Don’t just learn about health care in a classroom—immerse yourself through theory and practice in compelling public health issues in the United Kingdom and Kingston, Jamaica, that are affecting local communities, countries, and the global population right now.

The curriculum for this program was created to meet the academic needs and interests of students in pre-professional medical studies and public health majors and minors, as well as students studying Anthropology, Economics, Political Science, Psychology, or Sociology.

You can learn more about the program on the IES London and Jamaica Health Practice and Policy program website.

Students receive transfer credit for the courses taken on this program.

Academic Program

Our mission is simple: to provide you with the best study abroad program possible—which includes the highest quality academic and cultural experiences. That is why we partnered with Queen Mary, University of London (QMUL) and the University of West Indies School of Nursing, Mona (UWISON) in Jamaica.

Courses

All IES Abroad courses are taught by British and international faculty, and are designed to offer you a unique academic experience, combining the traditions of your home campus with the best of the British university system.

You can find more information about the planned courses, including, course descriptions, syllabi, etc on the IES Abroad Academics website.

You will earn 16 semester hours for the courses offered through this program.

This program takes place primarily in London. In the final 10 days of your study abroad term, you participate in a program-related trip to Kingston, Jamaica, hosted by the University of West Indies School of Nursing, Mona.

Applying credit toward a UI degree

Unless UI Study Abroad has an approval on file for the courses you take abroad to be applied toward a specific major, minor, certificate, or general education requirement, you will receive general elective credit for your course.

If you plan to apply the credit you receive for your program course to a major, minor, certificate, or general education requirement, contact your UI study abroad advisor for details on the process.

Cultural Activities

Even though your adventure starts in London, IES’s field trips take you beyond the city to discover the culture and traditions of your host country. These trips are subsidized by IES Abroad, though additional costs may apply.

You can find more information about excursions and activities on the IES Abroad Field Trips and Events website.

Program Dates

Program dates vary from year to year, but typically follow the University of Iowa’s academic calendar.

This program is not offered during the summer session.

You can find the specific dates for the upcoming programs on the IES program website.

For more information

Steps to Studying Abroad

1. Before initiating an application with IES Abroad, students must complete a Discover Study Abroad session at the University of Iowa.
2. After completing the Discover Abroad session, students must call the Study Abroad office at 319-335-0353 to be assigned to the appropriate study abroad advisor.
3. Once assigned, students must meet with their study abroad advisor to receive program application instructions.

Study Abroad
1111 University Capitol Centre
Iowa City, IA 52242

Phone: 319-335-0353
Email: study-abroad@uiowa.edu

Where You Will Study

This program is hosted by IES Abroad, a study abroad program provider with more than 60 years of experience offering programs all over the word.

Features include

• 18th century Georgian building
• Classrooms
• Gender Neutral Bathrooms
• Library Resources
• Outdoor Patio
• Printing Facilities
• Staff Offices
• Student Lounge
• Wireless Internet

Queen Mary University of London

East of central London, QM’s campus is located in Mile End, one of London’s most ethnically and socially diverse neighborhoods. The campus is self-contained, but students take full advantage of the many opportunities to experience the incredible variety of local cultural offerings.

Queen Mary offers you the best of two worlds: the bustling city of London and a self-contained, thriving campus. Located in the diverse East End, QM maintains its own identity and community, and yet you are never more than a convenient Tube ride to the center of London.

As a large institution (more than 16,000 students), QM offers an extensive range of challenging academic options. In addition, the college has a long history of internationalism: 20 percent of the student body comes from outside the United Kingdom, with more than 100 countries represented in the international student population.

QM is well connected by Tube, bus, and by foot to all London’s major attractions.

London

London is the capital of the United Kingdom, and the largest city in the UK London is a leading global city in the arts, commerce, education, entertainment, fashion, finance, healthcare, media, research, tourism, and transportation. It is a tremendously diverse city of 8.6 million people, representing dozens of cultures and hundreds of languages.

London holds something for everyone- as the saying goes, “When a man is tired of London, he is tired of life; for there is in London all that life can afford.”

England, United Kingdom

England is a member of the United Kingdom, which also includes Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. It features a diverse landscape, friendly people, and a rich history.

The United Kingdom (UK) refers to the four countries of England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. This is in contrast to another common name, Great Britain, which excludes Northern Ireland. Life and culture in the UK is different from that in the US. Experiencing this rich tradition is what studying in the UK is all about!

Some general facts about the UK:

• The UK uses the British Pound as its currency.
• Communication from the UK is easy. Cell phones are relatively inexpensive, the internet is easily accessible, and post offices are plentiful.
• British food is unique! Try fish and chips, bangers and mash, steak pie, Indian curry, neeps and tatties, haggis, and more!
• The UK is a relatively safe environment. Police are helpful and visible. Emergency services are reliable. Pharmacies, called 'chemists', are common and carry a wide variety of medicine and other essentials.
• The UK has a temperate climate, influenced by the ocean that surrounds it. It is never too hot in the summer nor too cold in the winter. Rain is common most of the year. Make sure to take plenty of warm clothes and waterproof shoes.

US Department of State Country Information

The US Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess for yourself the risks of travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you.

Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details to help decide whether traveling to any given country is right for you. Non-US citizen travelers may also wish to seek guidance from the embassy of their country of citizenship. The UI International Travel Policy for Students addresses restrictions on student travel to high-risk locations and engagement in high-risk activities abroad.

Living Arrangements

We want to make sure that your greatest challenge is deciding which landmarks to see first or discovering the best café- not finding a place to live where you feel comfortable. We do our best to locate housing that is reflective of how the local students are living. Our goal is that when you leave London, it will feel like home.

Residence Hall (London)- You will live in an international student residence hall located in central London. You and another IES Abroad intern or student share a room with an attached bathroom and will either have access to a common kitchen with others on your floor or a kitchenette in your room. No meals are included, but there are many affordable eateries nearby. There are laundry facilities and common areas with wireless Internet (and 24-hour Internet access in your room) on various floors of the residence hall. Enjoy 24-hour security and a short walk to public transportation.

Student Apartments (Kingston)- You will be housed in apartments during your 10-day field study with the London Health Practice and Policy program. Each apartment houses 4 students, and the faculty on the trip are housed in adjacent apartments. Your housing, most food costs, and internal transportation are covered in the program fee.

You can learn more about IES housing options on the IES Daily Life website.

Passport

If you do not have a passport, it is important that you apply for one as soon as possible to ensure you receive it before the program begins. US citizens can find more information about how to apply for a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

US citizens can find more information about how to renew a passport on the US Department of State’s website.

Students with a valid passport should check the expiration date. Passports must be valid for at least 6 months AFTER the anticipated return to the US from studying abroad. If your passport is not valid for at least 6 months after your anticipated date of return to the US, you must renew your passport before applying for the visa you will need to enter your host country.

Expedited processing service is available for US passports (although this still takes several weeks and is at an additional cost). UI Study Abroad encourages students to ask the passport agency at the time of application whether expedited service is recommended.

Non-US Citizens

Students who are not US citizens should contact their consulate for more information if they need to get a new passport or renew their passport.

Travel Arrangements (Flights)

Students will work with their program provider to make travel arrangements to their program sites in London and Jamaica. The cost of travel is not included in the course fee. UI Study Abroad will not arrange a group flight to your study abroad destination.

Do not purchase plane tickets until you have received instructions on how to do so from your program provider.

Local Transportation

London has an excellent public transportation system comprised of the world-famous ‘Tube’ system, buses, and taxis. London's modern, international airport provides a hub to all major European capital cities, as well as other major cities around the world.

Eligibility

This program is open to University of Iowa students who fulfill the following requirements:

• Clear interest and commitment- Students must demonstrate a clear academic or personal interest in the program’s subject matter, and a commitment to engage responsibly in coursework abroad.
  
• Demonstrated preparedness and maturity- Students must demonstrate preparedness to take on the heightened responsibilities associated with international study and travel. Students must demonstrate a commitment to behave responsibly abroad while respecting cultural differences. Students are expected to obey both local laws and program directives conveyed to participants before and during the program. The University of Iowa Code of Student Life applies to all program participants while abroad.
  
• Minimum 3.0 GPA- Students must have at minimum 3.0 GPA to participate in this program. Applications from students who have a GPA below 3.0 cannot be considered.
  
• Good academic and disciplinary standing- Students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at the University of Iowa. Students placed on either academic or disciplinary probation for any period of time overlapping with the study abroad program dates are ineligible to study abroad on a University of Iowa program. Academic and disciplinary history will also be considered when determining whether a student is prepared to represent the University of Iowa as part of this program. Students who are not in good standing at any point overlapping with the program dates will have their acceptance revoked, and will be responsible for the associated late withdrawal fees.
  
• Sophomore, Junior, or Senior status- Participants must have Sophomore, Junior, or Senior status at the start of the session abroad.
  
• Approval by IES and UI Study Abroad- Applications will be reviewed by UI Study Abroad, and by IES Abroad, and students will be accepted based on their review of their application materials.
  
• Attendance at mandatory orientation programming- Students must attend all in-person and online pre-departure orientation programing presented by UI Study Abroad and IES Abroad.
• 18 years of age- Participants must be at least 18 years of age.
  

Additional notes on eligibility

• Program eligibility requirements may change per IES Abroad policies. Before applying, it is important that you review the eligibility requirements listed on IES Abroad website for your program to ensure you meet all listed requirements.

Costs

Students will be responsible for paying many of their program costs through their University of Iowa U-Bill, while other costs will be out-of-pocket costs paid by the student directly to vendors before and after going abroad. Refer to the cost sheets below for details on the costs associated with this program.

The cost sheets outline the total estimated costs associated with participating in this program and can be used for financial aid purposes. They include fees charged on students’ U-Bill as well as out-of-pocket expenses. Actual out-of-pocket expenses will vary from individual to individual. Quoted estimates are conservatively high, yet realistic.

Costs for future sessions are usually similar to the current session, however students can expect a modest increase in overall costs each session. Final cost sheets for future sessions are typically available early in the semester before the session begins.

Cost Sheets

Cost Sheet- IES London Health Practice and Policy- Fall 2024

Calculating Fees

The cost sheets are based on the fees described below:

• University of Iowa Study Abroad Administrative Fees
• University of Iowa’s CISI health insurance
• The course fee/tuition, housing costs, plane tickets and transportation costs, personal expenses, visa and immigration fees, and other costs of attendance per the IES Abroad program website.

The cost sheet does not include the following optional additional costs:

Additional Optional Costs Paid to IES Abroad

• Optional Tours with IES Abroad

Optional fees vary by session, and will be available shortly before the upcoming session.

Personal Travel Costs

Costs for personal travel are not included in the cost estimates provided on the cost sheet. If you plan to travel outside of your host city or country during or after your study abroad program, you will need to budget for additional funds to cover the cost of your personal travel.

The cost of personal travel depends entirely on each student’s individual travel plans and spending habits. Estimates for personal travel costs provided by past students on this program vary significantly from $1,500 to as much as $9,000 or more per session.

More Information about Optional Additional Costs

Students should budget additional funds to cover the costs not described on the program cost sheet. Contact IES Abroad for more information about these optional additional costs.

Costs charged to the U-Bill

• Application Fee (charged at the time of application, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Course Fees- Includes program tuition, housing, some meals, IES health insurance (charged shortly before departure)
• Study Abroad Fee (charged shortly before departure)
• CISI Health Insurance (charged shortly before departure)

Out of Pocket costs (not charged to U-Bill)

• Round trip airfare from Cedar Rapids- (paid by student directly to travel agent or airline- approx. 6-8 weeks prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed)
• Food- (paid by student at their discretion while abroad)
• Visa/Immigration fees- (paid by student on arrival to the UK, or shortly before arrival/before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed. See the Immigration/Visa section under the Predeparture tab for more information.)
• Local Transportation- (paid at student’s discretion while abroad.)
• Cell phone- (paid as needed while abroad)
• Passport- (paid by student prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships are disbursed.)
• Textbooks- (paid as needed while abroad)
• Medical Exam/Immunizations- (paid by student as needed prior to departure, before financial aid/scholarships disburse)
• Personal expenses- (paid by student at their discretion while abroad.)
• Optional IES tours, and personal travel expenses- (paid as needed while abroad)

Scholarships & Financial Aid

For more information about receiving financial aid while studying abroad, please review the following:UI Financial Aid Information

You can find more information about options for funding your study abroad experience including scholarships on Undergraduate Scholarships for Study Abroad.

In addition, take a look at IES Abroad’s Scholarship website for information about scholarships offered directly through your program provider.

How to Apply

• Meet with the appropriate study abroad advisor to discuss your study abroad plans well ahead of the application deadline. Your application will not be approved until you've completed this step. You can set up an appointment by calling UI Study Abroad at 319-335-0353 or through the Advising Appointment section of your MyUI account.
• Meet with your academic advisor to review your program and ensure that it is a good match for your academic and personal goals.
• If you and your academic advisor agree that the program is a good match for you, complete the UI Study Abroad application. Please note that the non-refundable $50 application fee will be charged to your U-Bill as part of this online application.
• Create an account in the IES Portal and complete the online application for your desired program.
• Complete all of the online sections of the application. Note: The IES online application takes 1-2 business days to activate. Submit your application 1-2 days before the IES application deadline to ensure it is received in time to be considered.
• Send an official University of Iowa transcript to IES Abroad. You can find information about requesting an official transcript here: Requesting a Transcript
• Upload any additional documents required for your IES application.
• Your Study Abroad advisor will complete the Home School Authorization once you have completed the UI application and the IES application.
• IES Abroad will contact you by email to inform you of your acceptance decision within several weeks.

Post-Acceptance

Confirmation

If you are accepted to your IES program, you will be asked to commit to participating in your program by submitting 1) the University of Iowa Confirmation of Participation form, and 2) the IES Abroad Intent to Enroll document.

After you have formally confirmed your plans to participate, you will work both with UI Study Abroad and with IES Abroad. Follow instructions from both. Later in the semester, your UI study abroad advisor will contact you regarding orientation sessions, registration, and other required UI procedures and documentation.

Application Deadline

The application deadline for the Fall and Academic Year is February 24.

The application deadline for the Spring session is September 7.

Health & Safety Planning

All students preparing to study abroad should review the following:

Iowa Regents CISI Health Insurance Information

Students are also encouraged to complete the Health Preparation Guide for International Travelform with their medical practitioner. This document is intended to help you plan for your medical needs abroad. Please DO NOT turn this form in to UI Study Abroad.

Immigration/Visa

All program participants are required to complete immigration requirements to enter and study in your host country. UI Study Abroad and your program provider/host institution abroad will provide you with immigration instructions prior to departure.

Note that permission to enter and study in your host country is provided exclusively by the host country’s government based on that country's immigration requirements. Your host country’s immigration requirements may include considerations related to specific national origin, national heritage, criminal background status, and similar issues that can make it impossible to receive permission to enter the country in some cases. Contact your UI study abroad advisor for more information.

It is essential that you thoroughly review all of your immigration materials before you leave for your host country to ensure that they are absolutely complete and accurate. It is entirely your responsibility to ensure that all of your immigration materials are in order and fully accurate before you leave for your host country. If any of your immigration materials contain inaccurate information of any kind, contact your UI study abroad advisor immediately to discuss your options.

Do not take steps to complete your host country’s immigration requirements until you receive more information from UI Study Abroad.

Orientation

In order to prepare for your time abroad, you are required by the University of Iowa to complete two orientations. These may be in addition to orientations provided by your on-site provider. See below for more information.

Online Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation

You are required to complete the International Programs online ‘Education Abroad Pre-Departure Orientation’ course distributed through ICON prior to departure. This orientation is mandatory for all students going abroad under the auspices of the University of Iowa. It covers many practical matters about living overseas, such as health and safety, communication, money, goals and much more. You will be enrolled in this course by International Programs and an email will be sent to you once enrolled. If you have any questions you can email safety-abroad@uiowa.edu

Program-Specific Orientation

This orientation will be facilitated by your study abroad advisor and will cover content specific to your program and host country. It could be conducted in a group setting or one-on-one depending on your type of planned activity abroad. Your study abroad advisor will send you more information about this mandatory in-person session.