1. You must be a matriculated degree candidate with a declared major. You cannot participate in an international exchange if you are an "undeclared student". However, National Exchange opportunities are open to undeclared students.
2. You must have a minimum 2.5 GPA in order to participate in most programs. Some programs require a 3.0 minimum GPA.
3. You must have completed a minimum of 24 USM credits prior to your departure. Note: These must be USM credits, transfer credits do not count toward this 24 credit requirement.
We also recommend that you view the list of Frequently Asked Questions before proceeding. They may help to answer some of your general puzzles.
Ask yourself the following questions:
1. What Country?
Do I have language skills that I want to improve through study abroad? Is my major best served by a program in a specific country? Have I always wanted to study in Spain, New Zealand, Ecuador or South Africa?
2 . Do I need courses in my major? My minor? Or will I take mostly General Electives?
Does the program abroad have courses that will work toward my USM degree?
3. What program provider meets my needs best?
Compare study abroad program providers. Which program offers you the features you want such as a home stay with a local family, 
excursions, a field study component and falls within your price range.
We've designed a special Program Selection Worksheet to help you compare the various programs. We encourage you to print out a copy of this form and keep it handy as you sort though your program options.
USM has several "reciprocal exchanges" and partnerships with schools around the world. These partnerships provide students the opportunity to study at quality intuitions while receiving access to discounted tuition rates, additional scholarship funds and other benefits.
USM has relationships with excellent service providers which manage study abroad programs all over the world.
Our office has catalogs for many of these providers and you're welcome to stop by our office at 101 Payson Smith on the USM Portland Campus to pick a few up. Or in the meantime, use this handy set of links to that you can start the process right now!
Periodically some of these study abroad representatives come to the USM campus. Be sure to check the News & Events Page for updates on campus representative visits.
Looked at some of the options but still need help sorting through the choices? Found the perfect program but need to know "what next?"
Contact the Office of International Exchange to schedule an appointment with a student abroad advisor. We encourage you to bring your Program Selection Sheet and information on programs you've found that interest you.
Simply stop by the office at 101Payson smith on the Portland campus, call us at 780-4959 or drop us an e-mail to set up an appointment.
If you're sending an e-mail please be sure to include what days of the week times are good for you and if you've picked a country or program.
STEP #6: APPLY!