There are a variety of misconceptions about study abroad that may be preventing you from even exploring the possibility. We hope to dispel a few of the most common ones here.

1. Studying abroad is too expensive.

• UNH allows federal, state, and institutional aid to transfer for all UNH-Managed, UNH-Exchange and UNH-Approved programs. You will be able to factor in airfare as an educational cost and consider the cost of living in your host country for your estimated expenses. 
• There are a variety of additional UNH and other national scholarships available for study abroad.
• There are study abroad destinations where the cost of living and exchange rate make living abroad cheaper than living in Durham.

2. I need to speak a second language to go abroad.

• There are many program options in English-speaking countries including Australia, the United Kingdom, and New Zealand.
• You can also take classes in English in many non-English speaking countries such as France, Spain, The Netherlands, Argentina, China and Thailand.
• What better way is there to study a second language than living in a place where it’s spoken?

3. Study Abroad will delay my graduation and could lower my GPA.

• You can fulfill major, minor and Discovery requirements with the appropriate advisors’ approval.
• You will earn UNH credits or transfer credits depending on the type of study abroad program you choose.
• Grades will not be factored into your GPA unless you are taking a UNH course.

4. I can’t go abroad with my major.

• Studying abroad is not just for liberal arts students anymore. There are a variety of programs - and scholarships - for students majoring in the sciences, technology, engineering, mathematics and health.
• If you don’t want to take classes in your major abroad, consider the many internship, volunteer and research opportunities available.

5. I don’t have time to study abroad.

• You can go abroad during January term, spring break or summer, so you won’t get out of sequence with your academic plan, student activities, athletics or campus leadership roles.

6. International experience doesn’t help your career.

• In multiple studies, employers confirm that study abroad contributes to acquiring critical professional skills such as cross-cultural communication and understanding, exposure to different perspectives and ways of thinking, adaptability, acting independently, problem-solving and functioning in new and different environments.
• A recent longitudinal study showed that compared with their peers, study-abroad alumni have higher full-time employment rates, lower unemployment rates and higher starting salaries than the national average.

7. Students like me don’t study abroad.

• Study abroad is for everyone! Students connected with OMSA, TRIO, Connect, Military and Veterans Services and DSS have all studied abroad.
• UNH has taken the national IIE Generation Study Abroad pledge to substantially increase the number of students we send abroad and to make sure that students from a broad range of backgrounds have this opportunity. This includes access to a variety of scholarships.

8. It is safer to stay in the U.S. 

• No one can guarantee 100-percent safety whether in Durham, Boston, Paris or Shanghai. However, UNH has established precautions and policies to make sure our students are as safe as possible abroad.
• There is an International Travel Risk Review Policy that establishes how student travel destinations are reviewed for safety and security, where students can travel and when to suspend programs.
• Students register their trip in an International Travel Registry, which facilitates communication and support in the event of an emergency.
• Students are covered by the comprehensive UNH International Travel Assistance and Insurance program.

If we haven’t addressed your concerns, make an appointment to meet with an advisor or Global Ambassador (study abroad alumni peer mentor).