Take the World by the Horns FAQs

Admissions

How do I apply?: You must indicate your interest in this program on your UT Austin application. You will then receive an email from UT Admissions that will direct you to a separate, supplementary program application.
After I apply to this program and am accepted, am I required to participate in the program if admitted to UT Austin?: If you apply and are accepted into the Take the World by the Horns program and are a eligible for automatic admission, you will still be admitted to UT Austin in the fall if you don’t participate. If you are not in the aforementioned category, you must participate in the program to secure your admission to UT Austin in the fall.
Can I apply to more than one program location?: Yes. You can indicate your preference for first, second, third, and fourth choices among the program locations. Your preference will be taken into account, but you will be offered admission to only one of the locations. You can accept admission to the location for which you were selected, or you can request to be placed on a waitlist for a second location.
What are the eligibility requirements for this program?: You must be applying to college for the first time.
Can I apply to this program and still be considered for other transfer or co-enrollment admissions programs?: Yes. Texas residents can apply to this program and still be considered for the CAP program (admission to another school in the UT system). Non-residents are not eligible for the CAP program and can only be considered for this program.
What are the selection criteria?: Criteria for selection are based on academic achievement, extracurricular experience, and a demonstrated interest in international and intercultural learning.
What majors are eligible?: Sudents participating in this program may be admitted to majors within the College of Liberal Arts, the College of Education, the Moody School of Communication, the School of Information, the School of Nursing, the School of Civic Leadership, the LBJ School of Public Affairs, and the School of Social Work. Limited spots are available for the College of Natural Sciences, the College of Fine Arts, the Jackson School of Geosciences, and the Cockrell School of Engineering. McCombs School of Business, School of Architecture, Computer Science, and Statistics and Data Science majors are not eligible for this program.
Can I change my program location?: Requests for program location changes will not be considered until after May 1, when participation is confirmed for all sites. Depending on the number of students confirmed for each program location, there may be the possibility to change program location at that time.

Academics

How will this program fit into my degree plan?

The program offers courses that will count toward the total hours needed to graduate. Credit toward minor and major requirements will vary depending on a student’s college and major.

How does registration work, and what type of credit will I earn on this program?

The program will offer 12 affiliated credit hours that will be transferred to UT Austin during the Spring 2026 semester.

Students register for UT “affiliate placeholder” courses while abroad (ex: AS 000).
Credits appear as transfer credits on official UT transcripts and do not count as in-residence credit.
Grades are not computed into your overall UT GPA.
Students must make a C- or better to receive credit.
Some affiliate credits may count toward residency hours.

Can I transfer into a different major?

Internal transfers at UT Austin vary by college/school and can be highly competitive. Please be aware that many majors require a minimum of 24 hours of in-residence credit before you can apply for transfer. Take the World by the Horns students will receive transfer, not in-residence credit for their first semester abroad. The first time you will be eligible to apply for a transfer would be spring semester of your sophomore year at UT Austin.

Traveling Abroad

How do the flights work?: Students are responsible for booking their own flights with departure from your hometown. Please wait until you receive final confirmation for program date arrival and departure before purchasing a flight.
What is the program housing like?: Across all locations, students will be in apartment or dormitory style housing. Students will share a room with another Take the World by the Horns first semester abroad student and will be able to request a roommate. Rooms have twin beds and a private bathroom. Rooms are fully furnished and linens will be provided.
Do I need a visa?: Students in the South Korea, Denmark, and Sweden programs will all require a visa. Students will receive instructions on the visa application process and letters of support. Students travelling with a U.S. passport to Panama will not need a visa. Requirements will vary for any students travelling with a non-U.S. passport.
How do the meals work?: In Copenhagen and Stockholm, students receive a partial meal stipend on a grocery card. Please note, it is not intended to cover all meals but to encourage students to grocery shop and cook. For other meals, students can choose from a variety of restaurants and local eateries.
In Panama and Seoul, students are responsible for their own meals and can choose from a variety of restaurants and local eateries. Please find the estimated expenses for food costs for the semester on the program page.
How does money abroad work?: Payments are largely cashless across all four program locations. It is recommended that students investigate credit card options that do not charge a foreign transaction fee. Debit cards can be used to withdraw small amounts of foreign currency if needed in Seoul, Copenhagen, and Stockholm. Panama accepts U.S. dollars.
Can I travel on my own?: Students are permitted to travel during their free time. Program schedules and itineraries vary by location and will be confirmed closer to program departure. Students must notify the on-site staff of any travel plans. Please note, in South Korea students cannot leave the country until they receive their Foreign Residency Card. This is usually not processed until November.
Can my family drop me off or visit while I am abroad?: We encourage students to arrive independently to the program. If families want to accompany students to drop them off, we recommend they arrive early and explore the city together before the program start date. Cohort building is essential to the program and we want all students to be together on arrival day and during their orientation. Family members are welcome to come and visit during any other time of the program, however, there are some weeks where students will be away traveling on program excursions.

Finances

What is the cost to attend this program?

The cost to attend varies by program location.

Denmark program cost is $30,627
Panama program cost is $20,268
South Korea program cost is $22,860
Sweden program cost is $30,627

Please note that this reflects the total estimated cost of attendance for the semester. Some of the costs will be paid directly to UT Austin, and others are estimated costs that students will pay for individually (such as flight, additional meals, passport/visa costs, location transportation, personal items).

Comparative estimated costs of attendance for a semester at UT Austin are available at Texas One Stop.

What does the program cost include?

The amounts above include all registration fees and tuition, overseas insurance, flights, passport, visa, pre-departure costs, housing, excursions, meals, and estimated personal expenses during the semester abroad.

Can I use financial aid to pay for this program?

Yes, this program is eligible for financial aid. The aid will be disbursed on or around the first class day (at UT Austin or at the institution abroad, whichever is later). You will be required to purchase flights and pay preparation expenses and a program deposit in early May prior to having your financial aid disbursed, but you will be able to reimburse yourself for these costs once the aid is released. Typically, any change in your cost of attendance for education abroad activities can be covered by additional loans, including credit-based loans (ex: Parent PLUS).

Are there any program costs that are not covered by financial aid?

No, all expenses for the program as listed under the “total cost of the program” on each location’s page are eligible for financial aid. Expenses such as flights, international insurance, program fees and registration, and miscellaneous “on the ground” costs will be included in a budget that will be submitted to the Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid for all participating students who plan on using financial aid.

Are there any associated costs that I will need to pay before I receive my financial aid (e.g., plane tickets, etc.)?

Yes. Any costs incurred prior to financial aid disbursement — including flight, passport, health clearance, vaccinations, and program deposits — must be paid out of pocket. These costs will be included in the financial aid budget and can be reimbursed when aid is disbursed.

Can I use the GI Bill, Hazelwood, or other Tuition Assistance programs?

Take the World by the Horns is an affiliated education abroad program. The program costs are not considered to be tuition because they are paid to the partner institution abroad. Scholarships and tuition based assistance cannot be applied to the first semester abroad program but can be used towards all other semesters at UT Austin.

Program Support

What type of academic and health and well-being support will be included in the program?: Our partner institutions in Denmark, Panama, South Korea, and Sweden offer a range of support services for international students, including academic and mental health support. You will also receive logistical support from On Call International, UT Austin’s partner for 24/7 global medical, travel, and security assistance.
Will I have help registering for classes for my next semester? Will I be able to meet with an academic advisor?: Yes, an academic advisor from your college will meet with you virtually during your semester abroad to assist you with registering for spring classes.
How does housing work when I return to Austin?: There is limited on-campus housing for the spring semester therefore dormitory housing is not guaranteed. Students can apply for housing on a first come, first serve basis or explore additional options through the Off-Campus Housing Marketplace.
Can I participate in a fraternity or sorority?: Most fraternities and sororities only have rush weeks during the fall semester. Take the World by the Horns students have successfully pursued joining fraternities and sororities the fall semester of their sophomore year. There are also several spirit organizations that accept applications in the spring.