Study Abroad Programs
Where can I study abroad?
- UNM offers programs across the world, including Africa, Asia, Europe, North America, South America, and Oceania. You can search programs here.
What type of study abroad programs can I participate in?
- UNM offers different types of programs, including Exchange, Direct Enrollment/Independent Study Abroad, and Faculty-Led Programs. Students are encouraged to select programs that are the best academic, financial, and personal matches for themselves.
How do I pick a program?
- Students are required* to meet with an advisor prior to applying to study abroad. Study abroad advisors can help you compare different program options.
- Questions to consider when picking a program:
- When do you want to study abroad?
- Where do you want to study abroad?
- Does this program offer the classes I need to take to stay on graduation track?
- Do I meet the language requirements of this program?
- Does this city offer housing that is within my budget?
- Do I prefer a large city or a small town?
- What is the visa process like for this country and am I prepared to take the steps needed to obtain a student visa if needed?
*Students applying to Faculty-Led Programs are not required to meet with advisors before applying.
How many times can I study abroad?
- The average study abroad student will spend one semester to a full year abroad. Students should consult their academic advisor about residency requirements, transfer credits, and the feasibility of finding major specific coursework abroad.
Can I participate in a program that is not listed on the UNM Program Search page?
- Students may have the option to participate in direct enroll or a third-party/provider programs not listed on our website. These should be for-credit, academic programs hosted at accredited institutions. Students participating in a non-UNM program are still required to apply and be accepted through the UNM Global Education Office in order to study abroad. If the program is not listed on our website, students should complete the Independent Study Abroad application.
Financial Aid & Scholarships
How much will it cost to study abroad?
- The cost of studying abroad depends on the location, duration, and type of program. Students should complete the UNM Study Abroad Budget Template to understand their personal costs and to compare programs.
Can I use my financial aid to study abroad?
In almost all cases, you can use your financial aid to study abroad. This includes the Lottery Scholarship, Opportunity Scholarship, Federal Pell Grants, and many other scholarships you may receive at UNM. Review the "Using Financial Aid" tab on our Funding and Scholarships page for more information.
Where do I find scholarships for study abroad?
How do I maintain my aid while abroad?
- It is your responsibility to know the requirements for you scholarships (GPA, credit hours, etc.) and maintain these while you are abroad. You can reach out to the Scholarship Office or Financial Aid Office to understand your requirements.
Applications
How do I get started?
- We encourage students and families to review all the information on our 10 Steps to Study Abroad page as the first step in the study abroad process. After you have selected the program you wish to apply for, you will open your own application by clicking the "Term Information" tab on the program brochure. Faculty-led programs may have their own application requirements. Independent study abroad students can complete their application here.
What are the eligibility requirements?
- General eligibility requirements for studying abroad at UNM can be viewed here. Students should review the program brochure for specific requirements (ex. language requirements, GPA, etc.).
How many applications can I submit per semester?
- While students are only able to complete one exchange application per semester, they are welcome to apply for multiple study abroad programs as long as the term dates do not overlap.
- Exchange applications will ask students to select a second and third choice program in the event that their first choice is not available. There is no need to complete multiple exchange applications per semester.
How do I request a PDF of my unofficial or official UNM transcript for my application?
- Official transcripts are issued by the Registrar's Office. Instructions on how to request both unofficial and official transcripts can be found on the Registrar's website.
When are applications due? When do new study abroad applications open?
I missed an application deadline. Can I still apply?
- Due to the intricacies of the planning and pre-departure process, late applications will not be considered. We advise that students begin planning for studying abroad one year in advance.
When will I receive an application decision?
- All of the UNM study abroad applications will be reviewed after each deadline passes. Students will receive a decision within a few weeks after the deadline.
Do I need a passport before I apply?
- The Global Education Office strongly recommends that students already have a passport or have applied for their passport prior to submitting their study abroad application. Passports can be required for host applications and/or visa applications. Students with a passport should verify that their passport is valid for at least six months after their planned return date to the US.
Pre-Departure
How do I register for classes abroad? How will the credits transfer back to UNM?
- Class registration will vary by program. Review the Credit Transfer page on our website for more information on transferring international credits to UNM.
What is ISEP 888/999?
- ISEP 888 or ISEP 999 are UNM placeholder courses that all study abroad students receiving transfer credit or financial aid are required to enroll in for the semester they are abroad. These are special, 0-credit courses that signal to the Bursar, Registrar, and Financial Aid Offices at UNM that a student is studying abroad and planning on transferring in credit from another school for the term.
- ISEP 888 – Semester Exchange Students
- ISEP 999 – All Summer Programs, All Direct Enroll Programs
How do I figure out housing abroad?
What is a visa? How do I know if I need one?
- A visa or residence permit are documents that permit you to enter a country and legally stay for the duration of your study abroad program. Review the Visas and Residence Permits page on our website for more information.
Why do I need to register for international health and travel insurance?
- The UNM University Administrative Policy 2710 requires that all study abroad students obtain comprehensive health insurance for the duration of their stay abroad. The standard domestic policies held by UNM students, such as Blue Cross Blue Shield and Presbyterian, do not meet these requirements. For this reason, UNM GEO has contracted with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) to offer international coverage to students. Review the Health & Safety page on our website for more information.
Post Study Abroad
When will I receive my transcript?
- On average, transcripts are available 3 months after your study abroad program ends. Please review the Credit Transfer page on our website for more details on transcript processing.
Can I study abroad again?
- Yes, but students should consult their academic advisor about residency requirements, transfer credits, and the feasibility of finding major specific coursework abroad.
How do I stay involved with the international community at UNM?
Family & Support
Why is studying abroad important?
- The University of New Mexico strongly endorses the nationally recognized need to promote global awareness of and sensitivity to multicultural issues in today's interdependent world.
- Studying abroad can help your student develop a stronger sense of self, increase independence, communication, and problem-solving skills, and build better financial literacy. Studying abroad is an experience that can be added to a resume and ultimately make students stronger candidates for career opportunities in the future.
How much does studying abroad cost?
- The cost of studying abroad depends on the location, duration, and type of program. Students should complete the UNM Study Abroad Budget Template to understand their personal costs and to compare programs.
- Please, review the Funding and Scholarships page for more information on how students can use and maintain financial aid & scholarships while abroad and to access a list of study abroad-specific scholarships.
Will studying abroad prevent my student from graduating on time?
- Planning ahead and thoroughly researching the credit transfer process can allow students to maintain their current graduation schedule. Students should work closely with their academic advisors throughout the study abroad application cycle to pick a program that works best with their individual academic needs.
- Review the Credit Transfer page on our website for more information on transferring international credits to UNM.
Where will my student live?
Is studying abroad safe?
- Though absolute safety cannot be guaranteed abroad, just as it cannot be guaranteed here in the United States, UNM is committed to taking the necessary steps to maximize student safety at every program site. Please, take some time to review our Health and Safety page for more information. All students will:
- Be required to purchase comprehensive health insurance for the duration of their stay abroad
- Be required to attend a Pre-Departure Orientation to learn the details of living safely in another country and what steps to take to prepare for and handle an emergency.
- Be required to register for the U.S. State Department's Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP).
- Have access to a 24-Hour Emergency Phone
How do I stay in contact with my student when they are abroad?
- Staying in touch with your student while they are abroad is easier than ever. Common communication methods include WhatsApp, Skype, Facetime, Tango, Viper, email; etc.
- Families and loved ones are encouraged to create a communication plan that is a healthy balance of both your and your student's communication preferences and frequency of contact.
- Ex: Every Saturday morning my student will send a WhatsApp message and we will plan on video chatting once a month.
What is my role in the study abroad process?
- Studying abroad is an opportunity for students to learn and grow. They should be entirely responsible for understanding the expectations and requirements of studying abroad. Family support can take many different forms as long as the student is always in the driver's seat.
Familia y Apoyo
¿Por qué es importante estudiar en el extranjero?
- La Universidad de Nuevo México respalda firmemente la necesidad reconocida a nivel nacional de promover la conciencia global y la sensibilidad hacia los problemas multiculturales en el mundo interdependiente de hoy.
- Estudiar en el extranjero puede ayudar a su estudiante a desarrollar un sentido más fuerte de sí mismo, aumentar la independencia, la comunicación y las habilidades para resolver problemas, y desarrollar una mejor educación financiera. Estudiar en el extranjero es una experiencia que se puede agregar a un currículum y, en última instancia, hacer que los estudiantes sean candidatos más fuertes para oportunidades profesionales en el futuro.
¿Cuánto cuesta estudiar en el extranjero?
- El costo de estudiar en el extranjero depende de la ubicación, la duración y el tipo de programa. Los estudiantes deben completar la plantilla de presupuesto de estudios en el extranjero de la UNM para comprender sus costos personales y comparar programas.
- Por favor, revise la página de Financiamiento y Becas para obtener más información sobre cómo los estudiantes pueden usar y mantener la ayuda financiera y las becas mientras están en el extranjero y para acceder a una lista de becas específicas para estudiar en el extranjero.
¿Estudiar en el extranjero impedirá que mi estudiante se gradúe a tiempo?
- Planificar con anticipación e investigar a fondo el proceso de transferencia de créditos puede permitir que los estudiantes mantengan su calendario de graduación actual. Los estudiantes deben trabajar en estrecha colaboración con sus asesores académicos durante todo el ciclo de solicitud de estudios en el extranjero para elegir el programa que mejor se adapte a sus necesidades académicas individuales.
- Revise la página de Transferencia de Crédito en nuestro sitio web para obtener más información sobre la transferencia de créditos internacionales a UNM.
¿Dónde vivirá mi estudiante?
- Los estudiantes de UNM son responsables de asegurar su propio alojamiento en el extranjero. Si tiene preguntas sobre la ubicación de opciones de alojamiento en el extranjero, comuníquese con la institución anfitriona o con el líder de su programa.
- La pestaña "Housing Information" en cada folleto del programa proporcionará información adicional sobre la vivienda.
¿Es seguro estudiar en el extranjero?
- Aunque la seguridad absoluta no se puede garantizar en el extranjero, así como no se puede garantizar aquí en los Estados Unidos, la UNM se compromete a tomar las medidas necesarias para maximizar la seguridad de los estudiantes en cada sitio del programa. Tómese un tiempo para revisar nuestra página de Salud y Seguridad para obtener más información. Todos los estudiantes:
- Están obligados a comprar un seguro de salud integral durante la duración de su estadía en el extranjero.
- Están obligados a asistir a una orientación previa a la partida para conocer los detalles de cómo vivir de manera segura en otro país y qué pasos tomar para prepararse y manejar una emergencia.
- Están obligados a registrarse en el Programa de inscripción de viajeros inteligentes (STEP) del Departamento de Estado de EE. UU.
- Deben tener acceso a un teléfono de emergencia las 24 horas.
¿Cuál es mi papel en el proceso de estudios en el extranjero?
- Estudiar en el extranjero es una oportunidad para que los estudiantes aprendan y crezcan. Deben ser completamente responsables de comprender las expectativas y los requisitos de estudiar en el extranjero. El apoyo familiar puede tomar muchas formas diferentes, siempre y cuando el estudiante siempre esté en el asiento del conductor.
