In addition to the services offered to all students, The University of Montana offers a variety of specialized services for our international students.
Foreign Student and Scholar Services
The office of Foreign Student and Scholar Services is responsible for the general welfare of international students at The University of Montana from admission to graduation and practical training. They provide direct support services to students such as pre-arrival and arrival assistance, personal advisement, and financial assistance. FSSS also works collaboratively with several campus and community organizations to sponsor cultural activities, a community hospitality program for students, and the annual International Culture and Food Festival.
Global Partners Program
The UM Global Partners Program is a free program to provide a personal friend to help out new international students during their first semester on campus. The Global Partners are experienced UM students who have volunteered to help new international students during their first semester.
New international students who wish to participate in this program will be matched with a Global Partner who serves as a resource person and friend. The Global Partner will help you adjust to life on campus, the Missoula community, and to American culture in general, and also provide a friendly ear to help ease culture shock. The Global Partner often becomes your first friend on campus.
International House
The International House is a center for intercultural activities and programs. International students, scholars, campus, and community groups can reserve the facility for any internationally related event.
International Student Association
The International Student Association is an active and dynamic group that supports the welfare of international students in coordination with Foreign Student and Scholar Services.
Their main purpose is to organize activities and to promote cultural exchange and understanding among students, staff, and faculty of all nations and members of the local community.
International Culture and Food Festival
The International Culture and Food Festival is one of the biggest public events at UM and easily attracts more than 4,000 people to this daylong festival. Participants have the opportunity to sample foods from all over the world, watch international performances, check out exhibits from many countries, and experience cultural demonstrations.
International Programs
International Programs promotes and supports international education, research, scholarship, training, and projects that serve The University of Montana’s international mission.
This includes UM’s extensive Study Abroad Program which offers students the exciting opportunity to study abroad in one of 39 different countries through three different UM sponsored programs: Partner University Exchange, the International Student Exchange Program, and Faculty-Directed Study Abroad Programs.
Missoula International Friendship Program
The Missoula International Friendship Program promotes global awareness, understanding, friendship, and intercultural learning between international students and scholars at The University of Montana and the greater Missoula community. This program matches international students with families within the Missoula community for both year-long and semester-long friendships. Throughout the friendship match international students and their families learn about one another’s culture while sharing leisure and family activities. This program does not involve home-stays, just occasional get-togethers.
