UMass Boston

• Read through the requirements and steps to get started.
• Register your UMass Boston Abroad account & take the program match quiz to get programs that meet your preferences.
• Meet with an advisor in our office to go over the process, your questions & concerns, & program options.
• Meet with your academic advisor to go over which courses you need to stay on track.
• Talk with your loved ones about studying abroad & start a plan to reach your study away goals.

Check the full eligibility requirements here.

Your program may have different requirements than UMass Boston, check your program requirements before applying.

You can use your GI Bill benefits to study abroad.

On reciprocal exchange programs, students continue to pay regular UMass Boston tuition and are not charged tuition abroad. Housing costs are paid to the university abroad. Typically therefore, your GI Bill benefits can always be used on exchange programs (semester or year-long). On direct study programs, tuition is not charged through UMass Boston. There has been approval for GI Bill-eligible programs through the VA, check to see if the university you are looking to study at is eligible here: GI Bill® Comparison Tool - Schools and employers (Search By Name) | Veterans Affairs

Almost anywhere in the world! 

• Consider 3 Cs: curriculum, cost, climate, and when choosing among programs.
• Learn about the program options here. Be sure you learn what the differences are among:
  • Exchange
  • Provider-led
  • Direct Enroll
  • UMass System Programs
  • National Student Exchange Program
• These options have different financial and application requirements.

Study Abroad: As long as you fulfill the residence requirement at UMass Boston, as long as you like! For Undergraduates, you can transfer up to 90 credits, and study abroad credits are transfer credits. Program lengths are 

• One semester, multiple semesters
• Academic year
• Summer, winter

National Student Exchange: You can study away for a semester or up to 1-year on an NSE program. You can apply for a second semester or year on an NSE once you return from your first NSE term.

It depends how many courses you take abroad.

Undergraduates:

• Typical credits per term (undergraduates): Semester -  12 credits, summer - 6 credits, winter - 3 credits.
• You need to get C- or above to receive the credit from a study abroad program. National Student Exchange courses count towards UMass Boston GPA.
• The grades from abroad do not affect student’s GPA here. National Student Exchange courses do count towards UMass Boston residency and will affect your GPA at UMass Boston.
• You can see how the courses abroad will transfer using our Request for Prior Approval Form. For National Student Exchange, contact Michael.Mahan@umb.edu for course approvals.
• Courses will be transferred after the official transcript from abroad/NSE campus is received.

Graduate Students: 

• Graduate students have a limit of 6-credits that can be transferred from a direct study abroad program. Students attending approved international exchange programs, in which you continue paying UMass Boston tuition, may have this requirement waived to up to a full semester (9-credits) with the permission of their Graduate Program Director (GPD). 
• Graduate Students must receive a B or higher in any course taken off-campus to transfer to a graduate program at UMass Boston. No courses can be taken P/F. 

Yes, you can take courses in your major and/or minor; electives are the easiest to transfer. You can also take your general education requirements (except first-year and second-year seminars).

• Browse the course offerings of various programs abroad by area of study.
• Consult your academic advisor.
• Get approval for transfer of credits before your departure.

Yes, since many of the programs abroad offer courses taught in English!

Browse the course offerings of various programs abroad by creating an account here.

You can also focus on studying a language in an intensive language program, or take it as one language class in your workload. Many programs offer introductory language courses for study abroad/exchange students.

Study Abroad Programs: There is a $250 mandatory study abroad fee due by the time you depart on your program abroad.

• This fee, along with UMass Boston required forms and documents will assure the following: maintenance of full-time UMass student status while on approved program abroad; WISER remains active; Financial aid can be applied to overseas program; pre-approval of courses toward the UMass degree program; transcript processing; credits will be interpreted and applied to the UMass transcript upon return. In addition, students are provided with ongoing advising throughout the process. Pre-departure orientations are offered the semester before studying abroad. All UMass Boston students are also automatically covered by UMass International Travel & Emergency Insurance while participating on an approved, overseas program. This fee is NON-REFUNDABLE. 

National Student Exchange Program: There is a non-refundable application fee of $200, due at the time of application.

• This is an application fee and it is not refundable. Your NSE coordinator cannot submit a request for placement until the fee has been paid. No refund will be given whether or not you are placed, accept or decline your placement, or withdraw or become ineligible. If you reapply for NSE participation, you may incur an additional application fee.

Studying abroad program pricing varies by program destination living expenses, program type, & length. Exchange programs you continue paying your regular UMB tuition. Some programs offer lower tuition than what you pay at UMB, some offer higher tuition rates. Many cities in the world have a lower cost of living than Boston, so check the cost of living in your selected country and city.

You should explore the budget sections of each program, consult a financial aid advisor, & compare the program costs before applying. You can use financial aid to study abroad!

• Choose among more affordable programs, e.g., Reciprocal Exchange Programs, you pay UMass Boston tuition
• Compare programs costs - living costs vary by location, other costs include the UMass Boston mandatory study abroad fee ($250), personal expenses, passport/visa costs, accommodation & meals, and ground transportation.
• Start early and seek multiple funding resources.  

Yes! You will need to check first how your financial aid will transfer to the different program types and terms. Some financial aid is only available in semesters & for reciprocal exchanges, others are available in every term. 

• Visit the financial aid page to learn more about how you can use financial aid to study abroad.
• Apply for scholarships to study abroad.

It depends. Some countries require a visa for the duration of your stay, while others do not. 

More than likely, you will need to obtain a student visa for your study abroad program. You cannot apply for your visa until you receive your acceptance letter from your program abroad. Please check here to see if you need to obtain a visa: https://travel.state.gov/content/studentsabroad/en/visa.html

You will likely purchase your own flight to your destination. Check your program for any group flight options. Once you have been accepted to your program, check your program start date (including orientation) & your move-in date. This will determine when you should book your flight to arrive. Some programs offer airport pickup; check with your program.

Airline Tickets: Information on Booking your Flight 

Start researching flights so you can budget your money. Find out from your program about arrival day, airport pick up/instructions, and arrival windows to make sure you book your flight to arrive on time. Search multiple different websites to compare flights, such as Google Flights, Momondo, Expedia, Kayak, Skyscanner. Booking early can save you money! Be sure to book a flight that allows flexibility, plans might change and you don't want to end up with a non-refundable flight that you cannot take.

ScholarTrip Deposit Program

We have partnered with ScholarTrip which offers a Deposit-Only program for UMass Boston students to book their flights with just a deposit. You then can pay the remaining flight cost prior to your departure while being able to secure your flight earlier at (hopefully) cheaper rates than booking soon before your departure. To request a flight through ScholarTrip with their deposit program, please use this UMass Boston-specific form: University of Massachusetts Boston - SDP 

Arrange Your Arrival from Airport to Destination

Some universities arrange to have you picked up at the airport. Be sure to arrange, or at least research this prior to your departure from the U.S. Many universities and programs also provide you with clear instructions on your arrival and what to do to get from the airport to your next destination. It's also a good idea to travel with contact information for people you may be meeting upon arrival.