Where in the world do you want to go?

A Guide For Getting Started

Living and studying in another country is one of the best educational experiences you can have. The opportunity to learn about another culture, make international friends, and learn to survive on your own is guaranteed to change your life.

Why Study Abroad?

• Gain international experience
• Learn or perfect your foreign language skills
• Acquire intercultural communication skills
• Learn in a new and stimulating environment
• Become global!

Types of Exchange Programs

The University of New Mexico offers great international programs, including:

• Year-long exchange programs in more than 40 universities in 26 countries
• Special UNM classes and special programs in other countries
• Intensive, short-term foreign language courses in many countries
• Programs offered at other New Mexico colleges or through UNM affiliated programs
• Internship and volunteer opportunities to give you international work experience

If we don’t offer a program where you want to go, our advisors can help you find one or tailor-make your own international experience.

Financial Aid and Tuition

In most cases you can use your UNM financial aid to help pay for the programs. If you do an exchange program or UNM class overseas, you will pay your regular UNM tuition and all other tuition and fees are waived. For affiliated programs you will pay the sponsoring agency directly based on their rates.For all of our exchange programs and some intensive language programs you can transfer your credits back to count toward your UNM degree.

How do I get started?

1. Decide what kind of program you want
A semester or year-long exchange, a summer intensive language program, a UNM summer class overseas, an international internship or volunteer program, or a custom-made program just for you.

2. Where in the world do you want to go?
Check out the possibilities on this Web site. There are links to many of the exchange universities you can go to. Visit our growing list of international universities. If UNM does not have a program in the country you want, check out the New Mexico International Education Consortium or our affiliated programs.

3. Read up on the countries you are interested in. There are good country descriptions on many websites, including www.lonelyplanet.com and www.transitionsabroad.com.

4. Assess your foreign language skills.
Programs in some countries require that you have proficiency in the language but others, like Sweden and Denmark, offer courses in English. If you don’t have any language skills consider programs in England, Scotland, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, or South Africa. If you want to learn a foreign language, check out UNM’s intensive language programs.

5. Work out your finances.
With the UNM exchange programs you will just be paying your regular UNM tuition, and you can use all of your financial aid. For intensive language or affiliated programs, you will be paying the sponsoring agency based on their rates.  However, you can still use many kinds of UNM financial aid to help, and you may be able to apply for special scholarships through the sponsor. The cost of living in most countries is equivalent to, or lower, than in the United States. But don’t forget to budget for your air travel, miscellaneous living expenses, and weekend and vacation travel expenses. Print out and use our budget worksheet (pdf) to develop a preliminary budget. Schedule a meeting with a UNM financial aid advisor to discuss your plans, finaid@unm.edu. There is also a list of grants available for study abroad.

6. Make sure your international educational experience fits into your UNM degree plans.
Talk to your academic advisor about how you can use international course work to fulfill your general education or major requirements.

7. Make an appointment with a Study Abroad advisor to discuss your plans and options.
For study in Spain and Latin American, contact Robyn Côté at the Latin American and Iberian Institute, rcote@unm.edu. For other countries contact the Office of International Programs and Studies, studyabd@unm.edu.