Program Types and Majors
Program Types
Learn about different kinds of study abroad opportunities to see which ones might be a good fit for you.
Faculty-led study abroad programs are experience-based overseas courses led by UM-Dearborn professors. These tend to be shorter in length, often ten days to five weeks. They are usually our most accessible options and are great choices for those new to traveling or those looking for a greater level of programmatic support. Several financial aid options are typically available to make these a highly affordable option. Participants tend to be mostly UM-Dearborn students, but they sometimes include students from other universities. These trips can open doors to exciting new places, career options, friends, and worldviews.
UM-Dearborn has several exchange agreements with international colleges and universities. These agreements allow students to pay tuition for all related courses to UM-Dearborn, which typically gives students access to their full financial aid packages (conditions apply - be sure to talk to your financial aid advisor). Most exchange programs are for either the Fall or Winter semester. However, some offer shorter summer options or even a full academic year abroad. Some exchange programs will only have one participant from UM-Dearborn while others might have a small group from UM-Dearborn. This is a great option for students looking for a more challenging, immersive experience looking for greater independence. These programs often involve a large amount of student preparation work that needs to start well before the departure date. They also tend to be highly transformative experiences, so the pain is worth the gain.
Sometimes we do not have an internal program for a specific subject or location and hence a UM-Dearborn department might choose to promote a study abroad program run by an external entity (“affiliate provider”) in the relevant field/location. These programs have been reviewed by the University and allow students options we are not able to provide internally at the current time. These are great options for students wanting an experience in an area where no faculty-led or exchange programs exist. They offer the possibility of traveling with a small group from UM-Dearborn and an easy transfer of credit upon completion. Federal financial aid is typically available for such programming.
International internships offer great work experience for academic credit in a multi-cultural and international environment. These are unpaid opportunities that offer a great chance for career advancement. These might include a faculty leader and travel with a student group, or they might be a more independent experience. You typically earn internal credit for such experiences, making a broad array of financial aid options typically available.
Students can pursue independent travel or studies which are not University of Michigan Related Travel, or UMRT (see the University's International Travel Policy for a definition of UMRT). This allows students to find offerings that UM-Dearborn is not able to provide. Federal financial aid is typically available for such programming. Students typically participate with students from other U.S. or international universities.