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Student Experiences Abroad: International Students

Even though you are studying abroad in the United States, there are numerous reasons to pursue an international experience outside of the U.S. In fact, about 15% of U-M international students pursue additional international experiences, including graduate international students. These experiences allow you to seek new opportunities, meet new people, broaden your perspective, and further build your global competence.

"Being a volunteer in the media operations crew, my journey in Switzerland gave me the opportunity to experience the Olympics from a different angle. As an international student, let’s be proactive in exploring the world!"


"Life for me is all about experiences and reactions to different circumstances, and studying abroad offered me such a great chance to better know who I am. It had good and bad, ups and downs, but going through that experience made a more valiant wolverine, both inside and out."


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Planning your Experience Abroad

Use this page to explore the considerations, opportunities, and challenges of traveling abroad as an international student.

As you consider and prepare for an international experience, use the following questions as a guide. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list and you may relate to multiple identities. You are encouraged to discuss these topics in person with an education abroad advisor in your school or college and an international student advisor. The International Center’s Education Abroad Team can also provide guidance and resources as you prepare for your experience.

Know your options

  • What U-M options are available for travel abroad?
  • If there are no U-M options that fit my interest, budget, or schedule, how will I investigate other education abroad options?
  • What type of experience (study, intern, volunteer) might fit best with my goals?
  • What length of time should I go abroad (summer, semester, academic year)?

Understand the process

  • What is involved in the application process for international experiences?
  • How do I ensure that I will get credit for my international experience? What if I want that credit to count towards my major or minor?
  • What scholarships are international students eligible for?
  • Is my timing practical?
  • When can I fit an international experience into my academic schedule?
  • What are the application deadlines for international experiences?
  • When should I start planning for my international experience?

Ask about your U.S. visa status

  • How can I make sure I am maintaining my U.S. visa status while pursuing an international experience?
  • After my international experience, what documents do I need to re-enter the U.S.?
  • How might an international experience affect my ability to apply for OPT, CPT, or Academic Training?

 

Examine travel logistics

  • What effect will my citizenship status have on my ability to travel?
  • Will I need to apply for a visa? How do I do so?
  • Consider the cultural attitudes of your host country — how does my host country perceive and treat individuals from my home country?
  • How might that be different than how I am perceived/treated in the U.S.?

Available resources

As you consider and prepare for an international experience, use the following questions as a guide. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list and you may relate to multiple identities. You are encouraged to discuss these topics in person with an education abroad advisor in your school or college and an international student advisor. The International Center’s Education Abroad Team can also provide guidance and resources as you prepare for your experience.

For answers to other questions, consult the following:

U-M international study, internship, research, or volunteer program options: meet with an advisor from your school or college’s education abroad office.

Programs not affiliated with U-M or how to obtain a visa for your desired country: meet with an education abroad advisor at the International Center at ic-abroad@umich.edu.

Immigration status concerns: meet with an international student advisor at the International Center (email icenter@umich.edu).

Earning credit for your international experience and/or how this experience will fit into your academic plan: meet with your academic advisor.

Explore the following resources regarding international students engaging in experiences abroad:

International Center Website
International Center Education Abroad Webpage
M-Compass

Staying on track for graduation

U-M offers many for-academic-credit global experiences that will keep you on track for graduation. You should meet with an education abroad advisor, your academic advisor, and an international student advisor before you commit to a program to ensure that studying outside of the U.S. will allow you to graduate on time. Many U-M programs allow you to earn in-resident credit as if you were taking classes on campus in Ann Arbor. Non-UM programs also allow you to earn credit, but you will need to work with your academic advisor to ensure the credit will transfer to your U-M transcript.

Scholarships Available for International Students

lthough some funding opportunities are reserved for U.S. citizens, there are many funding opportunities open to students of all citizenships. There are both financial-need and merit-based scholarships. You can find these opportunities by searching M-Compass , talking to your academic department, and talking with an education abroad advisor at theInternational Center.

Other Considerations

Reflecting on your identities: Although you are studying abroad in the U.S., many international students decide to study outside the U.S. while at U-M. Attitudes and perceptions around nationality vary widely around the world, and it’s key that you have an understanding of how you may be perceived and/or treated in your host country due to your identities (which could be much different than in the U.S.). Be sure to look through the other identities on this website — they might also apply to you!

Increased global competence: International experiences can play an important role in your job search after graduation. Employers are increasingly looking for candidates with the ability to communicate across cultures and work effectively with diverse teams—skills that can both be developed and strengthened abroad.

RESOURCES

International Students

Download the International Students Abroad flyer for additional questions and considerations for traveling abroad. Bring this resource with you when meeting with an academic advisor, education abroad advisor, or other U-M office.