Study abroad is a life-changing experience. It can bring fresh perspectives on career choices, politics and economics, and human relations. However, planning is crucial to the success of overseas study and should begin at least one year prior to departure. How well U.S. students achieve their personal and academic objectives--and their long-range career goals--depends on their choice of the right country, institution, and program.

It is also imperative that students involve their academic advisors in the process of choosing a program. This is to ensure that academic credit can be granted for the work done abroad. It is also very helpful to meet and speak with students from other countries who are studying in the U.S.A. to learn what it is like to be an "International Student."

WHY STUDY ABROAD?

Reasons for participating in a study abroad experience are as varied as the people who do it. Whether you want to experience other cultures first-hand, see the U.S.A. from an international perspective, test your foreign language skills, or trace your personal history, you will surely return a changed person with a new understanding of the world and yourself. Whatever your motivation, we encourage you to use the information in this publication to help you turn your dreams into reality.

ELIGIBILITY

Students planning to study abroad must be highly motivated, successful students. This usually means a minimum grade point average of 2.5; however, 3.0 is required for many programs. Intellectual curiosity and personal flexibility are important traits to cultivate in oneself prior to beginning an international experience. Academically, the junior year is an ideal time to study abroad, however, sophomores and seniors can often be accommodated, depending on the individual and the program of study.

SELECTING A PROGRAM

Questions to consider when deciding on the program which best suits your needs are:
Has a specific academic program been recommended to you?
How does study abroad fit in with your education at UMF?
Do you speak a foreign language? At what level of proficiency?
Is there a country that holds a particular attraction for you?
Do you want to live in a large city or in a more rural setting?
On campus or off?
What are your financial resources?

ACADEMIC CREDIT

Once you decide on the school you will be attending abroad, you will meet with your academic advisor to select courses. You must have a thorough understanding of your degree requirements so that you can make informed course changes as necessary while you are overseas.

The student's major department will determine whether study abroad work will be credited toward the student's degree requirements at UMF. You should contact your academic advisor as early as possible to determine what courses taken abroad may be accepted for credit by UMF.

Some courses offered by those colleges and universities with which UMF has formal exchange agreements automatically qualify for credit. Other courses may be accepted for credit either prior to or upon your return from abroad. Courses not pre-approved will be reviewed for credit by examining syllabi and other information the student brings back to UMF after their time abroad.

PREPARING FOR DEPARTURE

Informational meetings are held each semester for students preparing to depart on study abroad programs. These meetings cover a variety of topics and issues pertinent to particular programs as well as information common to all programs such as academic expectations and cultural adjustment.

FINANCIAL ASSISTANCE

With the exception of Federal Work-Study awards, students can use most types of financial assistance otherwise available for study at UMF to finance study abroad. Transfer of funds is NOT automatic however, so any student considering using financial aid for study abroad should meet, early on, with a financial aid advisor to discuss his or her individual case.

INTERNATIONAL STUDENT IDENTIFICATION CARDS

The Office of Enrollment Services and Exchange Programs is an issuing agent for ISIC: International Student Identification Cards. All students who apply for study abroad, will purchase this card as part of the application process. In addition to providing the holder of the card with discounts on travel, entertainment, and lodging, the card provides a limited health insurance policy for the student traveler.

PASSPORTS AND VISAS

Students preparing for a trip overseas for the first time will need to obtain a passport and may also require a study visa. Information regarding the procedure for obtaining passports and visas is available in the Office of Enrollment Services and Exchange Programs.

MEDICAL INSURANCE

The importance of having adequate insurance when visiting another country cannot be over emphasized. Before leaving the United States, students should be sure their medical and accident insurance policies are valid while traveling abroad. Holders of the International Student ID Card receive a basic plan of accident/sickness insurance to cover their travel outside the continental United States.

WORKING ABROAD

The practice of working one's way through college is not common abroad. Because of foreign labor laws, students should not plan to seek paid employment. Various work programs for students, trainees, and volunteers, usually during the summer months, may offer room and board rather than a salary.

WHERE AND WHEN TO BEGIN

Ideally, a student should begin researching study abroad opportunities a year or more in advance of departure. Adequate planning is critical to the successful study abroad experience. Information, resources and application forms are available in the Office of Enrollment Services and Exchange Programs.

Your academic advisor, knowledgeable faculty members, students returning from exchange experiences, and the coordinator of the particular program you are interested in are all sources of information for planning your trip. The final deadline for application is October 15 for spring semester programs and April 15 for fall semester exchanges.

Among the application requirements are: completed application form(s), current transcripts, references of a faculty member and your advisor, an essay explaining your interest in studying abroad, copy of your current passport, and the ISIC card application.

For additional information, please contact:

Lynne Eustis
Assistant Director
Enrollment Services and Exchange Programs
252 Main Street, Farmington, ME 04938

Phone: (207) 778-7122
E-mail: leustis@maine.edu