In 2025 alone, around 320 University of Idaho students travelled internationally for educational purposes, with Spain, Italy, England and other Western European destinations remaining the most popular. UI offers study abroad or international programs in more than 70 countries, according to Kate Wray Chettri, the director of UI’s education abroad program.
Chettri, who studied abroad for several semesters herself, said the experience shaped her understanding of cultural immersion and academic independence.
“My first time traveling abroad was to Italy, and it completely changed how I saw the world,” Chettri said.
Studying abroad isn’t limited to foreign language and international studies majors, Chettri said. The program works with students across all disciplines to help them find opportunities that fit their academic paths.
Journalism and media studies students, for example, can study in places like the Czech Republic or Santiago, Chile, where programs focus on media history and global reporting.
Chettri said the international programs office helps students compare options and determine which programs align with their degree requirements.
Upper‑division students, typically juniors and seniors, make up the majority of those who study abroad, though there are options available to sophomores and summer opportunities for current freshmen. According to Chettri, most programs require students to have completed at least one full year on campus before going abroad.
While studying abroad can be exciting, Chettri emphasized the importance of understanding the financial side of international travel. Costs vary widely depending on the country, program type and a student’s financial aid package. Many exchange programs allow students to study abroad while paying UI’s in‑state tuition, while faculty‑led programs, often shorter and held in the summer, such as trips organized by the department of Asian Studies to Taiwan, Korea and Japan, have program‑specific costs. Credits earned abroad can typically be transferred back to UI.
Scholarships and grants, such as the nationally competitive Gilman Scholarship which can help offset expenses. Chettri recommends all students studying abroad to try for Gilman Scholarship; the application deadline for spring 2026 is March 5.
Students interested in studying abroad can gather more information and match withnan advisor at a first‑time info session. The study abroad website also offers a searchable database of programs, allowing students to compare destinations and requirements before meeting with an advisor. Unlike domestic college admission, study abroad opportunities are ongoing with each program having its own application date.
Chettri said she encourages anyone interested in studying abroad to get in contact with the international programs office for more information and to begin the search or application process.
Anna Capello can be reached at [email protected].