KU Core 34 and Study Abroad

Students who are in the original KU Core (admitted to KU prior to Fall 2024) can use their study abroad experience toward completion of KU Core Goal 4.2.  Please click here for additional information.

KU offers a robust portfolio of study abroad programs for both undergraduate and graduate students.  These programs enrich the student learning experience at KU and support students at all academic levels in their development of a critical and reflective awareness of social, global, and cultural differences (Institutional Learning Goal – Social Awareness & Cultural Understanding).  

Participation in a study abroad program can also support completion of the KU Core 34 “Global Culture” goal.

KU Core 34 Global Culture:  Expand cultural understanding and global awareness

Participating in 21st century society means acquiring knowledge and understanding of the world beyond our immediate experience and culture, showing consideration and enhanced understanding for humans and cultures, and reexamining our own lives in a global context. Students will learn to analyze regional and international issues and perspectives, enabling them to engage with the languages, cultures, customs, beliefs, and/or behaviors from the world's various communities.

KU Core 34 Global Culture Learning Outcomes

Upon reaching this goal, students will be able to identify and examine cultural perspectives outside of the United States, recognize and develop an awareness of their identity within the global community, and interact respectfully with a variety of cultures. 

Completing the KU Core 34 “Global Culture” Goal through Study Abroad

Students can complete the Global Culture goal of the KU Core 34 and earn three hours of course credit by completing a significant study abroad experience and co-completing a required companion course, UNIV 342: Sponsored Educational Experience.  

What is UNIV 342?

UNIV 342 is an asynchronous course delivered via Canvas that supports students in their study abroad planning and participation by ensuring students are setting goals, reflecting throughout the experience, assessing their personal and professional growth, and examining their cultural views.  Students will earn three hours of course credit and fulfill KU Core 34 “Global Culture” after participating in a study abroad program and completing the UNIV 342 online course content.  UNIV 342 is graded on a satisfactory/unsatisfactory basis and is intended to be taken alongside any other courses in which students are enrolling.

How does a student enroll in UNIV 342?

Students do NOT enroll in UNIV 342 through Enroll and Pay.  Instead, students will be added to a Canvas course. KU Study Abroad will contact students who have not yet satisfied the Global Culture goal to provide instructions on requesting access to UNIV 342.  Students should watch for this message approximately 4-6 weeks prior to their study abroad term and follow the instructions outlined in the email.  Once a student has completed a study abroad experience and the Canvas course modules, their DPR will be updated to reflect completion of the Global Culture goal.  

Are fees charged for UNIV 342?

There is no tuition charged for UNIV 342.  However, upon completion of a study abroad experience and the UNIV 342 coursework, each student will be charged a $50 administration fee by the University Registrar (subject to increase) to post the 3 credit hours of UNIV 342 to their transcript. 

Note:  A small number of KU faculty-led study abroad programs offer courses taught abroad that satisfy the KU Core 34 Global Culture goal (designated by the GLBC code on the schedule of classes). If a student is participating in one of these programs, completion of this course will satisfy the Global Culture goal.  For these programs, no co-enrollment in UNIV 342 is required.