| Application Process | Before Arrival
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| Prior to Departure |
All materials must be received by UMaine at the Office of International Programs (OIP) no later than April 1 for the fall semester or academic year and no later than November 1 for the spring semester.
Study Abroad Advisors from partner institutions must nominate students for the exchange program with UMaine. Materials may be scanned and emailed, but originals must be sent to UMaine as well.
1. Students complete the Incoming Exchange Student Application (PDF).
Graduate exchange applicants must also submit the Visiting Graduate Student Admission form. The $35 application fee is waived for graduate exchange applicants.
2. Official transcripts are preferred, although unofficial records certified by the exchange coordinator as being an accurate representation of the student’s performance will be considered. Transcripts must be in English.
3. A letter of recommendation in English from an instructor or other home school official acquainted with the student’s readiness for exchange is required.
4. Submit a personal statement about why the applicant is interested in spending a semester or a year at UMaine and mention academic/career goals.
5. Include a photocopy of the primary page of the student’s passport to ensure that U.S. immigration documents are prepared consistent with the passport.
6. Because we include immigration documents in our pre-arrival packet, we must receive official documentation from students showing that they have adequate funds for the period of their stay as required by immigration rules.
- For exact amounts of finances to be certified, read Financial Information for Incoming Exchange Students for 2012-2013.
- Complete and submit a Certificate of Finances form.
- Documentation that may be used to verify finances includes the following:
- Original bank statements showing sufficient funds to cover the student while s/he is at UMaine;
- Original letters guaranteeing grants or scholarships; and/or
- An original, signed, notarized letter from the student’s parent or sponsor attesting that s/he is assuming financial responsibility for the student. Such letters must be accompanied by original bank statements documenting the parent or sponsor’s ability to support the student’s stay at UMaine.
Application Deadlines: Advisors from partner institutions must nominate students to UMaine. Applications must be received at UMaine by April 1 for the fall semester or academic year and no later than November 1 for the spring semester.
Academic information:
Course Registration: Students must be enrolled full-time for at least 12 credit hours (max. 15 credits) at the undergraduate level and 6 credit hours (max. 9 credits) at the graduate level. If a student chooses to register for more credit hours, it is the student’s responsibility to pay for the additional tuition and fees charges.
Restricted programs: Exchange students cannot register for Nursing courses.
Housing: Exchange students are encouraged to apply early for housing. Guaranteed housing for fall start is May 31. Spring housing is assigned on space available basis.
Airport pick-up: Available upon request. Read the Arrival Information.
Orientation: Mandatory for all incoming exchange students.
Health insurance: Mandatory for all students. It can be waived if sufficient coverage is available from home country health insurance program. Information and waiver requests are provided with pre-arrival materials.
Other important information: Visit the Future Students section for more resources and information.
The exchange program covers the cost of:
Each semester, incoming exchange students are responsible for:
Australia: Edith Cowan University and Griffith University
Austria: University of Salzburg
Bulgaria: American University in Bulgaria
Canada: University of New Brunswick
Chile: University of Chile
France: Université d’Angers and Université de Bretagne Occidentale (UBO)
Germany: Aalen University and International University of Applied Sciences Bad Honnef-Bonn
Japan: Hirosaki University
Spain: Universidad de Santiago de Compostela
Turkey: Bilkent University
United Kingdom: University of Birmingham, University of East Anglia, University of Hull, Lancaster University, University of Sunderland and Bangor University, Wales
As you prepare to leave UMaine at the end of your exchange program, here is a quick checklist:
1. Meet with the Study Abroad Advisor to share some highlights and provide feedback about your overall experience.
2. Pay attention to the day and time when all residence halls close. Talk to your Resident Assistant (RA) or Community Coordinator (CC) if you have any questions. You may need to find alternative accommodation for a few days if you are not departing Orono immediately after finals.
3. Pay any outstanding balance to UMaine before you depart. UMaine will not issue a final transcript of grades until any unpaid balance is paid. This may slow down your transfer credit evaluation at your home institution.
4. At the end of each semester, Residential Life bills all students for common area damages. Usually it is about $15-20 for the semester. Leave $20 on your student account to cover the extra damage charges. You will not receive a final bill at home since all notices from the Bursar’s office are sent to your FirstClass email account. Continue checking MaineStreet for updates.
5. Request an official transcript from the Office of Student Records. Request at least one copy for yourself and a copy for your home university. Select “after grades are posted from current semester.” You can also check your grades on MaineStreet at any time once they are posted at the end of the semester.
6. Your FirstClass email account at UMaine will deactivate and delete all emails within 90 days after the end of this semester. Provide friends and faculty with a forwarding address.
7. Stop by the Office of International Programs before you depart to say goodbye. You are always welcome to stop by OIP if you travel to Maine in the future.
Office of International Programs
5782 Winslow Hall, Room 100
The University of Maine
Orono, ME 04469-5782
Email: studyabroad@umit.maine.edu
Phone: (207) 581-1509
Fax: (207) 581-2920