Learn the Terms

Getting Started

img_1026_nicole-denbleyker.jpg

Interested in studying abroad? Here's the best place to start! We encourage students and families to review all the information on this page as the first step in the study abroad process. Our team recognizes that preparing to study abroad can feel confusing or overwhelming.

We've done our best to simplify and explain the process here. You can review the different program types and common terminology used throughout our website.

We have also broken down the UNM GEO requirements and explained the varying processes that students must understand. There are many moving parts and constituents that play a role in the study abroad process.  

Finally, we have also asked returned study abroad students to share advice for any prospective students thinking about study abroad.

 

 

 

 

  

Nicole, Dongguk University, Spring 2023 

Program Types

  • Education Abroad or Study Abroad? - We use these terms interchangeably on our website. Education Abroad is a broad term that can mean any of the following: 
    • Academic coursework pertaining to a degree 
    • Internships 
    • Service-learning 
    • Research 
    • International academic travel 
    • Language learning 
    • Intercultural experiences and exposure 
  • Exchange Program - A study abroad program where the school has a specific agreement with UNM to accept our students. Students continue to pay their UNM tuition (scholarships & aid included) while abroad with the partner institution.   
  • Direct Enrollment – A study abroad program offered by a provider company or a university without a formal exchange agreement with UNM. For these programs, the student must apply, enroll, and pay the provider tuition directly to the third-party organization. Students must register their direct enrollment study abroad program with the UNM Global Education Office by completing an Independent Study Abroad application by the proper deadline. Students participating in direct enrollment programs may still be eligible to use scholarships, aid, and funding from UNM. It is advised to double-check eligibility with the Financial Aid Office. Course credits can transfer back to UNM if it is an accredited/approved provider or university. 
    • Third-Party or Provider Programs – Third-party or provider programs, such as USAC, are private organizations that run their own specialized study abroad programming. These programs can be a great option for students who would like to study with another group of Americans and have a more concrete and guided itinerary for their time abroad.  
  • Faculty-Led (Group) Programs – Faculty-led programs are study abroad programs designed and orchestrated by UNM professors or group leaders. Faculty often create specialized UNM classes that take students to different countries to learn and receive specific UNM course credits. 
 

Terminology

  • Host Institution – The university or company that will be hosting a student's study abroad program. Students will communicate with their host study abroad office, advisors, or appropriate staff to work out program-specific details such as housing, arrival dates and orientation, enrolling in courses, acquiring transcripts, and all day-to-day experiences while they are abroad. 
  • Nominations – UNM study abroad advisors notify the host institutions of the students that will represent UNM on exchange for any given term. Each host institution will have its own nomination deadline. This step occurs after a student is accepted by UNM to study abroad, but prior to a student’s application directly to the host institution.  
    • Direct Enroll Institutions may also request UNM GEO approval for student applications.  
  • Passport or Visa – Legal documents related to immigration travel. Students should have a valid passport prior to applying to study abroad. A passport is granted by the country of citizenship. A visa is granted by the host country and allows an individual legal stay in the country for a specific timeframe. 
    • Students should research visa requirements prior to studying abroad. Application processes vary based on individual citizenship and travel plans.  
  • Language Requirements – Application requirements by the host institution regarding the language ability of prospective students. May require formal testing or on-site placement tests.  
  • Travel Advisory - The U.S. Department of State issues a Travel Advisory for each country of the world. UNM students planning travel to a country with a Level 3 or 4 are required to go through the UNM HSAC review process. 
    • "Travel Advisories follow a consistent format and use plain language to help U.S. citizens find and use important security information. Travel Advisories apply up to four standard levels of advice, describe the risks, and provide clear actions U.S. citizens should take to help ensure their safety." - Learn more about Travel Advisories on the U.S. Department of State website.

UNM Processes

  • UNM GEO Requirements – All UNM students who study abroad are required to go through the Global Education Office/Education Abroad application process. Both exchange and independent students need to have completed a UNM study abroad application prior to the proper deadline to meet this requirement.
    • Application decisions are released in two batches -- early decision & final deadline.
    • Nominations take place after the final deadline. 
    • All accepted students will attend the mandatory orientation the semester before they go abroad.  
    • Students will complete pre-departure tasks at least one month before their program begins. 
  • ISEP 888 or ISEP 999 – UNM placeholder courses that all study abroad students receiving transfer credit 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 
  • Mandatory Travel and Health Insurance – Per UNM Policy 2710, all study abroad students are required to obtain and demonstrate that they have acquired comprehensive travel and 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. Nor do the standard plans offered to UNM faculty and staff. For this reason, UNM GEO has contracted with Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) to offer international coverage to students.  
  • International Credit Transfer Process – The steps all students who are seeking academic credit for their study abroad will go through. Credits obtained from accredited institutions transfer to UNM as general electives. Course equivalency is granted by each UNM department through a pre-approval and final approval process. 

Exchange Timeline

study-abroad-exchange-timeline-infographic.png

Student Advice

Travel Blog from Draven G. - Abroad with USAC: Verona for Spring 2023

What is one piece of advice you have for any prospective study abroad students?

Plan Early and Do It!
Planning your study abroad experience will be challenging, and there will be times that you want to give up. Don't. This is one of the richest, most life-changing experiences you can give yourself, and the best time to do it is NOW!Chambéry, France - University of Savoie Mont Blanc
Plan it out in advance. Be prepared for many issues and make a plan for a budget and places you want to go. Enjoy the country while you are there because your time will be over before you know it.Madrid, Spain - Comillas Pontifical University
DO ALL OF THE APPLICATION STUFF EARLIER! Please do not be like me when applying and do it all last minute.
Enjoy your time where ever you may be studying as it is going to go by so fast! Take as many pictures and videos as you can and don't be afraid to talk to new people!
Tokyo, Japan - Rikkyo University
Start the process early and have fun while you’re abroad. Don’t be afraid to travel to other places/countries if you get the chance.Maynooth, Ireland - Maynooth University
Start preparing earlier than you think you need to and get as much info as you can about which study program works best for you!Granada, Spain - CLM
Just go for it, you will not have such a good opportunity to travel abroad and make loads of friends like this in your college years. This is the perfect time to do it, so if you are able to fit at least a semester into your time at UNM then you should definitely study abroad. Perth, Australia - The University of Western Australia (UWA)
Don’t over think it just do it Valencia, Spain
Life is short and so is your time in another country so enjoy it! I do my best to travel as much as I can, Lara and I went on a weekend trip to Germany & since being here I've visited 5+ countries with the intention of visiting more. Amsterdam, The Netherlands - VU Amsterdam
 
Get Involved
Get out and meet people and make connections. Travel and explore.Aberdeen, Scotland - University of Aberdeen
One piece of advice I have a prospective students is to join programs and clubs at the Host  University. This will give won the opportunity to meet local students and other exchange students.Seoul, South Korea - Dongguk University
This is a one and a life time experience, don’t be afraid to try new things and get out of your comfort zone. Travel and talk to as many people as you possibly can. Cherish all of the small moments. San Sebastián, Spain - USAC
Put yourself out there. Meeting brand-new people is never easy. Putting yourself out there will allow you to make life-long friends. Tokyo, Japan - Rikkyo University
I recommend to pack lightly and travel around if you can. Go to all the events and experience everything.Santander, Spain- Universidad de Cantabria
Don’t be afraid to meet new people, explore different places and try new things!Seoul, South Korea - Dankook University
It's okay to be scared, but it's better to be brave and explore the world. Leeds, England - University of Leeds

 

Stay Open Minded
Don’t feel bad if you freak out. Not going to lie, the day I moved, it felt like a mistake. Don’t let these feelings scare you away! While it was the hardest thing to leave home, I don’t regret it. Embrace every feeling you experience and give it a month, at least. I promise you’ll be okay. Montreal, Canada - Concordia University
I would recommend to be open to anything, and not to stick in a small group once you get here. Everyone on the campus is open to meeting people, and being open to new experiences allows you to meet people from large varieties of cultures and makes the experience a whole lot better!Amsterdam, Netherlands - Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam
Be open about your culture and embrace the differences.Nicosia, Cyprus - University of Nicosia
My one piece of advice for any prospective study abroad student would be to say "yes" and embrace all of the opportunities and resources at your finger tips. Don't be afraid to adventure and explore because that is how you learn and grow! Madrid, Spain - Universidad Carlos III de Madrid 
One piece of advice to to stay open minded and do not compare your home to your study abroad country. Just be a sponge and absorb all you can!Verona, Italy - Istituto Universitario Salesiano Venezia, USAC
 
More of the Student Perspective
Experience everything to the fullest. Live in the moment as much as you can because before you know it your time is up and you must leave the people and places you have grown to know and love. So try and soak up as much time and memories as you can handle because it so worth it Seoul, South Korea - Dongguk University 
Traveling can be stressful, especially for anyone that has been born and raised in New Mexico like many UNM students, but it is also beautiful beyond belief. There is an importance in learning more about the world that you live in. It is humbling, and you will learn so much about yourself and how you want to continue to direct yourself through this world. Hatfield, United Kingdom- The University of Hertfordshire
Here's the logistical advice I would give:

1. Don't forget your CISI international insurance. I got seriously sick while abroad, and they were available 24/7 to help me. The coverage was also a life-saver, since my plan in the US wouldn't have covered medical expenses abroad.

2. A lot of the study abroad materials advise you to buy your plane tickets several months or weeks in advance, but in my experience this hasn't been the best move. I've found that, at least for Spain-US flights, it's approximately just as cheap to buy flights 3 days in the future versus 3 weeks in the future. On the other hand, if your plans change, it's extremely rare that your money gets refunded by the airline (unless you buy refundable tickets, which can cost an arm and a leg).		Granada, Spain - Universidad de Granada
I never considered how lonely it would be at times, I would recommend that prospective study abroad students try and go with a friend or someone they know, just to have some familiarity in a whole new placeBrighton, England- University of Sussex
Watch the weather before and see the stereotypes of the people.Amsterdam, The Netherlands - VU Amsterdam
One piece of advice I would give is that if you have the opportunity to travel outside of where you’re staying, go for it!! I was fortunate enough to travel not only to Toulouse, but to Porto, Paris, Marseille, London, and Dublin.Toulouse, France - Université de Toulouse Jean-Jaures (UT2J)