Health Professions Students Studying Abroad

  • Study abroad is available through UNH programs or programs offered by other institutions/agencies and approved by UNH. Health Professions students considering a study abroad program, ideally, should begin their planning as early as the first year of college. Many students study abroad for a semester during their sophomore or junior year. Some study abroad programs may be available for summer study.
  • COLSA has five of it's own study abroad experiences.  Immerse yourself in Costa Rica’s tropical agriculture, tour working farms in Ireland, explore the Italian food system from the medieval city of Ascoli Piceno, or take advantage of two study abroad experiences in New Zealand, one focused on timely and relevant ecological field studies, the other on sustainable agriculture — all while being exposed to new cultures and ideas and meeting new and interesting people.
  • To avoid possible problems and questions of course ambiguity, it is a good idea to complete your prerequisite courses in the US. Most schools prefer that their required science courses, when taken abroad, be strictly comparable to those taught in the US. In addition, it is not advisable to split a two-semester lab science course between different schools. You will also need to plan for the timing of the MCAT/DAT/OAT and your application to schools. This can be a very time-consuming process and not something a student usually wants to focus on while studying abroad.
  • UNH students begin the application process to health professions programs two years before they plan to matriculate. Many students apply during their junior year, while others apply during their senior year. This later time may be particularly suitable for students who study abroad and are not on campus in their junior year.

Health professions students considering participating in an international medical/dental service experience should review the following:

  • AAMC Guidelines Premedical and Medical Students Providing Patient Care During Clinical Experiences Abroad