How to Study Abroad at UM

Have you ever dreamed about studying abroad? Perhaps you’re itching to step away from friends and family and beyond the boundaries of the United States. Japan! Italy! Ireland! Places you’ve seen on postcards, movies, TV shows!

I’m here to tell you that not only does The University of Montana offer study abroad programs, but they also encourage it. Step one of getting ready to go abroad is easy: deciding you’re interested. While learning about and applying to study abroad programs can sometimes be stressful and nerve-wracking, the resources provided by UM’s Global Engagement Office can help settle those nerves.

Let’s Compare Your Options

The University of Montana offers four main pathways you can choose when you decide you want to study abroad:

• Partner: Partner Universities have agreements with UM to send and receive students.
• ISEP: A worldwide organization UM works with to offer study abroad opportunities to students.
• Faculty-Led: Travel, study, live and explore cultures with other UM students while earning UM credits, usually led by a UM faculty member who specializes in the program’s subject.
• Franke Global Leadership Initiative: This four-year certificate program includes a third-year “Beyond the Classroom experience that can include a study abroad scholarship.

Let’s compare these options to see which may be the right path for you!

If you decide to go the Partner Network route, you can choose from 52 universities in 25 countries. You need to fill out two applications when applying through the Partner Network: one for UM education abroad and one for the host university.

Some things that might sway you towards this option are that you have flexible housing arrangements, affordable international insurance and you only compete with other University of Montana students to snag a spot. Furthermore, most UM scholarships and student loans can be applied.

With Partner, you can select one of two different program types. If you pick Partner Exchange, you will pay tuition to UM and room and board to the host institution. With Partner Direct, you will pay tuition and room and board entirely to the host institution.

Don’t Forget: To study abroad with Partner Network, you must have at least a sophomore standing of 30 UM credits (you can apply as a freshman if you are a sophomore when you go abroad), and you must have a minimum GPA of 2.8 (or 3.0 for some universities).

Next is the International Student Exchange Program. With ISEP, you can choose from 150 universities in 50 countries. There are three applications to complete: one for UM education abroad, ISEP and the host institution. The things that stand out with ISEP are that you are guaranteed housing through the exchange option, have flexible housing arrangements through direct option and you can go to a location not offered through Partner Network.

With ISEP Exchange, you pay tuition and room and board to UM. With ISEP Direct, you pay tuition, room and board to the host institution. Like Partner Network, most UM scholarships and student loans can apply, and you must have a sophomore standing of 30 UM credits and a minimum GPA of 2.8 (or 3.0 for some universities).

A third option for studying abroad is through Faculty-Directed Programs. This option has specific locations pre-chosen for this short stint abroad, and you learn language, culture and something specific to the department. This program only requires the UM education abroad application, as well as any faculty leader requirements. You will attend a single-day mandatory pre-departure orientation workshop before you go.

This might be the way to go if you need a short-term option and can’t be away for a semester or year. Plus, you get to travel with other students from UM during this spring, summer or winter session, AND there are already pre-organized outings and agendas so you can stress less while sightseeing and learning.

A little off the beaten path is GLI (Global Leadership Initiative). The GLI is a four-year, 12-credit certificate that can be tacked on to any major and includes leadership training, interdisciplinary group work, seminar classes and more. Students participating in the Franke Global Leadership Initiative also have an opportunity to study abroad and earn scholarships while doing it.

If you are a globally-minded person who wants to learn marketable skills and have real-world experiences and multiple pathways for out-of-classroom experiences, joining GLI might be an excellent option. If this has piqued your interest, check out their blog here.

Let’s talk funding. It is important to note that for both Partner and ISEP options, work-study, tuition waivers, LAS Awards, Cal Murphy Scholarships and WUE waivers cannot be applied.

Despite this, there are other ways to fund your study abroad experience. Check out these external scholarships and grants and these UM scholarships and grants.

Now that we have the four options, your best first course of action is to schedule an appointment with UM Education Abroad. Speaking with experts can help you learn more about the choices, understand what path is best for you and what your next steps will be. They are here to help you through this exciting time, whether it be the beginning, middle or end of your application process.

If you want to learn about other students’ experiences abroad and how you might weigh your options, you could speak with Study Abroad Ambassadors who understand how you might be feeling, what you can look forward to, and what their processes entailed. You may even find someone who studied where you plan to go!

Consider perusing through the Study Abroad website to help you better understand what to look forward to in this process, and what things you will eventually need and need to know before you depart from Missoula. You can also follow their Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to learn more about upcoming events, see students thrive wherever they roam and find resources for whatever questions you may have in this process.

The decision to study abroad is life changing! The University of Montana encourages students to spread Grizzly joy far and wide. With these little tidbits, resources and comparisons, hopefully you feel proud and excited to take that first step on your grand adventure.

Anna Weishaar is the Marketing Coordinator for the MCEE department. She graduated from UM in 2018 with a degree in English/ Creative Writing. In Fall 2017, she studied abroad in Seoul, South Korea, at Korea University, and since then, she has felt passionate about experiencing life abroad.