Where should I go?
When and for how long should I study abroad?
Where can I go to study abroad in English?
How do I start an application?
Academics
How do I ensure course credits transfer?
How will my GPA be affected?
How can I work towards my major while abroad?
Can I fulfill general education requirements while abroad?
Financial
How much will it cost?
Can I use FAFSA and other loans to go abroad?
Are there scholarships to help me go abroad?
What costs are not covered by my payment for school?
Partner vs. ISEP
What is the difference between ISEP and a Partner exchange?
Is it better to do ISEP exchange or ISEP direct?
Logistics
How well do I need to speak the language of where I’m going?
Do I need a visa to study abroad?
Where will I live?
What are the chances of placement?
Will I need a letter of recommendation?
Do letters of recommendation have to be from University Montana professors or staff?
Can I have two applications to two separate universities?
Where and How
Where should I go? ^
- Through partnerships with foreign universities and programs like ISEP, we offer over 125 different options to study in virtually any corner of the world as well as several faculty-directed programs every semester.
When and for how long should I study abroad? ^
- It all depends; you can study for a semester, a full year, during a summer session, or even a winter session. Depending on where and what your personal wants are, you decide. There are certain deadlines for each program, but, within the time frame, you can study in the summer, winter, fall and/or spring.
Where can I go to study abroad in English? ^
- There are, of course, several English-speaking countries that are available to students: i.e. the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia, etc. There are also several universities that offer programs in English for certain disciplines in all parts of the world.
How do I start an application? ^
- Come talk to us at the International Center or e-mail us at studyabroad@umontana.edu and tell us where you want to go. On our website from the University of Montana there is a link as well to start your application in your chosen program and country.
Academics
How do I ensure course credits transfer? ^
- There is a form to be completed before you leave outlining which courses you plan to take which will be approved by our office, your major department head, and the general education requirements office. Finding where each class can fit and count is detailed, but every credit earned abroad will transfer to something here.
How will my GPA be affected? ^
- Your cumulative University of Montana GPA is not affected by your grades while abroad, but these grades will have bearing on the University of Montana’s honors calculations, applications for professional programs through the University of Montana, etc.
How can I work towards my major while abroad? ^
- In cooperation with your major department head, you can find classes that you will be able to take at your host university that he or she can approve to transfer as a course within your major.
Can I fulfill general education requirements while abroad? ^
- Yes; but courses that you will take abroad that you would like to fulfill a general education requirement must be approved by the admissions department.
Financial
How much will it cost? ^
- Oftentimes, it is much more affordable than you would think. With our exchange programs, you pay your tuition, room and board, and meal plan to the University of Montana; there are other expenses involved, but, in general, it is not outrageously more than a semester or year in Missoula.
Can I use FAFSA and other loans to go abroad? ^
- Yes; in exception to few cases, how you pay for your attendance at the University of Montana is how you can pay for your time abroad.
Are there scholarships to help me go abroad? ^
- Yes; there are several scholarships through the International Program at the University of Montana, as well as scholarships that can be offered from specific departments of the University: the French department, the Spanish department, etc.
What costs are not covered by my payment for school? ^
- Your flights to and from your host country
- Insurance payments
- Application Fees
- Costs associated with obtaining a visa
- Spending money for your time to travel, to eat out, to explore, to experience the culture
Partner vs. ISEP
What is the difference between ISEP and a Partner exchange? ^
- Partner exchanges are agreements that the University of Montana has directly with the host university. You pay tuition, room, board, etc. directly to the University of Montana and all details are prearranged said agreement.
- ISEP exchanges are with the ISEP program with which the University of Montana has an agreement. The exchange is done through their program with our oversight, and it provides options to go to universities that are not in direct partnership with the University of Montana.
Is it better to do ISEP exchange or ISEP direct? ^
- That is depending on where you go and what you would like to do. There some programs that are only exchange, and there are some that are only direct. Exchanges are when our university sends you, their university sends a student here, and your payment is made to the University of Montana; direct exchange is when your payments are through the host university directly, and there is not necessarily an exchange of a student from their university. This decision is mainly based upon financial specificities and if the program only offers a specific type of exchange.
Logistics
How well do I need to speak the language of where I’m going? ^
- For a full emersion, in general, it is necessary to have taken the equivalent of four semesters of the language. However, there are several universities that offer courses in English in certain disciplines, and there are some that have specific programs for foreign students to learn the language.
Do I need a visa to study abroad? ^
- Yes; every country has its own version of a student visa with unique requirements and application processes. Our office has information for every country in our programs for visas.
Where will I live? ^
- Most universities have housing programs for foreign students, albeit in university housing, host families, etc. Payment for this is covered in your housing payments to either the University of Montana or your host university, depending on your specific program.
What are the chances of placement? ^
- That is very difficult to determine. It is rare that a student is turned away from going anywhere, but it is possible that you may be only accepted to your third or fourth choice university, instead of your first. The decision is a combination of the strength of your application, your area of study, popularity of the location, etc.
Will I need a letter of recommendation? ^
- Yes; the application requires one academic reference.
Do letters of recommendation have to be from University Montana professors or staff? ^
- No, but a professor is recommended for the reference.
Can I have two applications to two separate universities? ^
- Yes, it is necessary to have a few different options in where you are applying, in case your first choice does not accept you. But it is also possible to apply to two different universities; say, for instance, you would like to go to one in the fall, and then another in the spring.