Study Exchange programs are currently on hold until further notice. Please contact [email protected] for additional information about study abroad.

The SMTD international education opportunities allow students to enroll at an institution abroad for a semester, a summer, or an academic year, with the possibility of earning academic and/or performance credits toward an SMTD degree program. Any non-freshman undergraduate or graduate level SMTD student in good academic standing (3.0 minimum GPA) who wishes to pursue relevant studies offered by another institution, and desires an outstanding opportunity for cultural immersion and intensive language study is encouraged to apply.

Preparing to Study Abroad

Before applying for any study abroad program, students should consult with the studio instructor/advisor and an SMTD Academic Advisor to determine if an international education program fits educational and professional goals and will not interfere with recital plans or ensemble obligations. For those pursuing a dual degree, it is necessary to consult with both SMTD and the advisor in the other unit to ensure degree requirements will remain on track.

The studio instructor/advisor can help determine the best time to go abroad, as well as help identify coursework and potential performance teachers (for performance majors).

For those completing a study abroad program for academic credit, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain an evaluation/transcript documenting coursework completed, including grades received, from the host institution or program. Upon completion of study, follow-up with an SMTD Academic Advisor to ensure credits are added to the U-M academic record.

Students must have a passport valid through six months after the end of intended study abroad. For more information on obtaining or renewing a passport, see the State Department’s website.

U-M Resources for Study Abroad

M-Compass is the University of Michigan’s hub for study abroad programs. You may search and apply for programs through the website. Many programs are administered by the U-M Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS).

Predeparture Checklist (Global Michigan)
Travel Abroad Health Insurance
Visa Requirements (U-M International Center)
Study Abroad Information from the U-M International Center
Passport Information (U.S. Department of State)
Travel Warnings (U.S. Department of State)

SMTD Study Exchange Programs

Study exchange programs offer SMTD students the opportunity to study at specific international partner schools while enrolling at U-M and paying U-M tuition. All application materials should be submitted in MCompass by the specified application deadline.

Cost

SMTD students participating in a Study Exchange pay full-time tuition to U-M in lieu of foreign tuition and may continue to receive most SMTD merit-based scholarships and UM need-based financial aid. Students will pay all living expenses incurred during the exchange – including travel to and from the host country, housing, food, books, medical insurance and care, passport and visa fees.

Health Insurance Requirements

You must have U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance and show proof of health insurance before being allowed to attend classes. In addition, students at Conservatoire de Paris are required to pay the Conservatoire’s mandatory Comprehensive and Health Fees.

Housing

The host institution may assist in finding information about housing in dormitories, apartments or private homes, but actual booking of housing is the responsibility of the student.

Immigration Papers

The coordinator at your destination school will assist with necessary Visa paperwork. It is the student’s responsibility to provide any required documentation or pay required fees related to the Visa application. Students must apply in person at the nearest consulate/embassy location for the program host country. Please allow up to three months for Visa processing.

Non-US Citizens and International Degree Students

Any applicant who is not a U.S. citizen should contact the consulate of the program host country to determine if a student visa or other paperwork is necessary. This process, which in some cases can take several months to complete, should be started as soon as possible. Most international degree students are welcome to apply. Those who grew up in, and are culturally familiar with the host country, however, are not eligible for admission to that program.

Partner Institutions

International Study Exchange Programs are available at these partner institutions:

Conservatoire de Paris; Paris, France

Language Prerequisites

Completion of at least three semesters (four preferred) of university-level French is required prior to the beginning of the exchange semester/year.

Terms of Study

It is recommended that students begin their studies at the beginning of the academic year (typically around mid September). A full academic year at Paris Conservatoire typically lasts from mid September until early July and includes several long holiday breaks. Exact dates of exchange will be determined as part of the application process, but the most common periods of study are as follows:

Autumn: mid September to late December
Spring: early January to early April
Full Academic Year: mid September to early April

Application Dates and Deadlines

All applications are due in MCompass by March 1 for the following academic year.

Applicants will be notified of decisions by July 1.

Required Application Materials
  • Application Form
  • Curriculum Vitae (in French or English)
  • Letter of Recommendation from a teacher or another artistic personality
  • Learning Agreement
  • Letter of Motivation: cover letter describing why the applicant wishes to study at the Paris Conservatoire and with which instructor (in French or English)
  • Transcript of records (students may download their UM unofficial transcript in Student Center on Wolverine Access)
  • Students applying to Musicology: Musicology applicants should include a detailed description of past research and a proposed study project while at the Paris Conservatoire
  • Students applying to Composition: Composition applicants should include a portfolio of compositions. A recording of personal compositions may also be submitted.
  • Students applying to Instrumental/Vocal Performance: Performance applicants should should include a 20 to 30 minute recording (preferably a video), containing pieces in different styles, and an attestation certifying its authenticity (a memo from applicant’s private instructor on UM letterhead). The recording is mandatory even if the student has already had a live audition with their preferred instructor form the Conservatoire
  • Students applying to Jazz: Jazz applicants should include a 15 to 20 minute recording of the following: 1. one standard where the student plays the melody and takes a solo on the changes – with a rhythm section or group; 2. one composition by the student or, in case she/he does not compose, an arrangement of a tune of the student’s choice that could indicate the student’s aesthetic direction – with a rhythm section or group; 3. a free solo improvisation.
  • Students applying to Dance: Dance applicants should include a video of the following: one solo piece from the contemporary repertoire or an excerpt of a creation and one piece composed by the student (danced solo or in a group).
  • Students applying to Sound Engineering: Sound Engineering applicants should include three personal audio or audio-visual productions by the student.

Hochschule für Musik; Karlsruhe, Germany

Language Prerequisites

Completion of at least three semesters (four preferred) of university-level German is required prior to the beginning of the exchange semester/year.

Terms of Study

Winter: early October to early February
Summer: early April to late July

Application Dates and Deadlines

All applications are due in MCompass by January 15 for the following academic year.

Required Application Materials
  • Application Form
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Letter of Recommendation from major instructor
  • Learning Agreement/Workplan to include: programs of study, instruction, research, observation, other projects; work plan should also include applicant’s background interests, training, language capabilities
  • Audio CD or DVD and an attestation certifying its authenticity (a memo from the applicant’s private instructor on UM letterhead).

Trinity Laban Conservatoire; London, England

Terms of Study

Autumn: early September to mid December
Spring: early January to end of March

Application Dates and Deadlines

All applications are due in MCompass by March 1 for the following academic year.

Applicants will be notified of decisions by May 15.

Required Application Materials
  • UCAS Conservatoire online application
  • Curriculum Vitae or history of previous study
  • Personal Statement: cover letter telling a bit about the applicant and describing why they wishes to study at Trinity Laban Conservatoire
  • Students applying to Dance or Music Performance: Video recording: Should be approximately 15 minutes of the applicant performing and should ideally included 3 pieces of varying styles. Applicants to Dance and Musical Theatre may include footage of them participating in a class.
  • Students applying to Composition: Portfolio of compositions, including 3 pieces of varying styles.

Zurich University of the Arts; Zurich, Switzerland

Language Prerequisites

Completion of at least three semesters (four preferred) of university-level German is required prior to the beginning of the exchange semester/year.

Terms of Study

Autumn: mid September to mid January
Spring: mid February to early June

Application Dates and Deadlines

Applications are due in MCompass by March 1 for the following Autumn term. Applicants will be notified of decisions by July 1.

Applications are due in MCompass by September 1 for the following Spring term. Applicants will be notified of decisions by December 1.

Required Application Materials
  • AEC Application form
  • ZHdK Application form
  • Curriculum Vitae
  • Letter of Motivation: cover letter describing why the applicant wishes to study at Zurich University of the Arts
  • Transcript of records (students may download their UM unofficial transcript in Student Center on Wolverine Access)
  • Learning Agreement/Workplan to include: programs of study, instruction, research, observation, other projects; work plan should also include applicant’s background interests, training, language capabilities
  • Students applying to Instrumental/Vocal Performance or Conducting: Audio or Audio visual recordings submitted via CD, DVD, or online streaming
  • Students applying to Composition, Theory, or Sound Engineering: Documentation of applicants’ work in appropriate form (musical scores, recordings, analyses, film material, or similar)

Additional Opportunities Abroad

Music/Dance/Yoga in Mysore, India

  • Live in amazing Mysore, the seat of the Maharaja of Mysore, the ancestral home of Yoga, in the “Silicon Valley” of South India
  • Participate in the oldest traditions of learning and teaching of Classical Music, Dance and Yoga
  • Eat Organic Home-Cooked Vegetarian Food, Practice Yoga Daily, and live in a the community with a Professor
  • See 15 concerts/plays of stunning quality, performers of Veena, Violin, Mrdangam, Voice, Flute, Bharata Natyam, as well as Ramayana Shadow Puppeteers
  • Hear inspirational lectures on Gender, Caste, Development, Yoga (Patanjali Sutras) and language (Kannada)

Each student will be paired with one teacher and will learn in the guru-shishya parampara (the one-to-one master-disciple system) in the home of the teacher. The aim will not be a mechanical pursuit of further mastery over some instrument(s), but a holistic learning of the music as well as philosophy, pedagogical tradition, performance structures, and lifestyle practices that surround the music. In addition to one private lessons in South Indian (Karnatic) music per day, students will live in community with Professor Stephen Rush, who will lead discussions concerning the influence of Indian music on contemporary music, the Gita (for Westerners), discussion of social/cultural issues in India, and discussions concerning the epic stories and religion of India. The trip will also include a special weekend trip to an amazing and gorgeous beach resort in Kerala.

Eligibility

Participants do not need to be currently enrolled at the University of Michigan (or any other institution).

Only U-M students will be eligible for financial aid and assistance through U-M and its sponsored programs.

Language Prerequisites

Relevant instruction in Kannada revolving around subjects of study is nearly impossible, but students are encouraged to learn 50 words in advance of the trip. All local teachers speak fluent English.

Dates

July 13, 2019 through August 10, 2019

Cost

All listed costs are estimates as of October 15, 2018, and are subject to change.

  • Program Fee: $3200 (may change due to grant funding that is currently pending)
    • Includes Room and Board, ground travel/travel to/from Bangalore (including a hotel each way, all instructional fees including special guest programs/concerts), and a weekend trip to the beach in Kerala.
  • Airfare (roundtrip between Detroit and Bangalore): $1300-1700
  • Personal expenses: $300

A non-refundable deposit of $500 is due April 1, 2019, for all participants. Remaining funding (2700$) is due June 1, 2019.

Application Dates and Deadlines

All applications are due January 10, 2019

Application Materials

The application process consists of an essay and an interview. The essay is due January 10, 2019, and interviews will take place shortly thereafter. The applicant is to express their interest in specific study of:

  • Carnatic Singing
  • Dance (Bharata Natyam)
  • an instrument common to South India (Flute, Violin, Veena, Mrdangam, Nadaswaram)
  • and/or Yoga.

Each prospective student must write an essay of no more than 500 words explaining their desire to study Indian Music (specify instrument/voice), Dance (Bharata Natyam only) and/or Yoga. Once in India, all students are expected to devote at least 2 hours each day to the practice of their craft beyond the taking of daily lessons (4 per week). The essay should demonstrate at least an introductory familiarity in the field, with mentions of books, favorite musicians, dancers, etc., as well demonstrate an introductory level of cultural awareness about India’s religions, current cultural issues, and fine arts.

India Part One: Getting Accustomed; a video by LSA student, Chelsea Hamm

The India Program is Music to Their Ears; an article on Global Michigan

uminindia.tumblr.com; blog from last year’s program

Please contact Stephen Rush with questions or for additional details.

UM Study Abroad Resources

Global Michigan

Global Michigan: Home

Education Abroad Opportunities

Travel Resources

Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS)

Center for Global and Intercultural Study (CGIS): Home

CGIS Programs

Global Course Connections (GCC)

Global Intercultural Experience for Undergraduates (GIEU)

Wallenberg Fellowship

Wallenberg Fellowship

Summer in South Asia Fellowship

Summer in South Asia Fellowship

International Institute Individual Fellowships

International Institute Individual Fellowships

Non-UM Study Abroad Opportunities

Students interested in participating in Non-UM Study Abroad opportunities should contact their advisor prior to enrolling in the program to ensure that their intended course elections will transfer to SMTD.

IES Abroad

IES Abroad: Home

Notable IES programs:

  • IES London Theater Studies – Semester program focusing with coursework on text analysis, performance, the theater industry in London, playwriting workshops, literature courses and a variety of electives.
  • IES Dublin National Theater School of Ireland – Gaiety School of Acting – Semester program where students will directly enroll in the NTSI-GSA’s conservatory-style performance curriculum. This is an intensive program for students wanting to focus on stage performance.
  • IES Dublin Summer Intensive Acting at the NTSI – GSA – Summer program where students will take a theater workshop with IES Dublin and four credits with the NTSI-GSA.
  • IES Milan Music: Tradition & Innovation – Semester program for music students. Customizable curriculum to meet students’ curricular needs and personal interests. Courses are taught in English, and include music history, composition, theory, technology. Opportunities are also available for performance workshops, private instruction and ensemble and choir work.
  • IES Vienna Music – Semester program for music students. Offers wide range of English-taught music courses including history, theory, opera, production. Music performance workshops, private instruction and music internships are also available.
  • IES Vienna Music History & Performance – Summer program for music students. Opportunity to take English-taught coursework in music history, performance studies and/or German language study.
  • IES Paris Studio Art, Dance & Music – Semester program for students with at least two college semesters of French. Music students can take courses through the Ecole Normale de Musique de Paris/Afred Cortot. Dance majors can take coursework through the Paris Marais Dance School.
  • IES Amsterdam Conservatorium van Amsterdam – Semester program for music students looking for a conservatory experience. Competitive application process. Courses taught in English.

As a member of the IES Abroad consortium, University of Michigan students receive full benefits, including an automatic $2,000 Public University Grant for any semester program, as well as access to IES scholarships.

Scholarships & Grants