Go on exchange to North America
The universities listed below are universities with which Åbo Akademi University has made a bilateral agreement (bilateral agreement means that it is free to study at the university, you do not have to pay any tuition fees).
You can find more information about course offerings, possible extra costs, information about accommodation, start dates and other important things by going to their websites (link under each university/network).
You can go on exchange to North America either via our bilateral agreements (see below), or via ISEP (International Student Exchange Programme). ISEP is an exchange network with over 300 universities in over 50 countries. Read more about ISEP here.
Application deadline for the academic year 2025-2026
The deadline for submitting the application in ÅA’s internal application round for the academic year 2025-2026 is 31.01.2025, at 15:00. The application is made in SoleMove. If you want to go on an exchange first in the spring semester 2026, the same deadline applies.
You can read more about Åbo Akademi’s international application for exchange studies here.
The following attachments are required for applications to all universities in USA and Canada via Åbo Akademi’s bilateral agreement:
- Signed study plans to all universities in the application (signed by study advisor or subject coordinator)
- Motivation Letter in English or French (receiving universities language)
- Language certificate from ÅAs language center B2 level in English or French OR Language certificate from IELTS or TOEFL
- 2 recommendation letters from academic staff at ÅA
- Transcript of records from peppi in English
- Photo of yourself
Students first apply internally in ÅA’s application round via SoleMove (deadline 31.01.2025). ÅA then nominates students to the host university and the nominated students then receive detailed information about the application process to the host university directly from them. The application to the host university requires additional attachments that vary by university.
Åbo Akademi’s bilateral agreements
Åbo Akademi’s bilateral agreements with universities in USA and Canada are university wide agreements, which means that the exchange places are open to students from all subjects. University-specific criteria and other information can be found below. Exchange studies at the partner universities are free of charge. For more detailed information about exchanges in USA and Canada please contact Katie Fagerström.
MacEwan University is location in Edmonton, Alberta, Canada, and was founded in 1971 and has approximately 19,000 students (both full-time and part-time). Despite its size, the classes are small (15-20 students), so it is easy to connect with fellow students and teachers. Only possible to study courses at undergraduate level.
Good courses in psychology, political science, international business, chemical engineering, biology, engineering, etc. However, psychology and biology courses can be difficult to get a place on.
The campus is located in the city center and consists of various buildings connected by bridges.
| Places | 2 semester places 2025-2026 |
| Language requirements | Language certificate from ÅAs Language Centre (English level B2). |
| Exchange semesters | Fall – 01.09 – 22.12
Winter – 02.01 – 24.04 |
| Extra costs? | Exchange students at MacEwan must also pay a mandatory fee of approximately 600 CAD for one semester. The fee includes various on-campus study services (bus card, counseling and academic advising, sports, health care and many social activities) and sometimes required course materials. |
Trent University was founded in 1964 and has two campuses: Peterborough (7,000 students) and Oshawa (900 students). More information about Trent University can be found here.
Most programs are at bachelor’s level, but there are some programs at master’s level. Please note that the following programs are not permitted for exchange students: Education, Nursing and Forensic Science. One academic year of full-time study at Trent usually results in 5.0 academic credits.
Good sports at Trent, and 30km of hiking trails across the campus.
| Places | 2 semester places 2025-2026 |
| Language requirements | Language certificate from ÅAs Language Centre (English level B2). |
| Exchange semesters | Fall – 01.09 – 23.12
Winter – 06.01 – 24.04 |
Université Laval is located in the city of Québec (7.4 million inhabitants). The university was founded in 1852. Today, the university has 17 faculties and 44,000 students. Québec City is on the UNESCO World Heritage List and has been the capital of the province of Québec since 1867.
Teaching is given in French at Université Laval. The university offers an intensive 6-week course in French during July and August for students from partner universities. Courses in history, political science, law, sociology, french language and literature, business administration, chemical engineering, etc. Courses taught in french are available here.
Courses taught in english are in Business Administration and English language and literature. Courses taught in english can be found here.
1 credit at Université Laval is equivalent to 2 ECTS.
| Places | 3 full academic year places or 6 semester paces 2025-2026 |
| Language requirements | Language certificate from ÅAs Language center (French level B2)
If you only have a language certificate at French B1 level or no certificate at all, it is possible to take a French online test from Laval after you have been nominated. |
| Exchange semesters | Fall – 30.08 – 15.12
Winter – 11.01 – 26.04 |
Do you want to hear more about exchange studies at Université Laval?
Sign up and join their web conference for students.
The web conference is on 21 November at 16:30 Finnish time and in french.
Register here:
Étudier à ULaval: une expérience de mobilité à Québec | Calendrier | Université Laval
Åbo Akademi has a student exchange agreement with the BCI programme, Programme québécois d’échanges étudiants. Most partner universities require good knowledge in French (B2 Level), but for example, Bishop’s University is entirely in English.
The following universities participate in the student exchange network within BCI:
For current number of places see here: http://echanges-etudiants.bci-qc.ca/?lang=en
Read very carefully the terms and conditions of which subjects are available for exchange students per university on the page!
- Université de Sherbrooke
- Université du Québec à Montréal
- Université du Québec à Trois-Rivières
- Université du Québec à Rimouski
- Université du Québec en Outaouais
- Univ. du Québec en Abitibi-Témiscamingue
- École de technologie supérieure
How to search: Students Registered at a University in Another Country -> Selection of the Host Institution. ->List of programs open to exchange students from outside of Québec eller Programmes d’études ouverts aux étudiants hors Québec.
For more information please visit: http://echanges-etudiants.bci-qc.ca/?lang=en
| Places | (to be confirmed but about) 1-2 per semester. Antal platser beror på universitetet. |
The university is located in Tallahassee, Florida with 200,000 inhabitants and 70,000 students (young student city). A state university with approx. 10,000 inhabitants, which also does research.
- 40 min by car/bus to the nearest beach (Gulf of Mexico)
- The city is committed to art and culture with over 24 art galleries and 15 museums.
- Great programs in computer science and cyber security, criminology, political sciences, business and sociology, communication, pedagogy and classroom teachers/toddler teachers, mathematics, all natural sciences.
- 54 bachelor’s programs, 29 master’s programs and 12 PhD programs
- Possible to do teaching practice here.
- Gym on campus and possibility to join in on all sports
| Places/Duration | 2 semester places for 2025-2026 |
| Language requirements | Language certificate from ÅAs language center (English B2 level) |
| Exchange semesters | Fall – 20.08 – 15.12
Spring – 04.01 – 10.05 |
Fort Lewis College is situated in i Durango, Colorado. It is a small university with only around 3,500 students.
- The campus is situated on a plateau in the middle of a mountainous area.
- Has a mix of subjects (business administration, environmental studies, biology, teacher education, gender, indigenous studies, geology, biochemistry, engineering, psychology etc).
- Small class sizes, easy to meet people
- Bachelor’s level studies only
- There are 3 ski resorts near Durango, many walking/hiking trails, an ice park and much more. If you enjoy being outdoors and exploring in your spare time, highly recommend Fort Lewis College!
Here you can find a list of their courses – https://www.fortlewis.edu/majorsandprograms
| Places/Duration: | 1 place during autumn and 1 place during spring, or one place for the whole academic year 2025-2026 |
| Language requirements |
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| Exchange semesters | Fall – 28.08 – 15.12
Spring – 15.01 – 09.05 |
Northwest Missouri State University
Northwest Missouri State University is located in Maryville, Missouri. It was originally founded as a teacher’s college. Today, it offers both bachelor’s and master’s programs. It has many good programs, particularly in IT and Marine Biology, which ÅA students might be interested in.
Additionally, NWMSU offers ÅA teacher students the opportunity to do optional school internships for 3-6 weeks. Applications for internships are made using the same form as for exchange studies.
All exchange students receive their own laptop to use while there, as well as the textbooks for their courses. Housing is provided in dorms on the green and safe campus.
NWMSU is about the same size as ÅA, so you won’t feel lost immediately 🙂
Read more at http://www.nwmissouri.edu/
| Places/Duration | 4 semester places or 2 full year places, teaching practice for 3-6 weeks for teaching students 2025-2026 |
| Language Requirements | Language certificate from ÅA’s language center (English B2 level) |
| Exchange semesters | Fall . 15.08 – 12.12
Spring – 06.01 – 08.05 |
Presbyterian College (PC), founded in 1880, is located in Clinton, South Carolina (10,000 inhabitants). As a college, it only offers bachelor’s programs.
PC currently has 1,200 students, meaning class sizes are very comfortable (about 15 students per course). It has fantastic programs, including psychology!
Over 107 different majors, minors and programs! Very good program in psychology, religion and pedagogy. The same structure in subjects as ÅA has.
For information, see http://www.presby.edu/admissions/dept/majors_minors.html for a complete list.
| Places/Duration | 2 half year places or 1 whole academic year place 2025-2026 |
| Language Requirements | English Proficiency:
|
| Exchange semesters | Fall – 20.08 – 15.12
Spring – 7.01 – 11.05 |
Troy University is located in the city of Troy, Alabama. It has about 11,500 students and is a public university.
The course offerings are quite similar to those at ÅA. Their International Office organizes excursions and trips almost monthly. Orientation starts in early August (around August 9), but classes end in early December.
Information for international students
| Places/Duration | 1 half year place 2025-2026 |
| Language Requirements | Language certificate from ÅA’s language center (English B2 level) |
Utica University, founded in 1946, is located in Utica, New York (62,000 inhabitants). Utica University has about 3,600 students and offers a four-year education up to a Bachelor’s degree. Some master’s programs are offered. Utica College offers 37 majors and 27 minors. Exchange students can train with their Division 3 teams but are free to participate in their intramural sports program.
For course information, see www.utica.edu/academic/programs.cfm
For course schedules, see: https://bannerweb.utica.edu/PROD/bwckschd.p_disp_dyn_sched
For course descriptions, see: https://catalog.utica.edu/content.php?catoid=51&navoid=3226
| Places/Duration | 2 full year places or 2 half year places 2025-2026 |
| Language Requirements | Language certificate from ÅA’s Language center (English B2 Level) |
University at Albany, State University of New York
Starting from the academic year 1998-99, ÅA can offer a place for one academic year at SUNY, University at Albany within a bilateral agreement. University at Albany, founded in 1844, has about 17,000 students and is located in New York State. Both bachelor’s and master’s students from all faculties and subject areas can participate in the exchange. For master’s level studies, a TOEFL is required. The agreement assumes a balance between incoming and outgoing students.
For more information, see www.albany.edu
https://ualbany.studioabroad.com/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.ViewProgram&Program_ID=10331
| Places/Duration | No places during 2025-2026 |
California State University, Long Beach
In 2004, Åbo Akademi has a bilateral student exchange agreement with California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). Founded in 1949, CSULB is part of the California State University system with 23 campuses. It is located in Long Beach, Southern California, and has over 33,000 students. The university includes the following colleges: The Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Health & Human Services, Liberal Arts, Natural Sciences & Mathematics.
The exchange duration is one semester, with no possibility of extension. The agreement assumes a balance between incoming and outgoing students. Note that only one of the semester-long places can be granted to a student in business administration. Places in management and marketing are very difficult to obtain. A flexible study plan is recommended.
For more information, see www.csulb.edu
www.ccpe.csulb.edu/international/visitor.aspx?pID=90
| Places/Duration: | No places 2025-2026 |
| Language Requirements | Language certificate from ÅA’s Language center (English B2 Level) |