Study Abroad

Take major coursework

Orfalea’s four International Business Exchange Programs offer students the opportunity to take major coursework and make significant academic progress towards their degree for up to one year.

Looking for a culturally immersive experience?

Unlike many other study abroad experiences, exchanges allow students to directly enroll into universities abroad and build meaningful relationships with local students and faculty.

Exchanges are Affordable!

Exchanges are one of the most affordable study abroad options because students continue to pay Cal Poly tuition! Although you will have other costs such as housing, food, and travel, your study abroad experience will be comparable to attending Cal Poly. Plus, all financial aid applies!

Universities

We partner with four amazing business universities in Europe that offer many courses that have already been pre-approved by Area Chairs.

• HM Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences – Munich, Germany
• University of Milan – Milan, Italy
• Stockholm School of Economics – Stockholm, Sweden

• Academic year-long programs for students from all universities within the CSU system.
• Immersion programs at over 50 distinguished universities in 18 countries.
• Take classes with local and international students at the university itself
• Check for language requirements
• Earn CSU credit towards your major, minor, and GEs.
• State and Federal financial aid applies making these trips cost effective
• CSU IP provides one of the most affordable study abroad options to CSU students. Students enrolled in CSU IP programs pay the same systemwide tuition fee, which is currently $5,742 per academic year for full-time undergraduate students. Campus-Based Fees are approximately equivalent to the CSU IP Study Abroad Fee.

Cal Poly has over 500 approved study abroad programs in 75 countries and a range of affiliated program partners. These programs attract a high volume of Cal Poly students so you can expect to have other students from our University in your program. These programs tend to have more pre-approved GE and major courses that students can take abroad and have transferred for Cal Poly credit. Affiliated programs also commonly offer specific scholarships for Cal Poly students.

Cal Poly Global Programs are international academic programs designed by one or more Cal Poly faculty members in collaboration with the Cal Poly International Center. These programs provide faculty with opportunities to share their international expertise with students, and to teach Cal Poly courses abroad. Programs vary in academic and learning objectives, locations, duration, excursions, cultural activities, and cost.

• Take Cal Poly Courses
• Go abroad with a group of Cal Poly students
• Courses taught by Cal Poly faculty
• Courses show up on your PolyLearn!
• Summer or Quarter long programs
• Know what courses you will take in advance(GE courses). Major courses taught when marketed for a specific major.

Cal Poly Global Program – Business

BUS 304 – Doing Business in Brazil

BUS 304 is a 4-unit course that satisfies the International Business requirement. The course consists of on-campus lectures on global supply chain foundations with a focus on Brazil as a successful model with its recent economic developments and its supply chain logistics. The students enrolled in the course and their instructors go to Florianopolis, Brazil for spring break to gain business and cultural insight. Watch the 2017 Business in Brazil video:

Orfalea Travel Grant

Orfalea College of Business students are eligible to receive funding from the Orfalea Travel Grant if they attend an International Business Tour or are enrolled in BUS 304. Award amounts are based on financial need and academic standing. To be considered, students must indicate their interest on their application.

Cal Poly Global Program – Australia

The program offers coursework focused on Agribusiness as well as GE courses that focus on Australian culture and global issues. Students choose three of the four courses offered for a total of 12-units on this 7-week Winter quarter program. All courses are taught in English by Cal Poly Faculty.

You will earn Cal Poly credit on this program, and it is open to all majors.

Ever thought about spending a quarter on the East Coast? Exploring New Orleans? Hawaii? Guam? This could be the program for you! Take the opportunity to explore the beautiful United States, U.S. Territories, and Canada!

National Student Exchange is a not-for-profit consortium of nearly 200 accredited, baccalaureate-granting colleges and universities in the United States, Canada, Guam, Puerto Rico and the U.S. Virgin Islands. Through NSE, these member institutions provide exchange opportunities for the multitude of undergraduate students for whom an overseas experience is not appropriate, comfortable or affordable. This can be a great option for DACA or undocumented students who still want an experience abroad.

• Universities across the United States, U.S. territories, and Canada
• Option to pay HOME institution or HOST institution tuition fees! Check with Cal Poly Coordinator.
• In most cases, out of state students can pay in-state tuition to another university
• Great option for DACA students
• Search for universities by location, diversity stats, demographic stats, etc.
• Federal Financial Aid applies to locations inside the United States

We recommend studying abroad on a Cal Poly approved program — there are over 500 of them in 75 countries.  However, if you prefer to study abroad on a program that is not Cal Poly approved, you are welcome to do so.  Please just be aware that this will take extra work and planning on your part. Financial aid is not typically available, advising resources are limited, and transfer credit is not guaranteed.  It is critical for you to confirm whether/how your courses can transfer back to Cal Poly before applying to non-approved programs.

Limitations: 

• There may be a limited about of pre-approved courses depending on how many students have studied on the program before.
• We do not provide official advising for non-affiliated programs.
• We cannot guarantee the transcripts will be from an accredited institution. You must ensure this in advance if you want your courses to transfer back.
• Financial Aid does not apply to non-affiliated programs.