Learning Abroad is an opportunity to explore a new culture, place, and way of life. But it’s also much more than that. If you want to get the most out of your experience, you must prioritize learning and finding a program that helps you achieve your academic and professional goals. 

Our office has 500+ programs and many of them focus on specific topics, such as Holistic Health in Thailand, Disaster Risk and Emergency Management in New Zealand, Medical Spanish in Costa Rica, Engineering in Australia, Fashion Design in Vietnam, Sustainable Tourism in Fiji, Social Justice in South Africa, etc. Not only do you earn academic credit on these programs, but you also will develop transferable skills that are necessary in your future career and can give you a leg up during the job hunt after college. 

When searching for an affordable program, know the location and be aware of things like the exchange rate and cost of living. A common misconception is that specific regions of the world are more/less expensive, but this is not always true. 

A key to finding an affordable program is to avoid common destinations. For example, learning abroad in Paris, Madrid, Buenos Aires, Sydney, or Rabat, may be more expensive than studying abroad in smaller cities in the same country. While bigger and well-known cities are appealing and exciting, living outside of them can be just as interesting, and can save you a lot of money. No matter where you are, you're still experiencing the country. In most cases, those bigger cities are a bus or train ride away. 

Did you know that the University of Utah has a campus in Incheon, South Korea? This campus currently offers general education courses, and has undergraduate programs in Civil & Environmental Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Communication, Film and Media Arts, Psychology, and Urban Ecology. You also have access to courses offered through partner institutions at the Incheon Global Campus, including Korean language.

Main campus students who study at the Utah Asia Campus pay resident tuition and live in very affordable on-campus housing. Additionally, if you receive a tuition reduction, this is the only program type that it can be applied to. 

Choosing an exchange program allows you to pay U of U resident tuition while learning abroad for a semester or academic year. You are billed for 15 credit hours, however, you can take more for no additional cost, if allowed by the exchange institution. Another aspect to consider is housing. Since many of our exchanges have multiple housing options, you can choose where you will live. In some countries, living costs can be less expensive than if you were to remain in SLC and live off-campus, making the overall experience more affordable than a semester at the U.

SHORT-TERM PROGRAMS

Short-term programs by definition are fall break, winter break, spring break, and 2-4 week summer and semester programs. You usually earn between 3-6 credits.

Short-term options are ideal for students whose schedules and obligations limit how long they can learn abroad. They may be more affordable than longer programs when considering the overall advantages. For example, short-term programs allow you to complete a course in as little as 7 days, leaving your schedule open for other academic, professional, or personal commitments. 

SUMMER PROGRAMS

When choosing a summer program, consider the following: 

• Compare the cost of a summer abroad to a semester in SLC.  Going on a semester program can be seen as simply replacing a semester at the U, while participating on a summer program may be an "extra" cost that you have not planned on financially. If you were planning to take summer courses at the U, think about what you'd pay to stay on campus versus abroad.
• Consider whether you rely on summer income. Calculate how much income you may lose and what you can do prior to going abroad to ensure that you are in a good place financially. Although you may work throughout the academic year, students often work more during the summer months. You may be able to both work and learn abroad in a given summer.
• Consider whether you will have any funds or aid to use for summer. While choosing a fall or spring break program enables you to use your financial aid and scholarships as you normally would, check with the University Office of Scholarships and Financial Aid to see whether you have aid left for a summer program. Students going abroad for summer often find that they have little or no funds/aid to contribute, so planning ahead is key. 

NOTE: 

U of U faculty-led programs receive a tuition discount of $45/credit hour for undergraduates and $60/credit hour for graduates, which all students, whether in-state or out-of-state, benefit from. The vast majority of faculty-led programs are short-term and summer programs.

Due to COVID-19, many of our affiliates created solutions for students to still engage in international experiences. These programs are cheaper in cost and do not include any travel or housing costs, which is usually a good portion of your budget. Additionally, if you are interested in taking courses concurrently at the U, this is a great option for an extra three credit course or internship experience. Viritual programs are offered during for semester and summer terms.  You can find a list here. Visit our affiliates' websites for more information and work with your academic advisor to see if this would be an option for your major. 

Learning Abroad scholarships can be applied to virtual programs.