, Sydney (Australia): Industrial Design and Visual Communication Design
- Universidad de Monterrey (Mexico): Industrial Design and Visual Communication Design
California State University International Programs
The International Programs (IP) was established by the CSU Board of Trustees in 1963 as the study abroad program of The California State University system.
Visit CSU International Programs Website
Partner Programs
- Tecnológico de Monterrey (Mexico): Visual Communication Design/Graphic Design
Non-Certified, Outside, or Vendor Exchange Partners
The following are universities we work with but do not yet have an “official” partnered study abroad option.
- Hochschule Neu-Ulm University (HNU) Ulm, Germany
- Holon Institute of Technology Holon, Israel
- Les Ateliers-Paris Design Institute (ENSCI) Paris, France
- National Taiwan University of Science and Technology (NTUST)
- The Language Flagship
The SF State Chinese Flagship Program is an exciting initiative for undergraduate students seeking careers related to China and the Chinese-speaking world.
Visit SF State Chinese Flagship website
Contact
Hsiao-Yun Chu, Study Abroad Advisor for incoming students (from abroad, currently at SFSU)
Phone: (415) 338-2430
E-mail: hychu@sfsu.edu
Ricardo Gomes, Study Abroad Advisor for outgoing students (from SFSU, going abroad)
Phone: (415) 338-2229
E-mail: ricgomes@sfsu.edu
Who organizes the study abroad programs from the university side?
The Division of International Education. https://international.sfsu.edu/studyabroad DoIE offers assistance on the practical side of the study abroad experience (visas, financing, scholarships, etc.). DoIE also accepts your applications for study abroad.
Who is the study abroad coordinator for the department?
Prof. Ricardo Gomes advises SF State students going abroad ricgomes@sfsu..edu Prof. Hsiao-Yun Chu advises incoming students from partner universities hychu@sfsu.edu
When should I plan to study abroad?
You can apply to the program during your first year of study in DES. You will study abroad during your second year of study. Graduating seniors, first semester DES students, and graduate students are generally not eligible to study abroad.
What study abroad programs are available?
See above.
What courses should I take while studying abroad?
You should make an appointment to discuss this with the study abroad coordinator, who will advise you on this. (Ricardo Gomes, see above)
Will I be able to fulfill ALL my major requirements by studying abroad?
You can fulfill the majority of your required studios and electives while abroad. However, your GWAR class (DES 324) and your capstone class (DES 505) will have to be taken stateside. Most students take DES 324 before they go abroad, and DES 505 when they return from study abroad.
Will I be able to fulfill my upper division GE requirements while abroad?
You may be able to fulfill all or part of your upper division/GE requirements while studying abroad. Make an appt with Undergraduate Advising Center to discuss. https://advising.sfsu.edu/
Can I study abroad for just one semester?
Most of our bilateral partners prefer that you commit to their program for one year. A few students have studied abroad for one semester in the past; but most choose to study abroad for 1 year.
Do you have study abroad programs for both Product and VisComm majors?
Yes.
How can I graduate with my study abroad classes?
Your grades from classes taken abroad will be translated into U.S. letter grades and added to your transcript. You will be given credit for the classes you took abroad on your DES roadmap. When you graduate, you will list the courses you took both at SF State and during study abroad, and you will hand in your graduation application just like everybody else.
How can I get more information about study abroad?
Please attend an informational session organized by the DoIE and watch their informational video. They will give you a great deal of basic information. https://international.sfsu.edu/studyabroad
I have questions about financing my study abroad experience. Whom should I contact?
Attend a session organized by DoIE (see website above)
I have questions about which courses to take while studying abroad. Whom should I contact?
Prof. Gomes