Study Abroad Advising Information for Faculty

UMaine Alert

Posted: April 19, 2024 - 1:32 PM

At approximately 9:24 a.m. on Friday, April 19, a student was struck by a university vehicle on Long Road at the University of Maine campus in Orono.

Emergency services responded promptly to the scene and the student has been transported to a local hospital. The student’s family has been informed.

Counseling services and support are available for students, faculty or staff who may have been affected. The Counseling Center can be reached at 207-581-1392 or you may call the Dean of Students Office at 207-581-1406.

An investigation is underway and more details will be released when they become available. Our thoughts are with the student and their family.

Long Road has been cleared and is now accessible. Any witnesses to the incident are encouraged to contact Lieutenant Noel Santiago at noel.santiago@maine.edu.

General Information
Advising Philosophy
Study Abroad Process

General Information

General data

Term	Numbers
Summer 2017	30
Fall 2017	45
Spring 2018	57
Academic Year 2017-2018	4
Total number of students	136

60% female students , 39% male students and 1% not reported
88% of all students received UMaine financial aid
Top destinations: Spain (23 students), United Kingdom (22 students), Australia (15 students), Rep Ireland (7 students), Canada and Costa Rica (6 students), Italy (5 students).
Colleges: NSFA (34%), CLAS (22%), Honors College (26%), Maine Business School (15%), Education (6%), Engineering (6%), Univ of Maine Machias (1%), Graduate students (4%)

Study abroad students are expected to take a full semester course load to work towards completing major, minor, general education or language requirements while they are abroad.

Most students who study abroad for a semester/year do so in their junior year, but sophomores and seniors can also study abroad. For some majors (like Education and Nursing), sophomore year is a better fit than junior year. Students from any major can study abroad and graduate in four years as long as they plan ahead.

Hundreds of study programs are available in most countries. The study abroad adviser helps students select a suitable program.

Students who excel academically can apply for competitive research programs abroad.

Students can satisfy an internship or practicum requirement for a major or minor abroad.

Options are available for students with varying foreign language skills. Some students focus on studying a foreign language and others take all of their courses in English. Students who already have strong foreign language skills may be able to take courses in that language at a university in their host country.

For some programs the student pays tuition and fees at UMaine (direct exchange programs) , and for others the student pays a program fee to the program provider.

Study abroad programs may cost more than, less than, or about the same as UMaine. Federal financial aid can be applied to any study abroad program, including UMaine merit scholarships, for which UMaine accepts credit. Additional scholarships are also available.

Employers consistently list study abroad experience as an attractive attribute in a potential hire, because students who spend an extended period of time immersed in a foreign culture typically gain or improve the following knowledge and skills: understanding of own cultural values and biases; increased self-confidence, independence, maturity, self-awareness; cultural awareness/sensitivity; exposure to diverse people/situations; improved language/communication skills; adaptability/flexibility; ability to identify and achieve goals; open-mindedness; patience; problem-solving; listening/observation.

[back to top]

Advising Philosophy

We encourage UMaine students to challenge themselves when choosing a study abroad program. Some of the criteria we encourage students to look for in a study abroad program:

Duration

Choose a semester or year-long program

Immersion

Take courses with host country nationals
Live with a host-country family or host-country roommate
Participate in volunteering, internships or student activities with local peers
Take at least one area studies or culture course to learn more about the host country or region

Academics

Take at least one upper level course in your major or minor
Work on an independent study or research project

Location/Language

Choose a study abroad program in a less-traveled city, country or region
Study the language of your host culture (where applicable)
Take courses in a language other than English (where applicable)

[back to top]

Study Abroad Process

Encourage students to start their study abroad research from the very first semester at UMaine.
Many students need guidance in designing an alternative course sequence (if the major allows it) in order to study abroad for one or two semester.
Academic advisors and department chairs/coordinators assist the student in selecting courses abroad and the Study Abroad Advisor assists in transfer credit evaluation.
Once the student starts the study abroad pre-departure process, the student will complete an International Study Away Registration form. The student needs to include a wish list of courses abroad for pre-approval, and obtain the signatures of the (1) Study Abroad Advisor, (2) Academic Advisor, and (3) College Dean. The Study Abroad Advisor provides information on credit hour equivalence and course level.
All information related to pre- and post-program advising, visas, pre-departure preparation, in-country logistics, and transfer credit evaluation are provided by the Study Abroad Advisor.

[back to top]