Perceived Barriers

Every year, students decide not to study abroad due to any number of perceived barriers. In actuality, the majority of these students could have surmounted these barriers and found a way to study abroad during their undergraduate careers. Academic advisors are in a unique position to help students realize the feasibility of their study abroad plans.

The following are the most common barriers mentioned by students:

1) It costs more to study abroad for a semester than it does to study for a semester in College Park.

In actuality, many study abroad programs cost the same (or less) than a semester at College Park. Students can use all of their federal financial aid and university scholarships towards the cost of their study abroad program. Students studying abroad though UM programs can also use state aid, tuition remission and the TERP payment plan to offset their costs. There are also a number of scholarships available for study abroad. Please see the Finances page for more information.

2) UM students are only allowed to transfer elective credits from abroad.

Every year, students manage to earn major, CORE and upper-level elective credit abroad. Students are advised to plan ahead and to work with their academic departments in order to find programs that fit their four-year plans.

3) Students need to know the language of the host country in order to study overseas.

Many programs are taught in English, regardless of the language of the host country. For example, UM sponsors English-language programs in Germany, Denmark, The Netherlands, Sweden, Korea, Singapore, Hong Kong and Taiwan.

4) Studying abroad delays graduation.

Students are advised to work with their academic advisors early in their college career in order to plan ahead and find a good time to fit study abroad into their four year plan. With enough advanced planning, students can usually find programs that will fit their academic schedule. Many also choose to study on short-term programs in the summer and winter terms, so that they can pursue four semesters in College Park.

For an explanation of how the Thirty-Credit Rule applies to Study Abroad, please click here.