100 Ramsey Library, CPO 1560, One University Heights, Asheville, NC 28804
Why Study Abroad?
So, you’re thinking about studying abroad? You’re already closer than you think. This page will walk you through the real questions students ask before they go: what it actually costs, whether it fits your major, and how to know if you’ll still graduate on time. You’ll hear from students who’ve already done it, and find a clear path for your very first step. Let’s get started.
Common Concerns, Answered
Before we go any further, let's clear up the three things that stop most students before they even start.
Not necessarily. Many UNC Asheville and ISEP programs keep your total cost close to what you’d already pay for a semester at home, and most financial aid still applies.
Not if you plan ahead. Courses taken abroad can count toward your major, minor, or electives, and you can go as early as the summer after your first year.
Yes. Students study abroad in every discipline, from the Natural Sciences to Management to the Arts. Wherever you’re headed academically, there’s a way to get there.
The Benefits
Learn About Other Cultures and Your Own
Immersing yourself in a different landscape, cuisine, people, and daily life is an incredible learning experience. It can be easy to forget that there is a world outside of our own, but participating in another way of life also compels us to think about our own culture and perspectives in new ways. And it’s not limited to just one semester – what you experience while studying abroad will stay with you for the rest of your life.
Find Your Adventurous Side
A change of scenery can inspire you to try new things you may never have considered at home. Ride an elephant, go snow skiing, listen to unfamiliar music, and hike the highest peaks you’ve ever seen. Discover your new favorite pastime – or even what you want to do with your major and your life.
Affordability
Studying abroad doesn’t have to be expensive. If you select a program run by UNC Asheville or the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), you can keep costs about the same as staying in the USA. This way, you can go just about anywhere in the world for little more than the cost of tuition, room, and board at your home school.
Develop Your Second Language Skills
You don’t have to be fluent in a foreign language to live and study in another country. In fact, living among native speakers is the best way to immerse yourself in another tongue.
Increase Your Job Opportunities
Whatever your major, you can study abroad. Students can study abroad in every discipline–not only in Humanities and Social Sciences, but also in Management, the Arts, and the Natural Sciences. Employers want to hire people with international experience, and graduate schools consider studying abroad a “plus” when reviewing applications.
Graduate on Time
Studying abroad can easily fit into your academic plans. You can study abroad at whatever time is most convenient for you. You can even go as early as the summer after your freshman year! If you plan your study abroad properly, you’ll receive full home credit for all courses you take, and these can be planned so that they count toward your major, minor, or elective requirements. Visit UNC Asheville’s Study Abroad Office early to start the process.
Unique International Experiences
Regardless of their major, UNC Asheville students who study abroad see worlds outside their own, challenge their perspectives, and gain international experience that stands out to employers.
UNC Asheville Study Abroad Students Get a Boost from Prestigious Gilman Program
See how UNC Asheville students overcame financial barriers and jump-started their experiences abroad with the Gilman Scholarship Program.
Read the Full Story
A Passport to the Skills Employers Want
UNC Asheville Study Abroad Opens the Door to New Perspectives and Career Readiness
Read the Full Story
Summer Adventures
From the rolling hills of Ireland, the dense rainforests of Ecuador, or the cobblestone streets of Italy, see the worlds our students and faculty visit and their experiences learning while abroad.
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Ireland and Scotland
A little bit of UNC Asheville could be found in Ireland and Scotland when UNC Asheville professors Sarah Judson and Anne Slatton took their students across the ocean for a faculty-led study abroad trip.
Read the Full Story
Getting Started
Ready to take the first step? Here's the short version of how it works, from browsing programs to landing abroad.
Create a VIA TRM account and to look over the overall programs list to see if there are other programs that interest you. As you expand your search for programs that might be right for you, it is important to engage in some careful study of what courses are offered in English in the course disciplines that align with the courses you need to graduate.
Consider your academic goals, personal interests, budget, and any potential barriers to studying abroad. Review program calendars carefully to ensure they align with the UNC Asheville academic calendar. Compare program costs with a typical semester at UNC Asehville and review how financial aid may apply.
Email drhein@unca.edu to set up an appointment or drop by Ramsey 100 (walk-in hours: Tuesdays & Thursdays, 1 p.m.– 3 p.m.). We can help you evaluate programs, discuss budgets, explore course options, navigate the course equivalency process, and answer any questions you may have.
Research courses and work with the study abroad office, your advisor, and department chairs to match courses offered abroad with UNC Asheville equivalents. Get required approvals (Department Chair, Program Director, and Academic Advisor). Submit your Course Equivalency Form to the Study Abroad Office.
Make sure your passport is valid for at least six months beyond your program end date. If necessary, apply for or renew your passport at the U.S. Department of State website.
Submit your application through the UNCA Study Abroad portal. Some programs also require a separate application through the host university or affiliate provider. After acceptance, confirm your participation and complete all required documentation.
Documents: Complete the required documentation, such as your emergency contact information and performance agreement. Financial Aid: Complete the Cost of Attendance Form and meet with Financial Aid to review scholarships, aid eligibility, and disbursement timelines. Visa & Travel: Apply for any required visa and book flights only after receiving official program acceptance. Upload your itinerary to VIA TRM. Provide your travel dates for Insurance: Confirm your GeoBlue international health and travel insurance coverage. Housing & Health: Complete any required housing forms, review medical needs, and obtain necessary vaccinations or prescriptions.
Mandatory for all students. Learn about health, safety, cultural adjustment, and logistics.
Pack, review orientation materials, and immerse yourself in the host culture. Stay engaged, study hard, and make connections. Be sure to update the Office of Study Abroad with your local phone number, address, and final course schedule.
Register for upcoming semester classes and housing. Ensure your official transcript is sent to the Office of Study Abroad for credit transfer.
Once you’ve completed your program, make sure your credit comes home with you. Request that your host university send your transcript back to the UNC Asheville Study Abroad office. We accept electronic transcripts sent directly from the university or associated program (to drhein@unca.edu). If your host university prefers to send a hard copy, here’s the address to give them:
UNC Asheville Office of Study Abroad, 1 University Heights, CPO#1560, Asheville, NC 28804, USA
Continue your global learning experience by attending study abroad events, participating in panels, serving as a study abroad ambassador, and encouraging other students to consider studying abroad.
Then, explore your opportunities to remain engaged in international, intercultural, and global learning now that you are back home.
Application Fees and Deadlines
Application Fees and Deadlines
We want study abroad to be accessible and achievable for all UNC Asheville students. While most programs require an application/program fee, Pell-eligible students may request a fee waiver by emailing ldobson@unca.edu.
The following fees should be paid directly to Student Accounts:
- UNC Asheville Exchange Programs: $300
- UNC Asheville Partner Programs (Semester or Academic Year): $300
- UNC Asheville Partner Programs (Summer): $200
- Faculty-Led Programs: $200
Please note that some UNC Asheville partner programs may charge additional application or program fees.
Spring 2027 Application Deadlines
- UNC Asheville Affiliate Programs: Between September 15 and October 15
- ISEP Programs: September 15, 2026
- UNCG Baden-Württemberg Exchange: September 15, 2026
Summer 2027 Application Deadlines
- UNC Asheville Programs: February 4, 2027
- Affiliate Programs: February 15 – April 15, 2027, depending on the program
Paying for It
Studying abroad is more affordable than most students expect, and there’s likely funding to help make it happen. From financial aid and loans to dedicated study abroad scholarships, our office can help you find the right fit for your budget.