Frequently Asked Questions

One of my students has approached me with an Advising and Credit Evaluation Agreement Form and has asked for my signature.  What is this form and what am I expected to do?

When students sign up for a study abroad program they are given a packet of forms, including the mandatory Advising and Credit Evaluation Agreement Form.  This form allows the students to work with their academic advisors, the Foreign Languages Department (if they will be studying a language), and the Registrar's Office to ensure that the credit taken abroad will transfer and be applied appropriately toward their major or minor.

I would like to promote study abroad to my students, but I do not feel qualified to discuss all the program options.  Can Study Abroad Office staff come to my class to give a presentation?

Absolutely!  Study Abroad Office staff will happily come to your class or classes to discuss study abroad program options with your students.  Presentations can be tailored to last from 10 minutes to the full class period, they can be low-tech or full PowerPoint presentations, and they can cover general study abroad options or can be specific to certain subject areas or regions of the world.  Just tell the Study Abroad staff what format you would like, making sure to give the date, time, and location of your class, as well as the number of students in your class (so we know how many brochures to bring).  Contact Study Abroad Office staff at (208) 885-4075 or by e-mail at abroad@uidaho.edu. 

I would like to teach abroad.  How can I go about doing this?

The University of Idaho has a partnership with the University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC), and together they offer opportunities for faculty to teach abroad.  Visiting professors can choose from sites in Chile, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, France, Germany, Ghana, Italy, and Spain, and can teach for a summer or semester.

What if I want to lead my own program abroad instead of teaching on a USAC program?  How do faculty get started setting this up?

Faculty who wish to lead a program abroad must start early, and should carefully follow the instructions outlined in the Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Manual.  The manual includes information on program planning, developing a budget, health & safety, emergency response, and much more.  

Are there opportunities for staff to go abroad?  What about faculty members who wish to go abroad to learn instead of teach?

Via the same partnership as mentioned above, staff and faculty have the opportunity to apply for a University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) Faculty/Staff International Development Award (FIDA).  Sites available include Chile, China, Costa Rica, Czech Republic, England, France (June only), Germany, Ghana, Italy, and Spain for a one-month summer session.

What are the differences between "affiliated institution" programs and "program provider" programs, so that I can recommend the appropriate type of program to my students?

Most affiliated institution programs are reciprocal exchange programs, i.e., a UI study abroad participant studies at a university in The Netherlands and a student from that university comes to the University of Idaho. Participants are regularly enrolled students at that university, e.g., they take microbiology courses in Spanish along with other Chilean students. Since affiliated institution program costs tend to be roughly based on the cost of UI tuition and fees, most of them are cheaper than program provider programs.

Students who choose affiliated institution programs should be independent and have the confidence to navigate through a different educational/living environment with a minimum amount of supervision and help. While some program coordinators at host institutions may be able to devote a lot of time to student questions or problems, others may have numerous responsibilities that limit their contact. Educational systems at host institutions may be different from U.S. models of education. For example, in many European universities, quizzes and tests are not given throughout the semester but, instead, one final exam determines the entire grade for the course. Getting class help can be problematic at some universities because some professors may go home directly after class due to a lack of office space on campus.

In contrast, students on program provider programs usually study foreign language and culture courses with other U.S. and international students at the host institution. Language instruction is delivered by host institution faculty and one or several of the culture courses may be taught by visiting U.S. faculty. Usually, there is a resident director who is hired by the program to help students with questions and problems. Because program provider programs tend to have more on-site support, they are often ideal for students who have had little previous international travel experience. Excursions are often included in the cost of program provider programs. For example, participants in the USAC-Pau, France program have the option to spend a week in Paris.  In addition, there are shorter trips taken throughout the semester to famous local and regional cultural sites. Program provider programs tend to cost slightly more than affiliated institution programs because of the increased support, excursions, and cost of visiting faculty.

I would like to recommend studying abroad to my students, but first I would like to know if they can use financial aid and/or scholarships to cover the program cost?

Students can typically use grants, loans, and scholarships for UI-approved study abroad programs. If the study abroad program costs more than it normally costs to study at UI, it may be possible to get additional financial aid. Students should visit a financial aid advisor to determine whether or not they qualify for additional aid.  Non-UI students may be able to use their home university financial aid for a UI study abroad program, via a Consortium Agreement.  These students should visit with their home university financial aid office to discuss the specifics.

Other?

If you have any other questions please do not hesitate to contact the UI Study Abroad Office at (208) 885-4075 or by e-mail at abroad@uidaho.edu.