Preparing for Study Abroad

Anna Fifelski

3 years ago

You Got Accepted! Now What?

You were just accepted to your first study abroad opportunity, but you have no idea where to go from here. Maybe you’ve never had a passport, let alone needed one. You know there are health documents to fill out, agreements to sign, and insurance to obtain, but you want to make sure you’re doing everything right. If you have no idea where to begin, read on for some tips to get you started.

Passports

The first thing you’ll need is, of course, a passport!

If you are a citizen of the United States, a passport is relatively easy to achieve, and can be obtained at any of the following locations:

Local Post Offices
Local Township Offices
County Clerk Offices

Type your location into the search bar at this website to find your closest options.

It is important to remember that some study abroad opportunities require you to have a passport in hand a certain amount of time before you are due to travel, so make sure you research carefully before applying. Along these same lines, if you already have a passport, many countries require you to have at least 6 months of validity remaining on your passport AFTER the scheduled completion date of your program, so be sure to keep an eye on your expiration dates.

A passport can take anywhere between 6 and 8 weeks to be delivered to your primary address.

You can fill out the DS-11 form here and remember to bring a proof of identity, form of ID, a professional passport photograph, and then a money order containing the fees of the passport and a separate one for the processing fee.

Specific information about required proofs, photographs, and money orders can be found here.

Getting a passport can be a long process, but it doesn’t have to be! Most universities have options for their students to take passport photos at discounted rates, and many Walgreens or CVS stores also offer the service. Money orders can be obtained at banks, postal offices, and some stores like Walmart, Meijer, Kroger, and Publix. Always call ahead to verify your options.

Visas

International students who wish to travel to the United States to study in an academic institution of any level require either a student visa (F or M) or a visiting scholar visa (J) depending on if you’ll be here primarily for academic research or work. Details for the specific visa required for each type of study, as well as the online applications are outlined here.

Students can apply for a student visa at a US Embassy or Consulate and are required to provide the following documents: a valid passport, a printed copy of DS-160, their interview appointment letter (original and copy), their institution’s Form I-20, visa fees payment confirmation, bank statement for at least three years showing that you have enough assets to pay for the first year (could be of parent or guardian), pay/ or salary slips, original mark sheets/provisional certificates, and the score sheet of exams like TOEFL, GMAT, and/or IELTS.

For students from the United States deciding to travel overseas, it is important to check the duration of your visit, because many countries allow students and tourists to stay up to 90 days without a travel visa. However, for study abroad programs that are longer, a visa may be necessary. CIBTvisas lists countries and their travel requirements, which can be found here.

Unlike passports, applying for a visa may require an interview and can be a much heftier bill than a passport. Be sure to research which option is best for you before your trip!

Health and Travel Insurance

Different universities regard travel insurance in a different light, and some may not require it based on the duration of your travel. It is most common that insurance is required when a student travels through any university program lasting more than 3 months. Make sure you discuss with your university’s program coordinator or your expedition leader after being accepted into the program. If health insurance is optional (we always recommend you go ahead and purchase insurance), consider the following:

Your overall physical health

This includes any previous treatments, surgeries, or dangerous experiences you may have recently gone through; including accidents, physical therapy, or whether you are inhibited by a cast or sling.

Your overall mental health

Have you recently been treated or are you currently being treated for a mental health condition? How do you normally handle this condition?

Do you require medications?

If you require medications for any condition, make sure to check with your advisor or call the embassy to check whether the medication is available in your country of travel, or if it is illegal to bring that medication through customs.

Regardless of whether or not it is required, it is definitely recommended in order to ensure that you are covered for a variety of unforeseen circumstances such as [but definitely not limited to!] trip cancellation, lost luggage, flight accidents, or other international or domestic losses. This can also be regulated by your university, but if you are a frequent traveler, it is up to you whether or not you make the decision to purchase it. Losing luggage and belongings is a scary thought; however, USAToday notes that less than 1% of bags on international flights are lost per year.

If you do decide on purchasing travel insurance on your own, check out Voy’s partner website and travel insurance provider, World Nomads. You can get a quote right here on our site!

Key Questions to Ask

While we can’t hold your hand through the entire process, our goal is to make your study abroad experience as easy as possible, as we have outlined thus far. Your university program coordinator and advisor are your greatest in-person resources leading up to your study abroad experience and they should be able to help you with the necessary forms, deadlines, and meetings that your trip requires. Questions that you should be sure to ask include the following:

Am I responsible for purchasing my own ticket and finding my own accommodations?
What are the dates for any required pre-departure meetings or orientations?
Are there any additional academic requirements that may put my position in jeopardy if I don’t complete them?
How do I organize my departure and return ? (i.e. is it your responsibility to schedule your trips or will you be subject to the decision of the group you are travelling with? This can vary across programs.)
Are there any forms of scholarships or aid available through the university?

Scholarships and Aid

Cost is one of the biggest hurdles to students considering study abroad opportunities. Indeed, it can seem like a really expensive, somewhat daunting “field trip”, but it doesn’t have to be. As long as you stay in touch with the program you are travelling through, and keep your lines of communication open, you should be able to have a relatively smooth trip. As for the cost, never shy away from discussing your financial worries with your advisor or your program’s contact. They should be more than happy (and it’s their job!) to help you find a plethora of help with financial aid and scholarships. Below are some useful resources that will help provide you a wonderful experience without breaking your budget.

While these are some of the most important things to consider before heading abroad, it is by no means an exhaustive list. Each and every individual person and program will encounter different requirements and, no doubt, challenges while preparing for their trip. Keep in mind that your university study abroad or international student services office is there to help, and so are we!

You can contact us with any questions or concerns you may have. And check out the study abroad forums here.

No matter what curveballs might come your way, there is no obstacle too big that it should prevent you from pursuing your dream of studying abroad. Stay excited and have fun! It’s about the journey, not the destination.