First Year Study Abroad
Start your academic career with a global perspective by living in a new country and immersing yourself in a new culture! You will need to have completed a minimum of 24 university credits before starting your First-Year Study Abroad Program. Programs are offered during the fall and spring semesters of your freshman year at select universities.
Process and Timeline
- Contact gli@umontana.edu by October 15 of your senior year of high school to indicate your interest.
- Meet with the Education Abroad Director by November 15 to discuss your options.
- Apply to the University of Montana by November 15.
- Search for prospective universities that offer First-Year Study Abroad opportunities to find institutions offering courses in your area of academic interest and preferred language of instruction.
- Meet with an academic advisor at UM by mid-December.
- Complete the study abroad application, with a list of planned courses. Due late-January. The application fee is also due at this time.
- Complete the interview process (February).
- Enroll in the 1-credit Study Abroad Prep class required for all participants, which takes place between early-March and late-April (online or face-to-face).
Search All Programs
If you'd like to see all first-year program options, click on the button below to access each program's brochure and application.
Participating ISEP Universities
American University Bulgaria - Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
American University of Sharjah - Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz - Graz, Austria
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso - Valparaiso, Chile
The University of Roehampton - London, United Kingdom
Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore - Milan, Italy
Universite de Caen - Caen, France
University of Sunderland - Sunderland, United Kingdom
Participating Partner Universities
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso - Valparaiso, Chile
University College Cork - Cork, Ireland
Victoria University of Wellington - Wellington, New Zealand
University of Waikato - Hamilton, New Zealand
Aberystwyth University - Aberystwyth, United Kingdom
University of Graz - Graz, Austria
University of Tasmania - Hobart & Launceston, Australia
Southern Cross University - Coffs Harbor & Lismore & Tweed Heads, Australia
American University Bulgaria
Blagoevgrad, Bulgaria
AUBG students are energetic, enthusiastic, and highly intelligent. The multicultural student body includes 40 nationalities. Diversity is honored, inclusiveness is nurtured, and academic excellence is always the intellectual goal. Courses are taught by high-quality, international faculty who are experienced in teaching in a multicultural, learner-centered environment. The interactive teaching found at AUBG fosters the development of intellectual reflection, effective communication, and personal initiative. Bulgarian, French, German, Spanish, mathematics, philosophy, political science, southeastern European studies.
Learn more and Apply!
American University of Sharjah
Sharjah, United Arab Emirates
The American University of Sharjah in the Middle East is an independent, fully accredited institution serving a diverse student body from the region and around the world. Courses are taught in English, giving students an opportunity to study in accredited programs like architecture (NAAB), business (AACSB), and engineering (ABET). Students are encouraged to take advantage of the numerous courses in Arabic language and literature, as well as Middle East culture, history, and contemporary politics.
Sharjah’s culture, firmly rooted in Islamic traditions, embraces courtesy and hospitality, making it a welcoming place to live and study. Students on the Exchange and Direct program will be fully immersed in regular university courses taught in English in a variety of fields, while taking an Arabic language course. AUS has a Community Service Division through which students can be involved in a wide range of community projects.
Learn more and Apply!
Karl-Franzens-Universität Graz
Graz, Austria
Graz, the second largest city in Austria, is located in the southeastern province of Styria often called "the green heart of Austria" because of its extensive forests. Graz has many parks and cultural activities, and provides easy access to sports such as skiing. A popular event is the annual Steirischer Herbst (Styrian Autumn), which encompasses a number of musical, theatrical, and literary performances, as well as accompanying lectures and exhibitions.
The university will strive to find students their own buddy to help with settling in and getting acquainted with student life on our campus (finding departments, online enrollment system, etc.). The International Office meets with the students regularly to check on their level of integration, academic development, etc. The students will also have an academic advisor from the American Studies department.
Learn more and Apply!
Pontificia Universidad Catolica de Valparaiso
Valparaiso, Chile
The university is distributed throughout different campuses and university centers located in the main cities of the Valparaíso region. The region combines beautiful weather, wonderful beaches,and the splendid Cordillera de Los Andes. With a population of more than one million, the region has a multicultural flavor. The city of Valparaíso is the cultural and legislative capital, and the main commercial harbor of Chile. It is the oldest port in South America. Located 70 miles from the capital city of Santiago, Valparaíso fascinates visitors with its history, geography, and architecture.
PUC Valparaiso works with six volunteer organizations within the Valparaiso region. Every semester, the university holds a Volunteer Job Fair where the international students can speak with representatives from the volunteer organizations to obtain more information. If students decide they want to volunteer at one of these organizations, they can then speak with the Education abroad office.
Learn more and Apply (ISEP)
Learn more and Apply (Partner)
The University of Roehampton
London, United Kingdom
Located in leafy, southwest London, the Roehampton campus is surrounded by lively and affluent areas such as Putney, Kingston, and Richmond. Covent Garden, the South Bank, Soho, and Westminster are just 20 minutes away by train, offering a perfect balance for anyone who wants to be in one of the world’s most vibrant cities, while living on a safe and peaceful campus.
New international students receive a warm and friendly welcome to Roehampton each year with an orientation program that includes campus tours, London orientation, and the opportunity to join clubs and societies at the ‘Freshers Fair.’ This is an excellent opportunity for new students to make new friends and get to know the staff at the university.
The Student Life Office – a partnership between the university, Roehampton Students Union, the colleges, and the academic departments – exists to provide you with a dynamic, exciting, and relevant extracurricular experience. With more than 60 societies and sports clubs, there is something for everyone at Roehampton. Also, the Roehampton Students Union (RSU) provides a range of opportunities and volunteering projects, helping you build an impressive portfolio of personal attributes. Roehampton is proud of its international community, which includes students from more than 110 countries.
Learn more and Apply!
Universita Cattolica del Sacro Cuore
Milan, Italy
Located in a stunningly beautiful medieval building in the heart of Milan, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore is a renowned, private higher education institution, as reflected by its degrees, international reputation, rankings, and global network.
This dynamic yet traditional university offers young people not only the opportunity to engage in professional development, but to grow through personal experience, promoting an interdisciplinary approach which helps students gain scientific knowledge in a responsible and independent manner.
Cattolica is where great minds connect. Where enthusiasm meets innovation. Where dedication creates outcomes.
Learn more and Apply!
Universite de Caen
Caen, France
Located in the Normandy region, not far from the D-Day beaches and the English Channel, the Université de Caen offers courses for a full immersion experience or French language and culture courses for international students at the Département de Formations en Langues. Students studying in Caen for a full-year with a high level of French have the opportunity to teach English in local middle or high schools.
A growing city with a population of 200,000, Caen is famed for its two Roman abbeys and its 11th-century castle which also houses a museum. Normandy's beaches and monuments make it an enjoyable area to visit. Paris is about two hours away by train.
Learn more and Apply!
University College Cork
Cork, Ireland
Located in County Cork, Ireland, a region famous for its vibrant seaside villages and rolling green countryside, University College Cork (UCC) was founded in 1845 and is one of the country’s oldest universities. Today there are over 15,000 students enrolled at UCC, and it is Ireland’s leading research institution. In 2017, The Sunday Times named UCC Ireland's University of the Year.
Learn More and Apply!
University of Sunderland
Sunderland, United Kingdom
Sunderland is located on the northeast coast of England with easy access to the nearby coast and countryside. Nearby Newcastle International Airport is within easy reach and has regular flights to the major hubs of Heathrow/Gatwick and Amsterdam. London is approximately 3.5 hours away by train.
The University of Sunderland is a modern, innovative university at the heart of one of the UK’s most up and coming cities. Housed on two campuses, the university offers a wide range of subjects including languages, business and tourism, media production, and performing arts. Winner of The Guardian's 2010 ‘Best new university in the North East of England’, the University of Sunderland is proud to welcome international students from across the world.
Learn more and Apply!
Victoria University of Wellington
Wellington, New Zealand
Located in the center of New Zealand’s culturally rich capital city, Victoria University of Wellington has been a full, government accredited university for over 100 years. Since its foundation, the university has expanded into three campuses, each located in unique and exciting areas of Wellington. Today the university enrolls over 21,000 students, including over 3,000 international students from more than 80 different countries.
Learn More and Apply!
