International Experiences For The College Of Health And Human Services
The CHHS Undergraduate International Experience provides students with an opportunity to learn beyond the classroom. Visiting a foreign country offers a chance for students to gain exciting and new knowledge, resulting in a life-changing experience that is beneficial to students’ education and careers.
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, any student graduating in or before August 2025 is eligible for an international requirement waiver. A list of approved alternative courses have been curated for students to choose from. Students graduating through August 2025 may choose one of the approved courses to satisfy their international requirement in place of an international program if they prefer.
It is never too early to start planning for your international experience. Meet with your academic major advisor and the CHHS Global Education Advisor early and often to ensure proper planning, especially if you are interested in a full semester study abroad program. You can search all SDSU-approved programs using the Aztecs Abroad database.
For further information, utilize the links below:
- Your International Advisor - Kelsey Easterly, [email protected]
- Global Education Office
Study Abroad Process Checklist
- Passport: Make sure you have a valid passport, you will need it in order to travel internationally. You can apply at the SDSU Passport Office right on campus! NOTE: If you are an international student,check your home country’s website regarding renewing passports if needed.
- Finance & Scholarships: Check out tips on how to manage your money during travel, receive financial aid and apply for scholarships.
- Health & Safety: Learn what you need to know about managing your health and staying safe while abroad.
- Diversity, Identity & Culture: Learn about issues of diversity, identity and culture.
- Events: See what is happening in Global Education! GEO hosts lots of events to help students in every stage of their international education journey.
- Explore: Read about SDSU students’ experiences abroad on the BeInternational Blog
Students should speak with the Housing Office EARLY about their plans to study abroad and inquire about the process for requesting a release from their housing commitment/lease for study abroad. They can be reached at [email protected] or 619-594-5742
In recognition of the SDSU Shared Vision goal of a global university and increasing globalization in all sectors of the world and within societies, the College of Health and Human Services international experience for undergraduate students has been established. All College of Health and Human Services undergraduate majors (Social Work, Public Health, Nursing, Speech, Language and Hearing Sciences, and Exercise and Nutritional Sciences – this includes all transfer students and first-year students) are required to participate in a pre-approved international experience to increase awareness of cross-cultural issues, including global health, economic, political, cultural, and social perspectives abroad.
The CHHS Undergraduate International Experience provides students with an opportunity to learn beyond the classroom. Visiting a foreign country offers a chance for students to gain exciting and new knowledge, resulting in a life-changing experience.
The international requirement basic requirements are as follows:
- Complete a “Travel Component” - this can be abroad, virtual or an approved “global” course that takes place in San Diego county
- Program must be a minimum of 2 weeks (some 9-day SDSU Instructor-Led programs accepted)
Students must receive academic credit
NOTE: As of fall 2020, international students and active military are not required to travel internationally as part of their international requirement. They must only enroll in and successfully complete the HHS 350 online course to fulfill their international requirement for graduation.
If you have legal, religious or health-related barriers that prevent you from traveling internationally, please contact the CHHS Global Education Advisor.
CHHS students can satisfy their international requirement in multiple ways
SDSU Aztecs Abroad is a database maintained by SDSU’s main Study Abroad Office, most of which will satisfy the CHHS International Requirement. Find your program today!
There are many programs available in which students can take courses abroad and earn academic credit to satisfy various SDSU requirements.
- Full semester abroad programs (exchange or direct/partner program)
- Short-term faculty-led Global Seminars during summer/winter break
- Summer or winter break programs through partner programs
- Transborder courses taught through SDSU with weekly site visits in Baja California.
Interested in participating in an independent international volunteer, internship, or service-learning program over winter or summer break?
- Therapy Abroad (You can also find information on Aztecs Abroad )
- Child Family Health International
- SDSU, API, ISEP or SIT internships
- Study in Portugal Network SIPN
- Mundt Peace Fellowship
For those hoping to fulfill the international requirement closer to home, there are other options available!
- Virtual International Program options
- Global courses through SDSU within San Diego county - coming soon!
To learn more about program types, visit the Aztecs Abroad page outlining the differences in program options.
International experience for ENS students
Semester-Long Exchange Program Options for ENS Students
Students can choose from a number of SDSU Exchange programs. The best time to go abroad for a semester:
- Foods & Nutrition: Semester programs are difficult with course requirements. Meet with your major advisor and the CHHS GEO advisor for assistance in planning if you are interested in a full semester abroad. Please note it may delay your graduation by one semester.
- Fitness Specialist or Exercise Generalist: Any time Junior year when physiology is done (BIO 336)
- Pre-Physical Therapy: Any time Junior year when physiology is done (BIO 336)
Strong Kinesiology programs in the UK, Australia, New Zealand, Spain (in Spanish), France (in French)
Short-Term Program Options for ENS
- SDSU Global Seminars – Summer or Winter Break
- HHS 350 9-Day Programs - Summer or Winter Break
- SDSU Global Internship in Healthcare in Oaxaca, Mexico - Summer
- Summer or Winter Break Partner or Direct Enroll Programs
- Therapy Abroad Sports Science or Pre-PT/OT program - Summer or Winter Break
- Health and Human Services Volunteering through CFHI - Summer or Winter Break
- API or ISEP Internship programs
- Mundt Peace Fellowship
Due to accreditation requirements, nursing students may not take nursing courses abroad. Doing a semester abroad will delay your graduation at least one semester.
Some short-term programs that complement the nursing program are
- SDSU Global Seminars – Summer or Winter Break
- HHS 350 9-Day Programs - Summer or Winter Break
- SDSU Global Internship in Healthcare in Oaxaca, Mexico - Summer
- Summer or Winter Break Partner or Direct Enroll Programs
- Health and Human Services Volunteering through CFHI - Summer or Winter Break
- API or ISEP Internship programs
- Mundt Peace Fellowship
Many nursing students participate in Students HEAL and travel as part of the students organization to satisfy their international requirement.
Students HEAL (Health & Education Abroad through Leadership) is a non-profit organization comprised of a select group of dedicated San Diego State University Nursing Students and Physical Therapy Students.Each year, they partner up with like-minded non-profit organizations from around the globe with the sole mission of providing healthcare to those most in need.
Semester-Long Exchange Program Options for PH Students
The best time to go abroad for a semester is Sophomore year (3rd or 4th semester at SDSU):
- Prep for the major courses PH 101 & PH 290 need to be taken prior to studying abroad
Strong public health program locations include: Australia, New Zealand, Ghana, Hungary, Mexico, Ireland, Costa Rica, Spain (taught in Spanish), DIS Denmark or Sweden
Some short-term programs that complement the public health program:
- SDSU Global Seminars – Summer or Winter Break
- HHS 350 9-Day Programs - Summer or Winter Break
- SDSU Global Internship in Healthcare in Oaxaca, Mexico - Summer
- Summer or Winter Break Partner or Direct Enroll Programs
- Health and Human Services Volunteering through CFHI - Summer or Winter Break
- API or ISEP Internship programs
- Mundt Peace Fellowship
Public Health students may like to enroll in one of the Applied International Public Health embedded-courses in which they take a course at SDSU and travel for a week during spring break, or at the end of the semester.
Semester-Long Exchange Program Options for SW Students
The best time to go abroad for a semester is Sophomore year (3rd or 4th semester at SDSU):
- Prep for the major courses SW 110 & SW 120 need to be taken in San Diego during Freshman or Sophomore year, and prior to studying abroad.
Strong social work and gerontology program locations include: Hong Kong, Botswana, Germany, Ghana, New Zealand, Australia, Puerto Rico (in Spanish), Chile (in Spanish), Spain (in Spanish), the UK, South Korea, Singapore
Some short-term programs that complement the social work and gerontology programs:
- SDSU Global Seminars – Summer or Winter Break
- HHS 350 9-Day Programs - Summer or Winter Break
- SDSU Global Internship in Healthcare in Oaxaca, Mexico - Summer
- Summer or Winter Break Partner or Direct Enroll Programs
- Health and Human Services Volunteering through CFHI - Summer or Winter Break
- API or ISEP Internship programs
- Mundt Peace Fellowship
Social Work students can also use their required internship to satisfy the international requirement, as long as they are doing a transborder internship in Tijuana or another location in Baja California, and earning academic credit.
Semester-Long Exchange Program Options for SLHS Students
The best time to go abroad for a semester is Spring of Sophomore year (4th semester at SDSU):
- Prep for the major course SLHS 150 needs to be taken Spring Semester of Freshman year (2nd semester at SDSU)
Preferred/recommended semester exchange program opportunities: The UK, Australia, New Zealand, Spain (courses in Spanish), Canada
SLHS students can also study the fall semester of Senior year at University of Strathclyde in Scotland {Application instructions found HERE}.
**If SLHS students plan to only take GEs, they have lots of options for a study abroad semester.
Some short-term programs that complement the social work and gerontology programs:
- Therapy Abroad - Summer or Winter Break
- SDSU Global Seminars – Summer or Winter Break
- HHS 350 9-Day Programs - Summer or Winter Break
- SDSU Global Internship in Healthcare in Oaxaca, Mexico - Summer
- Summer or Winter Break Partner or Direct Enroll Programs
- Health and Human Services Volunteering through CFHI - Summer or Winter Break
- API or ISEP Internship programs
- Mundt Peace Fellowship
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