Which Study Abroad Program is Right for You?

Students can elect to study abroad on a UMW Faculty-Led Program, a UMW Partner Program, or a Third-Party Affiliated Program.

There are a host of options, but which one is right for you?  Before you begin your search, clarify your goals for studying abroad–Is the goal to learn a foreign language? Study in a specific country? Study under a particular individual? Which languages do you speak (or want to speak)? Do you want to stay in one country or travel to multiple countries? What kind of living conditions are desired–homestay, apartment, residence hall, or mud hut?  Do you plan to travel abroad for a week, a month, a semester, or even a whole year?  Would you prefer to travel with a group of UMW students, or blaze a new trail on your own?  By knowing what you want to achieve through the study abroad program, you will be better able to identify programs that will help achieve your goals. Once you have thought through your goals and expectations, you are ready to begin searching for a program.

UMW Faculty-Led Programs are led by our very own known and loved UMW professors during the breaks from the regular academic calendar.  Programs vary from one to six weeks in length and students can earn from one to nine credits for participation.

UMW Partner Programs have been established with overseas universities and study abroad programs that offer a high quality experience.  Students may choose from summer, semester, or year-long programs, including four “tuition neutral” UMW Exchange programs where students study overseas but pay UMW tuition rates.

Third-Party Affiliated Programs offer unique opportunities to study abroad in a wide variety of either fixed locations in a host of countries, or traveling formats – even on a ship!

Once you have selected the program that’s right for you, follow these Next Steps.