Education Abroad

Programs range widely in price and fees depend on program selection, length of stay, and which city or country your student chooses. Program costs, scholarships and financial aid will be discussed when your student meets with an Education Abroad staff member.

U of I students may qualify for financial aid regardless of the chosen program. The good news is that if your student qualifies for financial aid for attending U of I, then financial aid will be re-evaluated for the study abroad experience and in many cases increase to meet a higher cost study abroad program. For example, federal financial aid will take into account that your student may spend more money on items such as airfare and that will be factored into the overall financial aid award. It is best to check with Student Financial Aid Services if specific U of I or state scholarships may or may not be transferable for study abroad.

There are many study abroad scholarships available for eligible students. U of I automatically considers all eligible study abroad students for the International Experience Grant (IEG). The IEG awards $154,000 per year to U of I undergraduate study abroad students in $1,000 increments. Your student may browse additional scholarship opportunities on the Inside U of I Financing Education Abroad page. The Student Accounts and Cashier's Office may set up payment plan options for study abroad programs. This can help make the payment process easier for parents. There is a small fee to set up a payment plan and this only applies to fees that are directly billed to University of Idaho. You may contact acctrec@uidaho.edu for additional details about this option. If your student has fees that are due to a different organization (this is very common) you will need to contact that organization directly to arrange payments.

General safety

Parents and family members are understandably concerned about their students' safety while abroad. It helps to realize that the U.S. has inherent dangers in the exact same way that traveling abroad does. Our number one priority is doing everything in our power to help your student have a safe and successful experience abroad. We will not send any students to areas of the world that we consider inherently unsafe.

While every effort is made to keep your child safe, it is also important to understand that study abroad programs and university offices (such as the U of I Education Abroad) cannot guarantee the safety of your student. We can’t monitor the decisions that your student makes while abroad. Often, U.S. norms of due process, rights and equality are not norms in the host country. U of I Education Abroad remains in contact with program administrators, resident directors and any other staff who are in touch with students abroad and closely observes the U.S. Department of State safety updates. Your student is ultimately subject to the laws of the country where they choose to study and your student is responsible for their own safety.

The law

Participants need to know and obey the laws of the host country because they are subject to the laws of that country regardless of their rights as Americans. American civil rights and legal procedures are not protected once Americans leave the United States. Prison conditions may be sub-standard, and pre-trial bail may be different or non-existent in the host country. Other protections that Americans often take for granted, like the prohibition on being prosecuted for the same crime twice, are often non-existent in other judicial systems.

U.S. Embassy

The Embassy and/or Consulate(s) in the host country can provide only limited kinds of assistance to Americans, but they are an excellent resource in the case of an emergency involving American citizens while traveling.

Health

Students are given information about health issues specific to their respective host countries and are encouraged to review travel information from the U.S. Department of State and Centers for Disease Control. Most study abroad locations have good medical access, and program partners assist students when they need medical attention. All U of Idaho students are required to have health insurance for the duration of their time abroad. Health and insurance are discussed during advising and pre-departure meetings.

Whether your student is struggling with academics, physical or mental health, or is experiencing homesickness or culture shock, there are resources to help.

Prior to departure it's a good idea for your student to take stock of their physical and mental health, and meet with health care providers to determine the best course of action for maintaining treatment plans while abroad. Even chronic conditions that are well managed at home may affect a person differently abroad. If your student is currently in therapy, there may be options to continue care abroad, or if new care needs to be established, the program provider or host institution can help identify providers and setup appointments. In mental health emergencies, Vandals can always call the Counseling & Mental Health Center at 208-885-6716.

Culture shock is physical and/or emotional discomfort experienced when living in a different country or culture, and it manifests in different ways for different people: overeating or drinking, loss of appetite, changes in sleep patterns, feeling irritable or antsy, and feeling homesick or depressed. If your student is experiencing any of these symptoms, encourage them to speak with their on-site support system (program director, international office on host campus, etc.) and remind them of the resources they have at their disposal. Students may also feel reverse culture shock when they return home. Reassure your student that while they experience ups and downs, they will get through this period of discomfort, and to seek additional help if necessary.

If your student is struggling academically, encourage them to speak to their program director or international office on their host campus as soon as possible. Education systems around the world vary widely, as well as customs and expectations around professor-student interactions and relationships. In some places, office hours are not the norm, but that doesn't mean help isn't available. Oftentimes there are tutors or other campus resources available. Encourage your student to reach out at the first sign of struggle and do not wait until the situation is desperate. 

As part of the U of I application process, your student will work with Education Abroad staff, their academic advisor and department, their college dean, and the Registrar's Office to fill out a Course Planning Form. This document indicates what the student takes abroad and how those classes will count towards their U of I degree. Once the transcript from their host institution is received, the Registrar's Office will use the Course Planning Form to apply classes taken abroad to your student's specific degree requirements.