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Nontraditional Students

Student Experiences Abroad: Nontraditional Students

Today’s college students bring a wide range of ages, life experiences, and responsibilities to U-M, including work, family, caregiving, military service, commuting, returning to school, transferring, or pursuing a degree later in life. If you identify as a nontraditional student, or if your path through college looks different from a traditional residential experience, education abroad can still be part of your U-M journey. With planning and support, you can explore international opportunities that fit your goals, timeline, and responsibilities.

"I took a substantial break between completing my undergraduate studies and starting my master's program. While I desired to go abroad, funding was a concern. Gratefully, I secured support through various university funding opportunities, which not only alleviated the financial strain but also granted me the chance to pursue my dream of improving my Spanish and working abroad in public health."

Emy Guttman
School of Public Health

"My biggest concern was not fitting in. I am 55 years old and most of the undergraduate population of the University of Michigan is somewhere near their twenties. My choice to study abroad turned out to be one of the most rewarding experiences of my life. It gave me the opportunity to study the fascination that Rome, Italy brings to so many people along with the culture of a world outside of my own."


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Planning Your Experience Abroad

Use this page to explore considerations, opportunities, and challenges related to traveling abroad as a nontraditional 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.

 

RESOURCE

Nontraditional Students Abroad

Download the Nontraditional 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 UM office.

Explore options and start planning early

  • What types of international experiences might fit my goals, such as short-term programs, semester programs, internships, research, fieldwork, or summer options?
  • What responsibilities or timelines should I keep in mind as I begin exploring programs?
  • When should I begin conversations with an education abroad advisor and academic advisor to understand my options?
  • What early deadlines or steps should I know about, such as applications, passports, visas, funding, approvals, or time away from work or caregiving?

Plan academics, career goals, and funding

  • How will this experience fit into my degree plan, major or minor requirements, graduation timeline, or professional goals?
  • What skills or experiences do I want to gain abroad, such as language learning, field experience, research, intercultural communication, or professional connections?
  • What are the full costs of the program, and what financial aid, scholarships, grants, department funding, or employer support may be available?
  • Who should I talk to about academic fit, financial planning, funding options, and timing of payments or aid disbursement?

Choose a program that fits your life

  • What program length and structure would be realistic for my schedule, responsibilities, and timeline?
  • What program features matter most for my situation, such as location, housing, daily schedule, technology access, accessibility, or flexibility?
  • How will this program fit with my work, family, caregiving, financial, community, or other responsibilities?
  • What questions should I ask an education abroad advisor to understand whether this program is realistic and supportive for my needs?

Plan home, work, family, or dependent logistics

  • What responsibilities need a plan while I am abroad, such as work, caregiving, family, finances, pets, housing, or community commitments?
  • If I want or need to bring a partner, child, or family member, does the program allow it, and what additional arrangements would be needed (e.g. costs, documents, housing, insurance, transportation, or childcare)?
  • If children, dependents, work, pets, housing, or other responsibilities stay home, what care coverage, emergency contacts, communication plans, or backup support should I arrange before I leave?
  • What questions or concerns might family members, dependents, employers, or supporters have about my travel, and what information would help them understand my plan?
  • How will time zones, Wi-Fi or data access, communication apps, and expectations with family, work, or supporters affect my plan while abroad?
  • If I work while enrolled, what conversations or arrangements might I need with my employer, supervisor, or workplace before committing to a program?

Build your health, safety, and wellbeing plan

  • What support will be available through my program, host institution, U-M, or local resources if I need help abroad?
  • What is my plan for accessing health care, mental health support, medications, accommodations, and using U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance while abroad?
  • What helps me manage stress when balancing travel, academics, family, work, finances, or being away from my usual support network?
  • If something changes at home or abroad, who will I contact first, and what information should I have saved (emergency contacts, insurance information, program contacts, local emergency numbers, and family or caregiver contacts)?

Build community and support

  • What kinds of peers or communities would help me feel connected abroad, such as adult learners, student parents, caregivers, graduate students, transfer students, returning students, working students, or students with similar responsibilities?
  • How might I connect with others while honoring my schedule, energy, interests, and responsibilities?
  • What support do I want in place before I go, and who can help me prepare for responsibilities, accommodations, finances, wellbeing, or other needs?
  • How can I participate fully in the experience while setting boundaries that protect my time, energy, and responsibilities?

Explore traveling as a nontraditional student through the following resources:

U-M’s Center for the Education of Women+ (CEW+)
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
Adult Student Study Abroad Guide

Highlight: Your life experience is an asset abroad 

Nontraditional students often bring strengths that can deepen an international experience, such as independence, problem-solving, professional or life experience, adaptability, and a clear sense of purpose. You may approach study abroad differently than students following a more traditional residential college path, and that can be a strength.

As you explore programs, think about what you already know about balancing responsibilities, asking questions, managing time, and navigating new environments. Those skills can help you prepare thoughtfully, connect across differences, and make the experience meaningful for your academic, career, and personal goals.

Highlight: Make your responsibilities part of the plan

Work, family, caregiving, finances, health needs, and other responsibilities do not automatically rule out study abroad, but they should be part of the conversation from the beginning. Being clear about your needs early can help advisors point you toward programs with the right length, structure, location, housing, accessibility, and support.

Before committing, identify what needs to be arranged at home, at work, and abroad, such as communication plans, backup contacts, care coverage, time away from work, insurance, and emergency support. You do not have to figure this out alone. Education abroad advisors, academic advisors, the Center for the Education of Women+ (CEW+), the Office of Financial Aid, Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), and other U-M resources may be able to help you plan.