Study Abroad—Checklist

How To Begin

  • Apply for or renew your passport. Allow 10-12 weeks for processing or more. Be sure that the passport will be valid during the entire time you will be out of the United States. Be aware, too, that many countries require a passport to be valid for at least six months beyond your anticipated return date.
  • Attend a group information meeting. The schedule is posted on the web site of the Center for Study Abroad: http://www.rochester.edu/College/abroad/programs/schedule.html. Printed copies are available in Lattimore 206.
  • Schedule an appointment with a study abroad advisor after attending a group information meeting.
  • If you are an Eastman student, visit the Office of the Dean of Academic Affairs at the Eastman School of Music, 274-1020
  • Research programs using the Study Abroad Resource Library in Lattimore 206. You will find information about study abroad programs sponsored by many different colleges and universities. There are questionnaires that have been completed by University of Rochester students and a list of Peer Advisers who have recently participated in overseas study programs.
  • Talk to Peer Advisers (returnees) who have studied in the location or on the program you are considering.
  • Submit the Proposal for Study Abroad. Proposals are due September 15 for spring programs, and February 1 for fall and full-year programs.
  • The Proposal is non-binding. Submit it by the deadline even if you haven't yet decided on a program or location. You may submit it even before meeting with a Study Abroad advisor.
  • Discuss your plans with your parents/guardians.
  • Complete the seven-week, Study Abroad Orientation Blackboard course. Attendance and participation at the in person session and Blackboard course are mandatory. The orientation covers important information about health and safety, cross-cultural adjustment, Study Abroad Status, billing, residence halls, and registration for the semester following your time abroad. The course schedule will be sent to you with your Proposal response. If you do not successfully complete the course by the stated deadline, your approval to study abroad will be rescinded.
  • Submit all UR-sponsored program applications to the Center for Study Abroad. Send non-UR program applications directly to the program. Be sure to keep a copy of your application.
  • Meet with your faculty advisor. Declare your major and discuss how it will be affected by a semester or year abroad. Bring catalogues and recommendation forms for programs to which you are applying. You may do this even if you have not officially declared your major.
  • Estimate costs for the study abroad programs to which you are applying. Study abroad staff and Peer Advisers can help you with these figures. The Center for Study Abroad can provide you with an Expenses and Financial Planning Sheet to help budget your expenses.
  • Meet with a counselor in the Financial Aid Office in Meliora Hall if you receive financial aid or hold a Stafford Loan (or plan to). Discuss how study abroad affects current and future benefits.
  • Work with a counselor in the Center for Study Abroad to apply for any special study abroad scholarships or financial aid. Some have extremely early application deadlines, so don't delay. All UR students who apply to IES & CIEE programs are required to apply for IES & CIEE financial aid.
  • Registration for study abroad: Your study abroad Pre-departure Handbook will provide detailed information on registration for your semester abroad. Register in April for Fall study and November for Spring study abroad.
  • If you have not been admitted to a study abroad program at registration and housing lottery time, register for next semester's classes and enter the housing lottery to keep your options open should your study abroad plans change.
  • Find out the visa requirements, if any, on the country in which you plan to study.
  • If you are an international student, or do not hold a U.S. passport, meet with an advisor in the International Services Office in order to discuss the logistics of leaving the U.S.and re-entering upon your return from abroad.
  • If you have a disability, meet with an advisor in Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning to discuss accommodations needed. 275-9049.

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After Being Accepted

  • Apply for visa(s), if necessary. Initiate this process as soon as possible. Your study abroad program will give you information about how to apply for a visa. Also be sure to check on visa requirements for countries where you might want to travel during your time abroad.
  • Notify the Center for Study Abroad of your acceptance to a program.
  • Obtain course approvals for foreign language courses, and for courses you wish to use toward a major, minor, or certificate.You will need to meet with your academic and faculty advisors. Bring along course descriptions and course approval forms. If you are going on a non-UR program, you will need to have all courses approved for transfer credit, including those for which you wish to receive elective credit.
  • Fill out financial aid renewal forms for your return semester.
  • Research the city and country where you will be studying, brush up on the language, read newspapers. Browse the Internet. Many countries have informative and exciting sites.
  • Determine the health risks and requirements for the areas where you will travel and get any necessary vaccinations.
  • Find out about your banking options. Your program will most likely give you some information about banking in your host country. Having a checking account with a large, international bank (Citibank and HSBC are two examples) may be beneficial, but it does not necessarily mean that you will automatically have access to that account overseas by anything other than an ATM. Avoid unpleasant surprises!

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Before You Leave Campus

  • Make several photocopies of your passport. If you lose your passport while you are abroad, having a photocopy will greatly facilitate getting it re-issued. If you bring it to the Center for Study Abroad, we will keep it on file in the office while you are abroad.You should also take a photocopy to carry with you while traveling and leave one with a family member.
  • Forward your UR email account to a web-based email provider such as Yahoo, Gmail or Hotmail. We cannot send email directly to those accounts. All official correspondence will only be sent to your UR email account.
  • Visit the River Campus post office to give a forwarding address and to maintain your CPU box. We will provide a form for this.
  • Pack this guide and your pre-departure orientation materials in your carry-on luggage.

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While You Are Away

  • Send your overseas address and contact information to the Center for Study Abroad immediately. Notify us about any change of address.
  • Register for your return semester at the University of Rochester. Registration information is normally available online in mid-March for fall (and summer) courses, and in early November for spring courses. You may register online for your courses just as you would on campus.
  • Expedite your registration, housing, and parking materials, via email, airmail, or fax them without delay. Failure to do so can result in losing financial aid benefits, not receiving housing or parking for the following term, or being withdrawn from the College.
  • Notify our office of any changes in coursework.
  • Consider applying for graduate fellowships. Many fellowships (such as Fulbright and Marshall) are available for graduate study abroad. Fellowship handbooks are available at the Center for Academic Support, Lattimore 312. www.rochester.edu/College/CCAS/fellowships/
  • Have a great semester or year overseas! Send us a postcard!

When You Return

  • Shortly after you return home you'll receive an electronic mailing regarding Re-entry issues. The re-entry mailing includes a link to the on-line program questionnaire. Please submit it promptly so that we and other students may learn more about your study abroad program.
  • Give us your new telephone number so that we can update our records. Visit our office; we would love to see your photos and hear all about your adventures.

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