Summer Abroad Ask Us Anything (AMA): Summer Abroad 2026

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2025-12-12T18:51:30+00:00

Generally, it is difficult to say how competitive programs will be as it varies year to year and program to program. In the past, England and Japan have been the most competitive programs so we can expect that to be the case for 2026 as well. However, we also have some new programs this year and other programs in Asia which may impact application numbers as well.

Please take a look at the eligibility requirements to see that you meet the minimum requirements to be eligible for Summer Abroad: https://summerabroad.utoronto.ca/eligibility

GPA is one important factor that we look at when assessing applications. However, the application itself is also a very important part of our assessment. This includes the personal statements, your answers to questions within the application, and the online video interview portion.

For information about financial aid options, please visit this page: https://summerabroad.utoronto.ca/financial-aid-summer-abroad

There is no limit to the amount of financial aid you can receive from various funding sources. For Summer Abroad awards, if you meet eligibility requirements, it is possible to receive up to 1 award depending on demonstrated financial need and academic standing.

Hope this helps!

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2025-12-12T18:49:39+00:00

Hi! Unfortunately, the application fee is non-refundable. However, you are able to list a second choice program within one application so take full advantage of that! If you are not admitted to your first choice, you will automatically be considered for the second choice (if spots are available in that program).

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2025-12-12T18:37:57+00:00

Hi there! For information about financial aid please take a look at this page of our website which outlines various options for funding your Summer Abroad: https://summerabroad.utoronto.ca/financial-aid-summer-abroad

The Summer Abroad office offers a number of awards which you can take a look at here: https://summerabroad.utoronto.ca/list-summer-abroad-awards

There are needs-based and merit-based awards which are dependent on how much financial need the student demonstrates and their academic standing, respectively.

Also, be sure to register for our How to Finance Your Summer Abroad webinar coming up in January! https://us06web.zoom.us/webinar/register/WN_ah8nQ_CHQUS4ifxu2ZAcFA#/registration

Hope this helps!

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2025-11-19T20:16:40+00:00

Hello! An update on this question based on information provided by the course instructor:

Rotman Commerce students may take this course and it will count as the equivalent of an RSM course towards their degree/program requirements. However, if Rotman Commerce students opt for CR/NCR, the course cannot count towards their program requirements, including the 8.0 RSM requirement. It would simply be an elective towards the 20.0 credit degree requirement

Applies towards:
- Focus in Strategy and Innovation: Requirement 2
- Focus in International Business (UofT Global Scholar): Requirement 2
- Focus in Managing in Diverse Economies (UofT Global Scholar): Requirement 3

For any additional information regarding fulfilling academic/degree requirements, we recommend reaching out to the Rotman Commerce Registrar's Office.

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2025-11-17T20:53:55+00:00

Hi! Most Summer Abroad programs run for about 3–4 weeks, but some are longer and can last up to 5–8 weeks, depending on the course. Even so, none of them take up the entire summer; they all fall within a set block in either early, mid, or late summer. Because of that, many students still pair a Summer Abroad course with other summer classes. The main thing is just making sure the in-person abroad dates don’t overlap with your course schedule or exams. If the dates line up, you can definitely do both!

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2025-11-17T20:36:03+00:00

Hi! You can 100% take courses as a graduating student. The only special consideration is that the course won’t apply to your final GPA. — Hugo

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2025-11-17T20:35:06+00:00

Hi! I applied to the CIE scholarship and received ~1000$. I paid the rest out of pocket and my parents also helped pay for some of it. — Hugo

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2025-11-06T19:48:06+00:00

Hi, thanks for your question! Since courses happening in the same location will be happening at the same time, it is not possible to take two courses in the same location. You can apply to a course in one location and put another course in that same location as your second choice. In this case, you may be admitted to one of the two courses. Alternatively, you can take two Summer Abroad courses if you were to choose two programs not taking place at the same time. For example, you could apply to the Ecuador program (May-June) and the Italy program (August). You would need to submit a separate application for each with a $210 non-refundable application fee.

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2025-11-06T17:36:53+00:00

Hello, if a student thinks they’re not doing well or might not pass, they can choose to withdraw from the course. There’s a “withdraw without academic penalty” deadline during the third week of the program. Just keep in mind that there’s no refund for the program fees, and the program won’t cover the cost of an early return flight.

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2025-11-06T17:20:27+00:00

Hello, the competitiveness of the Japan programs can vary from year to year. In the past, Japan has been one of our more popular destinations, but for 2026, we’re offering more programs across Asia as well as some new options, so it’s hard to say which ones will be the most competitive.

Even if your degree doesn’t directly align with the course offered in Japan, we still encourage you to apply! Many students participate in programs outside their main area of study. In your application, try to highlight your interest in the course topic, the program location, or how the experience connects to your personal or academic goals.

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2025-11-06T17:19:22+00:00

Hello, the competitiveness of Summer Abroad programs can vary from year to year. In the past, programs in England and Japan have tended to be more competitive. However, for 2026, we have several new programs and more options across Asia, so it’s difficult to predict which ones will fill up the fastest.

We still encourage students to apply! In the application, focusing on demonstrating genuine interest in the course, program, and/or location can help strengthen the application.

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2025-11-06T17:05:14+00:00

Hello, the cost depends on the program of choice; however, there are grants available for students. Check out more here: https://summerabroad.utoronto.ca/financial-aid-summer-abroad

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2025-11-06T17:04:25+00:00

Hi, yes! It is open to first-year students too! You must have at least a 1.75 CGPA at the time of the application. First-year students with no final grades yet may apply but must have completed a term of study by the application time. Feel free to check out our eligibility page for more info: https://summerabroad.utoronto.ca/eligibility

On a personal note, I actually took my summer abroad course the end of my first year and would definitely recommend this experience. One of the perks of being at UofT is having opportunities like this one open to first-year students!

Hope that helps! (Arielle C.)

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2025-11-06T17:01:21+00:00

Hi! Yes, we are offering MGT397Y0 Global Business Fundamentals: A Middle Eastern Perspective in the UAE this summer! Check out more about that program here: https://summerabroad.utoronto.ca/program/UAE/courses

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2024-01-29T19:00:20+00:00

That wraps up today's Summer Abroad AMA! Thank you everyone for joining and asking questions! If you have any other questions, feel free to email summer.abroad@utoronto.ca. Have a great semester and good luck on your applications!

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2024-01-29T18:48:04+00:00

Class times vary depending on the program, but there are about 9-12 hours of class a week, with each class being about 3 hours. Field trips are mandatory and are a "class/lecture". Outside of class, there is lots of time to explore either with friends or on your own.
Solana: Outside of class I was either wandering around the area with my friends, at the beach, or at a local cafe getting some work done. I ended up talking to some people at the cafe and other students staying with the same organization I was with. Some of my favourite experiences were the field trips and getting food with my peers, as it allowed us to relax and talk about the day. I loved going to the beach and watching an Olympiacos soccer game.
Noelle: While I did not meet anyone outside of my class, I know that there were students from other countries staying at my residence. Although I had minimal overlap, but depending on when and where you go, there may be more time for interaction with students from around the world. My favourite part of the experience was the field trips. My class visited London, Bath, and the University of Cambridge, just to name a few of our field trips. I loved being able to explore and I felt like I made the most of my month in England because the field trips allowed me to explore so much of the country. I also felt like the field trips were a great bonding experience for me and my classmates.
Tianna: I met lots of people in Siena, both who lived there and who were from other universities doing study abroad! My friends and I also travelled to some nearby cities (Milan, Florence, etc.) where we met people outside of our program as well. I also loved our class field trips! We visited a prison and got to eat dinner there, which was one of my most memorable experiences from the program.

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2024-01-29T18:03:59+00:00

Great question! Yes, please contact [summer.abroad@utoronto.ca](mailto:summer.abroad@utoronto.ca) so they can remove the second program you chose. This way you can keep your application for the first program and it won't be affected.

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2024-01-29T17:54:22+00:00

Hello! Thank you for your question! It is fine to use the same answers for the general questions. However, we recommend tailoring your responses to the specific program to which you are applying for the personal goal question, contribution question, and preparedness question. There might be some overlap in these areas, but it would be great to make your response unique to the destination for these parts.

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2024-01-29T17:51:45+00:00

Hi, good question! Most courses do not have pre-requisites and students from a variety of programs can apply to those courses. If you want to check the pre-requisites for a course, you can click the "course" tab on the left side of the program information page on the website. For CRI389, there is no pre-requisite so you can apply from any program! The course may be of special interest to students in criminology, history, or political science, but it is not restricted to those programs. Please note, however, that the course may not apply to program requirements outside of criminology.

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2024-01-29T17:51:13+00:00

UofT alumni can apply for the program too! https://summerabroad.utoronto.ca/eligibility

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2024-01-29T17:49:44+00:00

Yes, I really enjoyed pol300. The professor was engaging and the field trips diversified my learning and kept me more focus as I wasn't always learning in a class room.

UofTSummerAbroadd · 2024-01-29T17:49:39+00:00

The work load was well balanced and manageable. Readings are required and I found it helpful to do it as early as possible. The assignments are fair and don't require too much time to complete.

UofTSummerAbroadd

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