Examining the world around us, asking questions, and opening our minds to new experiences are all invaluable life skills. If you’ve heard that studying abroad is too expensive, that you won’t get your degree on time, or that your major doesn’t have study abroad options, we encourage you to take a second look. Studying abroad is a unique opportunity with so many advantages – it’s not to be missed!
Learn about other cultures – and your own.
Immersing yourself in a different landscape, cuisine, people, and daily life is an incredible learning experience. It can be easy to forget that there is a world outside of our own, but participating in another way of life also compels us to think about our own culture and perspectives in new ways. And it’s not limited to just one semester – what you experience while studying abroad will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Find your adventurous side.
A change of scenery can inspire you to try new things you may never have considered at home. Ride an elephant, go snow skiing, listen to unfamiliar music, and hike the highest peaks you’ve ever seen. Discover your new favorite pastime – or even what you want to do with your major and your life.
It’s affordable.
Studying abroad doesn’t have to be expensive. If you select a program run by UNC Asheville or the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), you can keep costs about the same as staying in the USA. This way, you can go just about anywhere in the world for little more than the cost of tuition, room, and board at your home school!
You can use your federal financial aid, and you can apply for study abroad scholarships. See our Financial Aid page for more information, or contact the Study Abroad Office with questions.
Develop your second language skills (or not).
You don’t have to be fluent in a foreign language to live and study in another country. In fact, living among native speakers is the best way to immerse yourself in another tongue.
On the other hand, there are many study abroad opportunities that have no foreign language component. UNC Asheville offers exciting summer programs in locations such as Italy, Greece, or Ghana in English as well as a semester or year program in locations like Norwich or Sussex England. You can also study in other English-speaking countries like Australia and Ireland. Or you can participate in study abroad programs where courses are taught in English. Such programs are offered in countries like Denmark, Finland, Sweden, and Hong Kong.
Increase your job opportunities.
Whatever your major, you can study abroad. It’s possible for students to study abroad in every discipline–not only in Humanities and Social Sciences, but also in Management, the Arts, and the Natural Sciences. Employers want to hire people with international experience, and graduate schools consider studying abroad a “plus” when reviewing applications.
In our increasingly interdependent world, a study abroad experience is an essential ingredient of a complete education and an advantage in the job market. It shows independence, a willingness to embrace new challenges, and the desire to grow personally and connect with diverse people.
Develop a Co-Curricular transcript while at UNCA to enhance your experience at UNCA and increase job opportunities.
Graduate on time.
Studying abroad can easily fit into your academic plans. You can study abroad at whatever time is most convenient for you. You can even go as early as the summer after your freshman year! If you plan your study abroad properly, you’ll receive full home credit for all courses you take, and these can be planned so that they count toward your major, minor, or elective requirements. Visit UNC Asheville’s Study Abroad Office EARLY to start the process.