Photo of a group of students in Quito, Ecuador

Study Abroad

The World is Your Classroom

In keeping with Soka’s mission, undergraduate students are required to study abroad for a semester during their third year at no extra cost. Your study abroad experience at a carefully selected program in your language of study will reinforce the habits and dispositions of a global citizen.

Languages of Study

Student at Binglingsi Grottoes in China

Chinese

If you are studying Chinese, you will have the opportunity to study abroad in a number of cities in China or Taipei, Taiwan. 

Image of student with two children in Dakar, Senegal.

French

If you are studying French, you will have the opportunity to study abroad in a number of cities in France or Dakar, Senegal. 

Soka University student on study abroad in Kobe, Japan

Japanese

If you are studying Japanese, you will have the opportunity to study abroad at a number of universities in Japan, including Soka University of Japan. 

Ting jumping in front of Moray in Peru

Spanish

If you are studying Spanish, you will have the opportunity to study abroad in a number of countries and continents including North America, South America, and Spain. 

Eligibility 

  • You must be in your junior year to participate in study abroad. However, you may petition to become eligible after your junior year.
  • You are not allowed to go on study abroad while on academic probation.
  • You are required to have completed the 202-level in your target language before leaving on your semester abroad.
  • You must take the Language Proficiency Tests sponsored by the Language & Culture Program before and after Study Abroad.
  • When studying abroad, you must choose your courses based on the Pre-Study Abroad Language Proficiency Test results.
  • You are required to attend all the orientations organized by the Office of Study Abroad and International Internships.

My Study Abroad Experience

Delali standing in front of Spring Rainbow Mountain in Ecuador

In order to ‘ama la vida’ [love life], I embraced all of the hardships that came my way and the memories I made are filled with inexplicable happiness.

Delali Amoah in Quito, Ecuador
Study Abroad Experience

Frequently Asked Questions

Study Abroad is included in the cost of attendance at SUA.

Currently, we have programs in more than 15 countries throughout the world.

No, you must select a program from our approved programs. 

Where you live while abroad depends on the program. There are three basic types of housing arrangements: homestay, dormitory, and off-campus housing.

While studying abroad, you are required to earn a minimum of 12 and maximum of 16 credits per semester. 

Yes, but it depends on the country and program.

Yes. We provide information regarding rights and safety for LGBTQ students by region/country.

Study Abroad Staff

Director of Study Abroad and International Internships Office
Alex Okuda
Assistant to the Office of Study Abroad and International Internships
kathleen jorgensen

Language & Culture Program

Fostering the development of linguistic proficiency and cultural awareness necessary for well-educated global citizens.