University Studies Abroad Consortium

The University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) is an award winning international education provider that offers students even more opportunities to study abroad. USAC has been providing study abroad opportunities to American students for over 40 years. They have more than 50 programs, offering a variety of choices in locations, academics/internships, time of year, length of programs and even virtual opportunities. No matter what you are looking for out of your study abroad experience, USAC can help make your study abroad dreams come true.

UNI has partnered with USAC as a third party provider to offer our students even more opportunities to go abroad. Through this partnership, students will work with both the UNI study abroad center and USAC on all aspects of your study abroad program, including billing, transferring credits, health and safety, and more to ensure our students are prepared for their time abroad and have a positive experience. If you are interested in participating in a USAC program, please contact the UNI study abroad center about how to start your application.

Dates and Deadlines

Term: Summer and Fall 2025
App Deadline: Saturday, March 1, 2025

The application cycle for Spring 2025 is currently closed. Summer and Fall 2025 applications will open later this semester. Students can click the link below to schedule this meeting beginning in November.

Schedule First Steps Meeting

Interested in studying abroad in the summer of 2025 or later? Please fill out the waitlist form below and the study abroad center will notify you when applications for future terms open. If you are still deciding where or when you want to go abroad, you can also schedule an informational meeting with our office to learn more about the programs we offer and find one that works best for you!

Study Abroad Waitlist Schedule Info Meeting

Unsure where to begin? Visit our Application Process page to learn more!

USAC Study Abroad

Learn more about opportunities through USAC

Academics

Whether students decided to study abroad for a few weeks, or an entire academic year, they will work with the UNI study abroad office in making sure all the classes they take abroad will transfer back to count towards there degree. While abroad, students can take classes to count towards their major(s)/minor(s), UNIFI requirements, or as electives. USAC offers programs in a wide variety of subjects, so there is something for every student. Academic opportunities include but are not limited to:

Business
Education
Fine Arts and Design
Foreign Languages
Health Sciences
Humanities and Social Sciences
Communications and Journalism
Science and Mathmatics

Semester/Academic year students will need to maintain a full-time student status while abroad. While they will work with the UNI study abroad center in finding courses that will work for them, UNI Students will receive their final schedule for the semester upon arrival during orientation.

Locations

USAC has over 50 programs in almost 25 different countries. Many of these locations have multiple programs in different parts of the country. These programs can range from a few weeks all the way up to an academic year. View a world map with all of USAC's locations, or a comprehensive list of all their programs on their website.

North America: South America: Oceania:
Costa Rica Chile Australia
Cuba Uruguay New Zealand

Europe: Asia: Africa:
Czech Republic China South Africa
England India
France Israel
Germany Japan
Ireland South Korea
Italy
Netherlands
Portugal
Scotland
Spain
Sweden

*Certain program locations may not be available to UNI students due to health and safety protocols established and enforced by the US State Department

Length of Programs

Students have a wide variety of options of when they would like to study abroad and for how long when they study abroad through USAC.

Winter break: These programs take place at the beginning of January and last for a few weeks
Summer: Study or work abroad for anywhere from a few weeks up to a few months during the summer months of May, June, and July
Fall semester
Spring semester
Academic year: Students can study abroad for an entire academic year, starting in the fall and returning after spring semester

*Official dates and duration will vary depending on programs

Participant Info

Meet your Advisor:

Jamie is a full time study abroad advisor who will help you throughout the application process through USAC, including documentation, finances, scholarships, and more. From your first steps meeting until you take off for your new adventure, Jamie will help you every step of the way.

Entry and Exit Requirements

Review and follow the travel recommendations of the CDC
Monitor appropriate websites for updates and information about COVID or other emergencies before departing and while in the destination country. The U.S. Embassy provides updates for each country that can be found on their website.

Internship and Research Program

USAC also offers students the opportunity to apply to internships in their chosen field to gain valuable career experience while earning academic credit and expanding their professional network on a worldwide basis. Students have the option to work with an international company either on-site in another country, or through a virtual internship. Length of these internships can vary anywhere from a short-term summer job, all the way up to a semester. There is more information on internships and research abroad opportunities on USAC's website.

Program Costs

Estimated Program Cost will vary

Costs for each program vary greatly depending on the program length and location. USAC is a nonprofit, so they make it a priority to keep costs affordable to allow more students to gain an international experience.

Each program on USAC's website offers a detailed and interactive budget sheet that students can use to gain a better idea of estimated costs.

USAC also offers a wide variety of scholarships, grants, and discounts to students, as well as assistance to students who need help applying for financial aid. Visit their "Money Matters" page to learn more about the financial support USAC has to offer.

UNI study abroad center also has many scholarship resources available for students. Visit our "Finances and Scholarships" page for more information.

Cost of Studying On Campus at UNI*

*per semester, estimated, will vary per person

Tuition & Fees	$4,527
Room & Board	$4,580
Books	$400
Personal Expenses	$878
Transportation	$320
Total	$10,705

Source: https://admissions.uni.edu/cost-aid

‌Eligibility Requirements to Study Abroad

The Study Abroad Center reserves the right to determine participants' eligibility to study abroad. Students must have a completed study abroad application, including supportive recommendation form(s). Additionally, students must meet all of the following in order to be eligible to study abroad:

Have a cumulative 2.5 GPA or higher at the time of application and maintain this cumulative GPA prior to departure and throughout the study abroad process
If your cumulative GPA is lower than 2.5, submit the following to the Study Abroad Center (103 East Bartlett):
- Letters of reference from two academic contacts (e.g. academic advisor and former or current professor) supporting your pursuit of study abroad. If you are attending a faculty-led study abroad program, one of the letters must be from a course leader. However, if the program has two course leaders, only one of the letters can be from one of the course leaders.

Must be over the age of 18 years old
Must meet the course prerequisites (participation in the program is dependent upon meeting these)
Must be in good standing with the university
UNI's partner institutions may require additional eligibility requirements to be met, these vary from institution to institution. Please consult with the Study Abroad Center staff to discuss these additional requirements, if applicable.
Applicants traveling to a region of a country or a country with an overall Travel Advisory Level 3 (Reconsider Travel) or 4 (Do Not Travel) will not be eligible.