Unlock Global Opportunities: Your Guide to University of Miami Study Abroad Programs

Studying abroad is an enriching experience that enhances your University of Miami journey. It's more affordable than you might think, opening doors to personal and academic growth. The University of Miami consistently ranks among the top universities in the nation for the number of students studying abroad. Each year, more than 2,000 students earn academic credit through travel programs, both domestically and abroad.

Why Study Abroad?

The benefits of studying abroad are endless. A University of Miami Study Abroad experience gives you an excellent means to enrich your education by learning about the many varied cultural values, political and legal systems, and economic and historical conditions that shape a country’s economy and financial transactions. When in your life are you ever going to get the chance to travel the world but also take courses that help you grow in your professional career? You can immerse yourself in new cultures, improve language skills, and gain a global perspective that sets you apart.

Planning Your Study Abroad Experience

Planning ahead is key to a successful study abroad experience. Students are advised to plan as early as freshman year so studying abroad can be incorporated into their academic plan. With the assistance of the Study Abroad Office and the guidance of academic advisors, students can select a study abroad program to fit almost any major. Learn how coursework abroad will count towards graduation at UM. Students can apply their courses abroad to their majors, minors, cognates, or elective credits with careful planning and academic department approval.

Who Can Participate?

Programs are generally open to sophomores, juniors, and seniors who meet the eligibility requirements for admission, such as a minimum cumulative GPA.

Types of Programs

UM offers a variety of study abroad programs to suit different interests and academic goals. These include:

UM Faculty-Led Programs: University of Miami professors lead groups of students overseas, usually teaching one or two courses over a period of one to six weeks. Programs with UM faculty are unique in their emphasis on experiential learning, pre-arranged group housing, excursions, and courses taught by UM professors and overseas academic experts.
UM Semester-on-Location Programs: Examples of these programs include UM semester-on-locations in Prague, Shanghai, Paris, Latin America, Costa Rica, Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Cape Town, the Galapagos, London, Tokyo, Kyoto, and Rome, as well as short term faculty-led programs during the summer, January intersession, and spring break in Europe, Asia, Africa, and South America.
UM Partner Programs: Through UM Partner Programs, University of Miami students can study for a semester or an academic year at one of our partner universities overseas. Students receive UM credit hours and grades while studying at any of UM's partner universities overseas. These programs can be undertaken for a semester, year, and/or during the summer. Among a multitude of other options, students can study Aboriginal studies at University of Sydney, be immersed in Spanish culture in Seville, explore Iceland's unspoiled nature while studying earth sciences at the University of Iceland, immerse themselves in Japanese culture and business practices at Sophia University in Tokyo, or become acquainted with the changing panorama of international relations at University of San Andres in Argentina.
Outside Programs: Planning on studying abroad with an outside program? This link will help you navigate this process. Students who study through a non-UM program, domestic or study abroad, and would like to have those credit hours applied toward their UM degree, must apply for Non-UM Program status.

Destination Examples

With over 60 unique opportunities overseas during the summer, fall, spring and intersession terms, students have options to study abroad on UM programs that align with their individual academic interests. UM has turnkey study abroad programs in a number of cities and countries, which facilitate the planning and experience. With destinations ranging from Cape Town to Rome to the Galapagos Islands to Manipal, India, the UPrograms make applying, registering, and managing your transcript a simple and straightforward process.

This summer, students from the University of Miami School of Communication embarked on transformative study abroad trips, delving into unique cultural experiences and gaining global insights into their field.

Start Abroad Programs

The Start Abroad programs provide students with a transformative opportunity to study in some of Europe’s oldest and most vibrant cities. Before starting your UM career in January, spring starters are invited to apply for one of these programs to earn credits that will transfer directly towards your degree at UM. During the semester abroad, students will benefit from the unique cultural and social opportunities they encounter.

Available Locations:

Dublin: Students will enroll as full-time non-degree seeking status at Dublin Business School (DBS). DBS is made up of two primary buildings, located at Aungier Street and South Great George’s Street.
Barcelona: SIS is a completely urban campus, located within one building in Barcelona on Carrer de Casp.
Rome: AUR is located on top of the Janiculum, Rome’s highest hill, offering a spectacular view of Rome.

Important Considerations for Start Abroad Programs:

Applicants must be 18 years old by the start of the program to be considered for the programs in Rome and Barcelona.
Throughout the summer: Attend a mandatory virtual pre-departure orientation and info session.
Upon returning to campus, Start Abroad courses successfully completed with a grade equivalent of “C” or higher will appear on students’ University of Miami academic records as transfer credit. If a student earns a “C-“ or lower, the transcript will show NC for no credit.
Students are responsible for their own laundry for all the programs.
Roommate requests are accepted but not guaranteed for all programs. Sharing a room is a new experience for many college students.
All students on a Start Abroad program will be registered in an international health insurance plan that meets the criteria for their respective country (and visa requirements, if applicable).

Visa Requirements (Start Abroad in Rome):

*For students considering the Start Abroad in Rome program, note that all non-EU passport holders are required to obtain an Italian Student Visa and will have to surrender their passport to the Italian consulate as part of the visa application process. The consulate will hold your passport for a period of time while processing your visa, and the return date depends on their processing times.

Finances and Scholarships

The cost of studying abroad varies depending on the type, length, and location of the program. Students are often surprised at how affordable studying abroad can be. Best of all, your UM financial aid, grants, and scholarships apply seamlessly. You can use Federal financial aid for international study. As studying abroad is seen as such an important aspect of a college career, many national and institutional scholarships are available. Interested students should begin to research scholarship opportunities early. The most prestigious study abroad scholarships, which grant up to $10,000 per semester, have applications with deadlines up to 18 months before the study abroad program begins. Several other scholarships, with deadlines similar to program application deadlines, are also available and grant up to $5,000. Please note that no scholarships or financial assistance are available for the Start Abroad program.

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Once admitted into a Start Abroad program, the Start Abroad team will provide additional information on how to pay tuition and program fees. All UM billing and payment questions can be answered by UM’s Cane Central team.

Practical Matters

Health and Safety

All students on a Start Abroad program will be registered in an international health insurance plan that meets the criteria for their respective country (and visa requirements, if applicable). UM provides health insurance, even while overseas. This will cover you both before you leave and after you return from your program. As a UM student you are required to register any international travel on University business.

Passport and Visa

For travel and study abroad, you need a passport from your country of citizenship.

Embracing the Experience

Be Open-Minded: "Going abroad can be scary, intimating, and exciting all at the same time. When I was abroad, I fully immersed myself into the culture and tried to be as open minded as possible. I had a "yes" mindset. I said yes to trying new foods, new experiences, and meeting new people. Newness is scary but being open minded will allow you to grow in so many ways. When I was Florence, I tried lampredotto (cow stomach) which is a classic Florentine Street food. Never would I have thought I would try unique foods like that."
Language Immersion: "The main reason I studied abroad was to improve my Russian language skills. In Kyrgyzstan, I had the opportunity to live with a Kyrgyz host family. They didn't know any English, so I had to speak Russian all the time. When you're abroad, even normal daily tasks, such as going to a grocery store, ordering food at a restaurant, or taking a taxi can be exciting ways to practice your target language."
Adaptability: "When I first arrived in Cusco, I was worried about getting used to the language and culture and adjusting to a completely new and unfamiliar country. Since then, I’ve adapted a lot; I’m much more comfortable with the city, my Spanish is improving, and I’ve made a lot of really great friends."
Discover Hidden Gems: "Whenever I'd tell people I was studying abroad in Luxembourg, I'd always get the same question: "Where is that? Germany?" And I'd always have to say that while Luxembourg is near Germany, it's also its own country. It has its own language and traditions, and an immense sense of national pride. I found myself taking buses and trains all around the country, hiking on one of Luxembourg's many rainy days in Esch-sur-Alzette, visiting a mining museum in Differdange, stumbling into catacombs beneath a church in Echternach, climbing a truly massive hill to a beautiful castle in Vianden, and wandering through the snow-filled streets of Diekirch."
Balance Academics and Exploration: "I had the opportunity to participate in an internship in Seville, Spain while I was studying abroad and it was such a positive experience for me. At first I was worried that it would interfere with my other goals while studying abroad, but I was easily able to balance my internship with my weekend trips."
Global Business Education: All business is global. A University of Miami Study Abroad experience gives you an excellent means to enrich your business education by learning about the many varied cultural values, political and legal systems, and economic and historical conditions that shape a country’s economy and financial transactions.
Curriculum Integration: "As a Chemical Engineering major, I needed to find a program that allowed me to take major classes while I was abroad. I was able to take my engineering courses from professors at a local university, which was really cool because I got to see engineering from a completely different perspective."

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