International engagement opportunities available at CalArts include student and faculty exchanges as well as artistic collaborations and partnerships with peer institutions worldwide. These international learning experiences may vary from year to year and range from conventional student exchanges, to short faculty-led curricular or co-curricular projects, as well as independent extra-curricular projects, internships, and residencies.

Current opportunities include participation in the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, Camping, (two-week intensive dance workshops) at the Centre Nacionale de la Dance in Paris and Camping Asia in Taipei, screenings and artistic collaborations in Mexico City with SOMA and Cineteca Nacional de Mexico, an animation internship in Mexico City with Estudios Anima, participation in the Guadalajara International Film Festival Mezcal Jury, participation in Docs Kingdom film seminar in Portugal, artist residencies at Hauser & Wirth at Bath Spa University, and Hospitalfields in Scotland, faculty-led sponsored travel to the Venice Bienniale, as well as a range of other summer residencies and shorter project-based opportunities.

Past opportunities have included a collaboration with ORT University in Uruguay, Feldstaerke International in Germany, residencies at the Jakarta Institute of Arts (IJK), theater projects in France, China, Rwanda and Uganda, as well as “El Acercamiento” in Havana, Cuba. Courses such as Global Initiative: Study Tour of India, and Borges

CalArts Exchange Application

CalArts students interested in participating in either the student exchanges or short international opportunities are encouraged to contact the faculty member in your School who is overseeing international learning experiences:

  • School of Art: Steven Lam, Dean
  • School of Dance: Julie Bours, Faculty
  • School of Critical Studies: Andrew Culp, Director, Aesthetics & Politics Program 
  • School of Film/Video: Rebecca Baron, Associate Dean, for program in Film/Video and Maija Burnett, Director, Character Animation program
  • School of Music: Rob Wannamaker, Associate Dean
  • School of Theater: Amanda Shank, Associate Dean

CalArts students interested in going on exchange in the 2024-2025 academic year should contact Executive Director for International & Community Partnerships and International Student Exchanges Patricia Gonzalez during the fall 2024 semester to learn about the various programs available. Reach her at gonzalez@calarts.edu or 661-222-2750.

CalArts accepts applications from international students interested in attending CalArts on exchange if they are enrolled in one of the following partner institutions. It is recommended that you first consult with the international/study abroad office in your home institution. 

The application deadline for inbound exchange applicants next academic year (2024-2025) is March 1, 2024. To start an exchange application, please click the link below to create an account under first-time users. 

CalArts Exchange application

Student Exchange Programs

Other Study Abroad Resources

  • AFS Intercultural Programs is an international, voluntary, nongovernmental, nonprofit organization that provides intercultural learning opportunities to help people develop the knowledge, skills and understanding needed to create a more just and peaceful world.
  • CIEE: The Council on International Educational Exchange administers approximately 95 study abroad programs in over 33 host countries and teaching programs in Chile, China, Spain, and Thailand. Educators can participate in 26 summer seminars in 29 countries.
  • Global Ecologies Studio Summer School: The Global Ecologies Studio Summer School is a combined studio and science course offered to students who are looking for an opportunity to explore their studio art practice while examining various concepts found in ecology and earth systems. 
  • GoAbroad.com directories contain more than 25,000 opportunities abroad updated daily including study abroad, internships, volunteer opportunities, teach abroad, language schools and much more.
  • GoOverseas.com empowers human connection through perspective-changing travel. Also lists travel abroad scholarships and grants.
  • Idealist, a project of Action Without Borders, is an interactive site where people and organizations can exchange resources and ideas, locate opportunities and supporters, and take steps toward building a world where all people can lead free and dignified lives.
  • Jobted.com is a directory for employment opportunities around the world.
  • Learning Abroad Center is the University of Minnesota's comprehensive resource for study, service-learning, intern, volunteer, work, and travel experiences worldwide.
  • Online University Rankings has a University Study Abroad Guide.
  • OverseasJobs.com features international job opportunities for professionals, expatriates and adventure seekers.
  • Peace Corps Volunteers serve in 73 countries in Africa, Asia, the Caribbean, Central and South America, Europe, and the Middle East in areas like education, youth outreach and community development, the environment, and information technology.