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Study Abroad

Why Study Abroad?

  • Study abroad programs provide opportunities for learning critical to the education of American college students;
  • Allows studennts to lead responsibly, collaborate abroad, and compete effectively in the global arena;
  • Exposes students to foreign language skills, cross-cultural understanding, and an appreciation of our diverse and interconnected world
  • Makes students more employable by increasing their global awareness, according to the Council for Industry and Higher Education (CIHE).

Top five reasons to study abroad:

  1. Doing so, ensures the educational system has made students globally literate;
  2. Educating students internationally is an important way to share the values of the United States, to create goodwill for the United States around the world, to work toward a peaceful global society, and to increase international trade;
  3. 79% of people in the U.S. agree that students should have a study abroad experience during college, in contrast to the 1% of American students who study abroad each year;
  4. Study abroad programs help people from the U.S. be more informed about the world and develop the cultural awareness necessary to avoid offending individuals from other countries;
  5. 87% of students in the United States between the ages of 18 and 24 cannot locate Iraq on a world map, 83% cannot find Afghanistan, 58% cannot find Japan, and 11% cannot even find the United States.

Study Abroad Advising

Students can choose between Maryland-sponsored programs and other university-sponsored programs. There are many incentives for participating in the Study Abroad programs.
  • Over 100 study abroad programs and exchanges in countries all over the world for various lengths of time; and
  • Earn credit toward fulfilling many ARHU and university requirements for graduation;
  • Subscribe to ARHU study abroad listserv for registration information;

Want to participate?  Follow the necessary steps below:

  1. Go to the Study Abroad Office, in 1101 Holzapfel, regardless of whether it is a Maryland-sponsored program or another institution-sponsored program.
  2. After acceptance into the program, the student will need to complete a “Permission to Study Abroad” form.
  3. Pick courses of interest to take (have back-ups);
  4. Get approval from departmental advisor;
  5. Get “Study Abroad Approval” form signed and stamped;
  6. Secure foreign language departmental approval as necessary;
  7. See Dr. Nadler or Mr. Crane in 1120 Francis Scott Key Hall for outside of major course approvals; and
  8. Return approved forms to Study Abroad Office.
Note: All students must complete a “Permission to Study Abroad” form prior to their departure or their enrollment may be canceled. Furthermore, students who have registered for courses at UM and then decide to Study Abroad MUST cancel their UM registration at the Mitchell Building, located on the first floor. Simply dropping your courses via Testudo is insufficient and may lead to financial penalty.