Frequently Asked Questions
Schools in many countries offer courses taught in
English, or a mix of English and the language of the
host country. Studying overseas is a great way to
increase your knowledge and fluency in a language you've
already been studying -- especially if you live with a
host family. An overseas experience adds weight to your
resume, too! Scholarships are available for study abroad
programs and in many cases federal financial aid may
also be used. PLEASE NOTE: In accordance with the UM
System Guidelines, students may not participate in study
abroad programs in countries with current travel
warnings issued by the State Department. Trying to
decide where to go? Look under Study Abroad
Programs--semester programs are arranged by country;
summer programs are arranged by country, academic
program & language. Your first step? You're doing it
right now! Research your options using this website!
Then come to a Study Abroad Information Session
and we'll answer all of your questions! Information sessions are held every
Friday at 2pm at IAP (Student Success Center, Rm #120) while classes
are in session.
Who can study abroad?
Is study abroad for every student?
What are the special requirements/suggestions for
students with chronic medical or psychological problems?
Why should I study abroad?
Where can I study?
What can I study?
How do I select a study abroad program that suits me?
When can I study abroad?
How long is a study abroad program?
Do study abroad programs generally run August-December and
January-May like our semesters, or can they overlap with
existing semesters here?
Are the summer study abroad programs just like
fall/spring programs only shorter and with fewer
classes? Are there advantages/disadvantages to summer
and semester?
What is the “pink form” and why do I need it?
What information do I need to put on the “pink
form”?
How is credit awarded?
Will I have to delay graduation if I study abroad?
What does it cost?
Can I apply my Financial Aid and Scholarships to Study
Abroad?
Can I study abroad if I don't speak a foreign
language?
Can students participate in a study abroad program in a
foreign speaking country, but have the courses taught in
English?
I've studied a foreign language, but studying abroad
entirely in a foreign language sounds scary. What kind
of academic achievement is expected of me?
Where will I live if I study abroad?
Okay, I’m convinced, where do I start?
Who can study abroad?
You can! UMKC undergraduate students in good standing who have completed at
least one full time semester at UMKC with those grades on their transcript are
eligible to study abroad, although individual programs will have their own
particular eligibility requirements. Students must have a minimum cumulative
UMKC GPA of 2.75. Some programs require sophomore or junior standing and many
have additional minimum GPA requirements, usually from 2.75 - 3.0. Please
consult specific program information for further information about eligibility
requirements. UMKC strongly encourages its students to study abroad: direct
experience of another culture is the best way to communicate across barriers of
customs, language, geography, and politics. An encounter with different values,
educational methods, and with a foreign culture can broaden a student's
understanding of the world.
Is study abroad for every student?
While some might argue that every student should study abroad, we realize
that is not really the case. Some find it impossible due to their schedules
(athletes or students with multiple majors) and others who are on disciplinary
and/or academic probation are not allowed to study abroad. Also, students who
have fragile physical or mental situations need to consider the feasibility of
study abroad for themselves in a given program circumstance or time.
What are the special requirements/suggestions
for students with chronic medical or psychological
problems?
Students should consult with their physicians, psychologists, psychiatrists
and counselors extensively regarding study abroad plans, especially for those
considering long-term programs. They should also self disclose to the program
administrators about their circumstances. This will allow the program
administrators to appropriately assist the students. They may wish to pay
special attention to availability for treatment of their medical condition in
the destination and also, insurance options for medical evacuation from the
country back home depending on the nature of their condition. Students should
also continue their prescribed medications while abroad, which may mean bringing
a supply sufficient for the duration of their sojourn.
Why should I study abroad?
Everyone will give different answers to this question. UMKC students who have
studied abroad enthusiastically agree about its advantages. They find class work
in a foreign country stimulating and their encounters outside the classroom
educational and exciting. They come back with a broader, deeper understanding
both of another country and of their own cultural background. Entering UMKC
students should start planning early to enjoy this unique opportunity and
students further along in their academic career should come talk to IAP as soon
as possible to see if we can help you fit an international experience into your
education before graduation.
Where can I study?
UMKC offers programs in approximately 40 countries throughout the world.
Students can study in Africa, the Americas, Asia, Australia, or Europe. In
accordance with the UM System Guidelines, students may not participate in study
abroad programs in countries with current
U.S. State Department Travel Warnings.
What can I study?
Some programs focus on a particular field of study while others offer a
general curriculum. Most students are able to fulfill graduation requirements
and maintain progress toward their degree while studying abroad.
Discipline-specific programs include those for law, classics, dentistry,
nursing, medicine and foreign languages. Courses are taught in many different
languages and many semester and academic year programs allow qualified students
with demonstrated language proficiency to choose from regular university course
offerings at the overseas institution. Instructional offerings in English are
also plentiful and incorporate a wide variety of disciplines. Students who
cannot meet their academic objectives through an existing UMKC study abroad
program may, with IAP and academic approval, develop their own programs (with
IAP support and approval).
How do I select a study abroad program that suits me
Read the select a program guide to ease your process of choosing a study abroad program
When can I study abroad?
You can participate in many programs as soon as the summer after your
freshman year. Programs are available for both undergraduates and graduates.
Generally, students should explore the opportunities for study abroad during
their first two years and plan their UMKC course work to permit them to study
abroad in their 4th, 5th, 6th, or 7th semester (second semester sophomores,
juniors, and first semester seniors). In certain cases, students will need to
complete prerequisites in a foreign language. Students interested in studying
abroad for a semester or academic year need to make plans for completing their
major requirements by identifying programs which provide instruction in the
major field, by doubling up on major courses during the semester before
departure or by taking major courses in the summer on campus. It is possible to
complete a pre-medical or engineering program and incorporate a semester abroad;
it simply takes planning from the start. It is possible to start a new language
upon arriving at UMKC and then to study abroad in that language.
How long is a study abroad program?
It depends. IAP encourages students to consider studying abroad for a
semester or academic year. Summer programs are also available. The length of
time you spend abroad will depend on your particular needs and goals, your
financial resources, as well as the limits placed on you by your academic
program at UMKC. You may be hesitant to apply for a year-long program because
you feel that this is a long time to be away. However, if your goal is to master
a language or become completely immersed in another culture, you may find that
even a year seems like a short time. Returning study abroad students often
report back about how fast their time abroad went by and how much they regretted
having to return home after one semester, just as they were "getting the hang of
things" in their host country.
Do study abroad programs generally run August-December and
January-May like our semesters, or can they overlap with
existing semesters here?
Program beginning and ending dates vary considerably, and can certainly
overlap and cross terms at UMKC. Many European universities continue the fall
semester into late January, limiting your ability to return to UMKC for your
Spring Semester. Programs in the southern hemisphere (e.g. Australia, New
Zealand, South Africa, South America) start in early July and run through
November/December and then from February until June. Program dates are available
on the web.
Are the summer study abroad programs just
like fall/spring programs only shorter and with fewer
classes? Are there advantages/disadvantages to summer
and semester?
The GPA requirement is more flexible for summer programs and admission
requirements can be less stringent. More summer term classes are taught in
English versus a foreign language. Also, the majority of our summer programs are
led by UMKC faculty who teach at least one of the courses abroad, whereas most
of our semester programs are administered and taught by host nationals. A
disadvantage to a summer program is that the students do not have as much time
to fully immerse themselves in the host culture and are studying primarily with
other Americans.
What is the “pink form” and why do I need it?
The official name for the “pink form” is the UMKC Study Abroad Approval Form
for the Administration of Credit and Financial Aid. We prefer to call it the
“pink form” because a) who has time for an official name that long? and b) the
form is actually pink and is very recognizable because of its color and size.
This form allows your Financial Aid to be processed for a study abroad
experience at the levels required by the cost of your international program,
which may be very different than what you’d normally need here at UMKC. Your
program must be an approved program for which you are eligible and which you
have been approved to attend. If/when the transcript from your study abroad
experience is mailed to our office at UMKC, we will use this form to facilitate
the transfer of credit onto your academic record. For all of these reasons, this
form is important and must be obtained by visiting our office at 5325 Rockhill
Road.
What information do I need to put on the “pink
form”?
This form requires that you obtain signatures and do some research. You will
need to estimate costs such as international airfare, tuition/books/fees,
personal necessities (like soap and shampoo), housing, meals, and study abroad
health insurance (the UMKC HTH policy). You will also need to provide the start
and end dates of your program and the name of the organization that will provide
your transcript (which may or may not be the same entity as your host
institution). Lastly, you will need to get the signature of an academic advisor
who will determine how the study abroad credits will transfer back to UMKC, and
for this you will need to: a) make an appointment with your academic advisor and
b) print off the course descriptions of the courses you hope to take, plus a few
extra for back up. After you complete ALL of that, you will bring the form to
our office at 5325 Rockhill, where we will sign it and give it back to you. You
will then take it to the Financial Aid office and wait to hear back from them
How is credit awarded?
Through the International Academic Programs Office, students remain enrolled
at UMKC and receive UMKC credit. You may earn credit toward your major, general
education credit, or elective credit. Students work with an academic advisor in
conjunction with a study abroad advisor to ensure continued progress toward a
degree. Undergraduates can transfer up to 15 credits hour per semester from
study abroad, although we recommend you take a maximum of 12 hours. Students
should consult the Director of Undergraduate Studies in their major department
to find out if, and how many, transfer credits may be applied towards their
major as applicable.
Will I have to delay graduation if I study abroad?
Not necessarily. With careful planning, you can remain on track to graduate
in four years and still study abroad for up to a year. We advise students to
start planning early and to work closely with their college and academic
advisers to design the best course of study and to ensure that they remain on
track toward graduation. Some students find that it is best for them to remain
at UMKC for an extra semester or year after studying abroad because of the new
focus they gained as a result of their time overseas. Of course, your own
circumstances and needs will determine the best course of action for you.
What does it cost?
Individual program costs vary, but studying abroad does
not have to be prohibitively expensive. UMKC study
abroad programs strive to keep costs down while
maintaining high-quality programs that are available to
as many students as possible. Many programs are based on
exchange agreements with universities abroad. For
instance, UMKC has exchange agreements with universities
in Austria, England, Germany and Spain and the Mid
America Universities International (MAUI) consortium to
provide study abroad opportunities of great value at
tuition, room and board costs close to those of staying
on the Kansas City campus. What this means is that UMKC
students can study at an international university for
essentially the same cost as remaining here in Kansas
City. Tuition and fees are paid at UMKC, while housing
is usually paid for in the host country. Additional
expenses would include international travel, passports
and visas, and incidentals, such as travel within the
host country or region. Some programs, in countries
where the cost of living is significantly less than in
the U.S., such as China or Mexico, can turn out to be
much cheaper than a comparable period of time at UMKC.
Other programs, in high-cost cities, such as London or
Tokyo, can be substantially more expensive than studying
at UMKC. Please refer to information about specific
programs for detailed information on costs.
Can I apply my Financial Aid and Scholarships to Study
Abroad?
Yes!! Most federal, state and some campus-based aid can be applied to the
costs of studying on most UMKC or UMKC Partner study abroad program.
International Academic Programs also offers a limited number of study abroad
scholarships each year to qualified applicants and a number of departments offer
scholarships for study abroad. Awards typically range from $500 - $1,000. In
addition, there are a growing number of third-party scholarships available
expressly for study abroad. Inquire at International Academic Programs for more
information. A broad range of national scholarships is available to students as
well. Scholarships that UMKC students have been awarded recently include the
Freeman-ASIA, the Rotary Fellowship and the Gilman International Scholarship.
If you receive a scholarship that can only be used for UMKC tuition, look for
schools on the
programs page that charge UMKC tuition.
Sort the list by clicking on the word "sort" in the 4th column entitled
"Tuition/Program"
Can I study abroad if I don't speak a foreign
language?
Yes–you can study in a country where English is the local language, of
course. Alternatively, even in countries where another language is spoken, study
abroad programs taught mainly in English usually are available. Many programs,
including some in countries where English is not spoken as a native language, do
not require any foreign language background because the foreign institution
recognizes the need for its students to know English if they are to be
competitive and offers many of its courses in English. Many of these programs in
non-English speaking countries also emphasize language study, especially in
languages such as Romanian that are not readily available on US university
campuses.
Can students participate in a study abroad program in a
foreign speaking country, but have the courses taught in
English?
Yes. But if they participate in such a program during the semester, they are
usually required to take one course in the host country language.
I've studied a foreign language, but studying
abroad entirely in a foreign language sounds scary. What
kind of academic achievement is expected of me?
Many study abroad programs offer special foreign language courses for program
participants which are designed to be appropriate for the student's level of
competency in that language (this will be stated in the eligibility
requirements). Students who take regular classes in a foreign language alongside
host-country students should expect a challenging academic environment and
should be prepared to put forth extra effort in overcoming the language barrier.
But it is important to note that most professors understand the situation of
international students and will usually issue grades and evaluate effort with a
student's language difficulties in mind.
Where will I live if I study abroad?
This will vary by program. The most common types of accommodation arranged
for study abroad students are: residence hall-type housing, homestays, or
private apartments or rooms.Residence hall housing abroad is usually quite
different from here at UMKC. Most students are housed in single rooms with
shared bathroom, kitchen and "living room." These are often self-catering
arrangements, in which students are responsible for buying and preparing their
own meals. There is a great deal more freedom and responsibility for the
students than is usual in American university residence halls. Homestays may be
the best way to immerse yourself in the host country. The experience of living
with a family can provide profound insights into the host culture in a way that
other arrangements cannot. However, homestays may be more restrictive in that
you will be expected to conform to the rules and norms of the family, which will
certainly be different from your own family. Private rooms or apartments
generally offer the most freedom, but they are generally the most expensive and
difficult housing arrangements to make. Students must make all arrangements
themselves for leases, payment of rent, utilities, etc., and must often pay a
sizable deposit before being allowed to move in.
Okay, I’m convinced, where do I start?
To begin a search for a study abroad program, students are encouraged to
attend a STUDY ABROAD INFORMATION SESSION in the IAP office, Room #120 in the Student Success Center (5000 Holmes). Info sessions are held Tuesdays and Fridays at 2pm (while classes are in
session) and will walk you through the first steps towards studying abroad.
Walk-in advising hours, held on Wednesdays at 9:30-11:00am, are available to all
students who have attended an info session. Early planning generally affords more
options. Application deadlines are generally Feb 15 for the following fall,
academic year, or summer, and October 1 for the following spring. Early
application is encouraged, as programs often fill early. We look forward to
hearing from you soon!
***In accordance with the UM System Guidelines, students
may not participate in study abroad programs in
countries with current
U.S. State Department Travel Warnings.
CHOOSE PROGRAM TYPE:
If you have questions about these or any other study
abroad programs before choosing one, please contact us
by calling 816.235.5759 or email:
international@umkc.edu