UTSA First Year Global Experience Summer Programs

UTSA has collaborated with Academic Programs International (API) and WorldStrides to offer programs for first year students to study abroad in the summer. These programs are open to all students but were specifically curated for first year students to help them complete core curriculum or free elective courses while gaining global experience, intercultural communication skills, and building their resumes.*

There are three custom program options to choose from in Costa Rica, Greece, and Spain.

Program Offerings:

UTSA First Year Global Experience in San Jose, Costa Rica

UTSA First Year Global Experience in Athens, Greece

UTSA First Year Global Experience in Sevilla, Spain

Reasons to choose a UTSA First Year Global Experience Summer Program:

• Earn 3-6 credit hours in just 4-5 weeks
• Affordable housing options with some options including 2-3 meals a day in program fee
• Enhance your language and communication skills
• Develop key skills for your career such as adaptability, global awareness, and problem solving
• Studies show 97% of students who study abroad find employment within 12 months of graduation and 25% earn higher salaries than their peers (CIEE.org, 2025).
• Enjoy planned excursions so you can travel and meet other students studying abroad
• If you are receiving academic credit for this program, you can apply your financial aid to this opportunity
• Special, dedicated scholarships for these programs (automatically given to students who apply to the IEF or Gilman)
• Most providers have their own scholarships, which you may be able to add on top of any other funding you receive

*It is important to meet with your academic advisor to determine how the academic coursework may apply to your UTSA degree.