There are several types of study abroad programs available to UNC Asheville students. Students participating in UNC Asheville’s Study Abroad programs may use all types of financial aid for which the student qualifies, including Federal, State, and UNC Asheville grants, scholarships, and/or loans.
UNC Asheville Faculty-led programs
UNC Asheville faculty deliver specific UNC Asheville courses partially or mostly abroad. Faculty-led programs provide a very structured set of group activities along with the class curriculum. They are a good fit for students who prefer a more structured program itinerary, want to go abroad with other UNC Asheville students and want a shorter experience that fits during semester breaks. Financial Aid can be used to cover the cost of these programs, as long as a students still have additional aid eligibility that they have not applied to fall and spring semesters, and as long as they are enrolled full time in the term in which the program runs.
For information about recent faculty-led offerings, please click HERE.
UNC Asheville Bilateral (Tuition) Exchange programs
Exchange programs allow students who are ready for a culturally immersive experience to live and study like local students at a university abroad. For instate tuition students, these programs are often very affordable because students pay the same tuition & fees that they normally would for a semester of coursework on campus (enjoying all applicable institutional aid) The additional costs for housing and food in the host country economy are often comparable to similar expenses on campus at UNC Asheville. Since Financial Aid applies (assuming courses taken are needed to graduate) and scholarships are available to subsidize costs of airfare and other associated expenses, these exchanges can be quite economical.
For information about our exchange partners, please click HERE.
ISEP (Tuition Food and Housing) Exchange Programs
ISEP exchange programs offer students seeking a culturally immersive experience the opportunity to live and study alongside local students at universities abroad. For in-state tuition students, these programs are remarkably affordable. Students pay tuition, housing, and food costs to UNC Asheville and then receive the equivalent services, academic courses, and lodging at their host university abroad. Since Financial Aid applies (assuming courses taken are needed to graduate) this is a semester abroad that costs little more than a semester on campus and scholarships are available to subsidize costs of airfare and other associated expenses. The ISEP application requires some additional work because you must list several placement options abroad at different universities, and often you do not get your first-choice assignment. In order to offer several informed choices, you need to do a lot of course matching work to make sure that your several choices are all realistic ones.
For information about ISEP programs, please click HERE.
UNC Asheville Partner programs
Affiliate or third-party organizations facilitate study abroad and internship opportunities for UNC Asheville students, often acting as a liaison between the student and the universities at which UNC Asheville students take courses and/or offering courses at their own study centers. These organizations assist students throughout the pre-departure process and offer on-site services and support as well. In most cases, affiliate providers arrange housing abroad for students, provide airport pick-up services and offer an extensive on-site orientation to allow students to get acclimated to their new host environment. Some affiliate providers build cultural activities and excursions into the program. Affiliate provider programs are good for students who are looking for additional support prior to departure, upon arrival and during their stay. ISEP-Direct programs are structured in the same manner as other Partner Programs. These programs vary in price depending on inclusions and may cost more than a semester at UNC Asheville. But financial aid applies to the costs of these programs (assuming courses taken are needed to graduate) and sometimes, depending on the location, and whether you pay in-state or out-of-state tuition, they can be equal to or less than a semester at UNC Asheville.
To search our extensive list of partner programs, please click HERE.