Gain Global Experience
with SAM HOUSTON STATE UNIVERSITY & API
Scholarships
API is accepting Early Bird scholarship applications for all programs! Every student may apply, and applying is easy.
Also, API offers a number of other category scholarships, as well as options from 3rd party sources to help you prepare to go abroad! Check them out on our scholarships page.
Internships Abroad
Get a closer look at an API global internship in Australia! Follow Patrick Kasper and hear from him about his hands-on projects and insights gained while interning in Sydney with TGL, a prominent tech company.
Financial Aid Resources
You might be surprised to hear that you can use financial aid to study abroad! API does accept all forms of financial aid according to approval from your home university or organization.
Passport Resources
Don't let a missing passport derail your study abroad plans! International travelers are itching to get back out there so processing time for passport applications and renewals has increased. Apply for or renew your passport as soon as possible to ensure your study abroad plans stay on track!
Diversity, Equity and Inclusion
API believes in the importance of promoting acceptance, dignity, and respect among people of all backgrounds. No matter who you are or where you come from, API will support you during your journey abroad.
Gain a Global Edge with
INTERNSHIPS ABROAD
Get a jump on your professional future through career exploration and skills development. Our internship programs are designed to provide you with training and resources to prepare you for a meaningful and successful career.
Types of Internships
Students can view our internship postings and filter for internships during a particular term, within a particular academic area of study or career interest area. (See commonly requested internships on this page.)
We know that internships are not one-size fits all, so we work with companies of all sizes to offer paid and unpaid open positions that are individual, research, project-oriented, and team based.
Whatever your career goals are after graduation, you can chart a path toward them with an API internship!
What's included
More details are provided on each internship program page, but the following features are included in most programs:
- APIConnect platform and mobile app
- Orientation materials and resources
- Career coaching with a certified coach
- Access to the API Career Hub, providing skills development modules, interview prep help, and career resource toolkits to prepare for every phase of the internship journey
- Visa support where relevant
- Tailored academic credit options that meet the needs of your degree pathway
- Internship placement oversight
- Scholarship opportunities
- Workplace and culture orientation
- Housing
- Access to local support staff 24/7
Explore Some of Our Students’
Favorite Programs
Florence, Italy
Learn more
API offers a wide selection of programs in historic Florence, Italy! Explore incredible museums and a bustling city while studying any number of fascinating subjects. Especially great for Art, Business, Communication & Criminal Justice.
Dublin, Ireland
Learn More
Dublin has great options like Health Sciences at University College Dublin, perfect for all Health majors, and other summer and semester options!
Barcelona, Spain
Learn More
Study abroad in Barcelona, one of Spain’s most exciting and cosmopolitan cities! With rich Catalán culture & cuisine and a wide variety of business and economy courses, this location has so much to offer you!
San Joaquín de Flores, Costa Rica
Learn more
San Joaquin is a a unique destination, off the beaten path and not overrun by tourists. Great for Spanish Majors or any student who has a B.A. (All B.A students are required to take 4 language courses to graduate)
Brisbane, Australia
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Brisbane is home to Griffith University, ranked in the top 2% of universities worldwide and is also known as “Australia’s Hippest City” with “The World’s Best Downtown.” This location is great for Criminal Justice, Business, Psychology & Music
Study + Project-Based Internships
Learn More
Earn 6 semester credits with this 6-week program during the summer! Participate in a Project-Based internship with a group of students (required) and one elective of your choosing
Three locations:
Ignacio L.
This trip has given me the opportunity to slow down, reflect, and do things that I could have never done in the fast-paced life that I was living... If you have the opportunity to see even a little bit more of what is out there, do it! 
Hannah A.
Studying abroad was truly one of the most rewarding experiences of my life...API provided a program rich with opportunities...as well as amazing on-site staff!
Lexi A.
I embraced all the experiences of my study abroad semester differently than had I never been abroad before. When I returned, I knew what to do with those experiences. To this day, I cite my gap year as the most transformational year of my life.
Eden L.
Studying abroad has helped me enjoy the moment of life that I am currently existing in. It gave me a moment in time where I could relax and actually take time to feel alive. Studying abroad has sharpened my street-smart skills, where I am more aware of my surroundings and can figure out ways to not make myself stand out like a tourist.
Nancy S.
[The RDs] were extremely helpful from day one to the very last day of being in the program. You can tell they really care for the students that come into the program & want nothing but the best experience for each one of us. Loved the program!
Isabella H.
I had always wanted to study abroad but the price to study for one summer through my university at home was not realistic for my family to pay. Once we found API and compared the numbers, it was clear that would be the best option. What resulted was six of the best weeks of my life.
Phoebe H.
Through studying abroad I was challenged and awakened to the possibilities of life and what I am truly capable of. I truly believe that studying abroad has deeply altered my sense of self, opening me to the world and what I can accomplish.
Financial Resources
For Your Global Experience
Financial Aid
Good news – you can use financial aid to study abroad! API accepts all forms of financial aid according to approval from your home university or organization.
Scholarships
- Early Bird: Available to all students!
- Need-based: Identify yourself as eligible when you apply for your API program
- Merit-based: Opportunities available for students with 3.5 GPA and above
Also, The Office of International Programs awards around $100,000 a year in merit-based, first-come first-served scholarships. Check out the SHSU Study Abroad Scholarship page for more information.
Learn More
Get Going for Less - Budget Friendly
Programs by Region
Europe
PROGRAMS
Semester programs under $15,000.
Not what you're looking for? View more programs here, including summer, J-Term, and internships!
Asia/South Pacific
PROGRAMS
Semester programs under $15,000.
Not what you're looking for? View more programs here, including summer, J-Term, and internships!
Latin America
PROGRAMS
Semester programs under $15,000.
Not what you're looking for? View more programs here, including summer, J-Term, and internships!
Virtual
Programs
Virtual programs under $1,900.
Not what you're looking for? View more programs here
Easier Program Onboarding with the Mobile App!
- Complete onboarding materials
- View pre-departure orientation information
- Access vital support, safety, and security resources (pre-departure and on-site)
- View housing details, roommates, and assignments
- Check out excursion information
- And more!
The mobile app is available to students who have applied for an API program.
What's APIConnect?
APIConnect enables you to find your perfect experiential learning program, streamlines the application and onboarding process, helps you easily know what you need to do to get ready for your life-changing experiential education journey, and provides essential resources at your fingertips when you are on-site at your destination.
Login and check out your program options!
Better Educational Travel
Use Fare Finder™ in the APIConnect mobile app to get better deals on educational travel!
- Lower fares
- Hold flights and share itineraries
- Secure more favorable terms
- 24/7 assistance
- Broad sort and filter options
- Simplify the booking process
- And more!
GET MORE with API
API prides itself on including as much as possible in our program fees to make sure that you have a full and rewarding experience abroad. Here’s a quick list of the most common pieces that API programs include:
- Pre-departure advising from program experts
- Tuition and transcripts
- Housing
- Excursions/Daytrips
- Medical Insurance
- Friendly, local API staff in every destination
See what's included in API programs.
STUDY ABROAD FAq
What Does It Cost?
Learn More
Many program options costs the same or less than a semester’s tuition at your school!
With research and planning, you can find a study abroad program that fits your budget.
API programs are cost effective because they include so much more than just tuition.
Explore financial aid, budget-friendly programs, and scholarships.
Will I Fall Behind?
Learn More
Studies say if you work with your advisor to choose the right program for your major, study abroad can improve time to graduation!
Most API programs include credit-bearing coursework that count towards your degree.
Need an internship to graduate? Think about taking one abroad!
Can I Find Classes?
Learn More
There is truly a program for nearly every major!
More and more students in the STEM, business, and other fields are finding great coursework abroad! From biochemistry to public health to computer science… find your perfect fit abroad!
Check out our ClassFinder tool to find courses abroad within your major!
What About Support?
Learn More
No matter who you are or where you come from, API will support you during your experiential learning journey.
From application through being on site, API provides advising services and assistance so you have help every step of the way.
API demonstrates its commitment to inclusiveness by providing affordable and accessible programs, offering individualized support and resources, and conducting ongoing diversity education and training for all API staff.
Planning for your
Study Abroad Adventure
Congratulations on wanting to start your study abroad journey! You can never begin the process too early. To get you started, follow the steps below. Take note that you will need to complete items with both SHSU and API. This is to ensure all processes abroad (securing housing, enrolling you in school) and all processes at SHSU (notifying the school you will be off campus, financial aid) all get completed!
Let's Get You Abroad!
Complete the form to get in touch, and we'll follow up to answer any questions you may have!
Apply Today!
Getting started is easy, just click below to begin your application!
Already have an account?
Login to access your APIConnect account below:
Connect with Your School
For more information on studying abroad or how to get the process started at your school, reach out to your study abroad office!
Why API
API offers best-in-class programming, with student well-being a high priority.
Our mission is to create better global citizens through international experiential learning. API programs are developed to be transformative, career-boosting experiences that include:
- Community involvement through optional volunteer programs with API Gives Back
- Cultural awareness through relevant coursework and time spent in multicultural student groups
- High-touch student support throughout the program
About API
Academic Programs International (API) was founded in 1997 and is dedicated to providing high-quality, affordable experiential learning programs. Their extensive pre-departure preparation, coupled with strong support services on-site, facilitates academic, cultural and linguistic learning. Within the supportive environment of the API programs, API participants are encouraged to explore their host communities and become increasingly independent and confident in their own abilities. They strive to make international educational experiences accessible to as many participants as possible, and, as such, works to provide multiple program components at a low program cost.
Diversity, Equity, & Inclusion
API is committed to providing enriching international experiences to its participants. We believe in the importance of promoting acceptance, dignity, and respect among people of all backgrounds. No matter who you are or where you come from, API will support you during your journey abroad.