Affordable Study Abroad Programs to Escape the Cold Next Winter
James Oatis
He/Him
Staff Writer
3/2/25
Whenever students return from winter break to Plymouth State, they are greeted with two to three months of frigid conditions, single digit temperatures, and piles of snow and ice. If you are tired of scraping ice off your car in the parking lot or walking up a very icy Highland Street to get to the library, you may want to consider one of the many studies away/abroad programs Plymouth offers. Though study abroad programs are seen as pricey and complex, the University System of New Hampshire offers programs that won’t break the bank, while giving students a once in a lifetime experience.
The first, and most affordable, program offered by Plymouth State with the UNH Via program is the National Student Exchange, for which students pay PSU tuition to participate. Another benefit to the program is that, because it mainly encompasses campuses in the United States, no passport or visas are required to participate, making it one of the easiest programs to get involved in. Top programs to consider for a warm spring semester away from the cold include the University of New Mexico, University of Guam, and the University of the Virgin Islands in St. Thomas and St. Croix.
According to UNH Study Abroad leader Paula DiNardo, New Mexico provides a unique experience that is scenically different from Plymouth, and its location in Albuquerque provides a warmer experience in the desert. The New Mexico Lobos are also a Division I university with a notable basketball program to enjoy in the spring semester.
Another option to remain in the United States is to consider universities in American overseas territories. The University of the Virgin Islands not only brings students to a tropical setting in either St. Thomas or St. Croix, but also provides a unique experience as a Historically Black College or University (HBCU). Lastly, halfway across the world in the Pacific, is the tropical island of Guam, and the University of Guam.
If you are looking to study abroad in another country, Plymouth State and UNH offer many affordable programs to escape the cold for a semester. Newly added to Plymouth is a program for students taking business, biomedical, and computer science courses in Da Nang, Vietnam. At an estimated expense of $7,000 for both tuition and room and board, the VNUK Institute for Research and Executive Education at the University of Da Nang is easily one of the most affordable programs offered by Plymouth. Da Nang has temperatures in the winter and spring staying in the high 70s to high 60s, making it a drastically different world from the sleet and snow of Plymouth. Vietnam also provides a unique experience with its beaches, as well as its rich history and historical landmarks.
If you are not one of the majors listed above, but would still like to travel abroad for an affordable price, consider the program at Mahidol University International College in Bangkok, Thailand. Over 90 subject areas are offered at the English-speaking university with rich cultural experiences, all in one of Southeast Asia’s biggest cities. The weather in Bangkok is also a different world compared to Plymouth, with temperatures consistently around 80 degrees or above. With an estimated cost of around $12,000 for a semester, the Thailand program offers one of the most unique experiences for study in a big city with many different cultures and people. Scholarships can also be offered to students to reduce the financial burden of study abroad. More information about the program can be found on the TEAN Abroad website, a partner in UNH’s study abroad program.
If interested in studying either away or abroad this spring to one of these or many other programs offered by PSU and the USNH, contact either Claudia Larrow or Paula DiNardo. You can also follow @plymouthstudyabroad on Instagram to keep up with information.