Academic Advisors

As you talk with study abroad advisees, these are some important points to remember:

1. Minimum GPA. The minimum required cumulative GPA for all study abroad programs is 2.5. Students with GPA’s below 2.5 are assessed individually, advisors are consulted, and students are given to the end of the term to show improvement.
2. Group program options. If your advisees have never been abroad before and are a bit apprehensive, you can suggest one of our summer or short-term instructor-led programs. Also, there are semester programs that regularly have multiple UNI participants which can put many students more at ease.
3. Internships. If your advisees want to participate in an internship abroad, this is possible. Most international internships require longer commitment and are normally offered during semester academic programs, though some summer internships do exist. We currently have internship opportunities in Costa Rica, South Korea, and Italy.
4. Teach Abroad. There are many opportunities for students (both education and non-education majors) to teach English abroad through UNI. Many of these are set-up as internships, thus, the student receives academic credit, and, at times, free room and board and a small monthly stipend. Often, students do not need to have had teaching experience to take part in one of these opportunities.
5. Service Learning. If your advisees want to participate in a volunteer work or service learning/community projects, then suggest our programs in South Africa, or Costa Rica.
6. Options for Athletes. Athletes will normally have fewer conflicts with short-term study abroad programs, as they are offered during the summer terms. Presently, there are more than 20 summer study abroad possibilities available – both at our partner institutions and other programs with instructor-led groups.
7. Grades. Course taken abroad at exchange partner schools ARE GRADED. All grades/credits earned abroad on UNI programs are factored into the UNI GPA and are recorded as institutional credit (not transfer credit) on the student’s transcript.

Program Types

Exchange Semester Programs: Students pay direct UNI tuition to participate in programs based on agreements with universities abroad. These are the most affordable semester and academic year programs. UNI works with about 11 exchange schools. Summer and short term programs are often available at these universities.

Partner Semester Programs: Semester, academic year, and short-term programs are available to students from UNI partner schools.  Students do NOT pay direct UNI tuition. The cost of these programs is set and varies by program and term -- cost is normally higher than UNI tuition rates, but this is not always the case.

Summer & Short-Term Programs: These programs take place during a shorter span of time (2-4 weeks, typically) and can either be done through our exchange and partner institutions (non-instructor-led) or faculty-led programs. The latter usually focuses on a specific course offering, engaging 15-20 UNI students, and vary in length from 2 to 4 weeks. Programs are offered most commonly during the summer session but could also take place during winter break.

Iowa Regents Programs: Semester, academic year and short term programs are available to students from Iowa public universities.  Students do NOT pay direct UNI tuition. The cost of these programs is set and varies by program and term -- cost is normally higher than UNI tuition rates, though students have the opportunity to experience the foreign institution with other students from around Iowa.

Affiliate Programs: Semester, academic year, and short term programs in various destinations around the world. These programs are organized by third party providers. Students do NOT pay direct UNI tuition for these programs. The cost of these programs is set and varies by program and term -- cost is normally substantially higher than normal UNI tuition rates.