What should I do to study abroad?
1. Do your homework:
Read this entire FAQ. Use this site to narrow your list of desired
programs. Collect course descriptions, recommended credits, and
any other information your advisor or family needs. Be able to
articulate where you want to go, what you want to study and why.
2. Talk to the right people:
Your Study Abroad Advisor - These dedicated individuals exist
to prepare you for your study abroad experience. Take advantage
of their invaluable services, but be sure you’ve done your
homework first; like most of us, study abroad advisors often
have heavy workloads and compressed schedules.
Your Academic Advisor - This person can ensure that you receive
the proper amount and type of course credit upon returning to
your home college or university. Your academic advisor can also
advise you as to exactly how this credit will fit into the big
picture of your degree.
Your Financial Aid Advisor - You may need to do some financial
paperwork to ensure your student loans are properly redirected
to or ensure proper course credit. Make sure you take care of
this as early as possible to avoid any unpleasant surprises,
especially since many scholarships have early deadlines.
Your Family - People in your family will certainly want to know
your study abroad plans and some may have valuable advice about
traveling overseas. Make sure to keep them informed as your plans
develop. Also, suggest that they take a look at the section specifically
for parents on this web site for additional information that
they may be looking for. If they still have questions, suggest
that they give us a call, we’re more than happy to talk
to them. Lastly, your family is your link to home. So at the
very least, make copies of your passport, visa, itinerary, and
all contact information for your folks in the U.S. before you
leave.
3. Take care of business:
CIEE helps you procure accommodations, a student ID (for travel
discounts and cheap entry into museums and such) and your insurance.
But make sure you’ve arranged for your travel, funding
sources, passport, visa (if required), and all your shots. Your
study abroad advisor will guide you through all of these steps.
Once you are accepted, you will receive a comprehensive set
of materials from CIEE that contains a complete checklist of
tasks to perform in preparation of your leaving–including
a suggested packing list that will probably lighten your load.
How do I get a passport?
If you’re planning to leave the U.S., you need a passport.
The easiest way to get one is to complete an application form
available at many federal, state and probate courts, many post
offices, some libraries and a number of county and municipal
offices. More information on getting a U.S. passport is available at: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/get_840.html.
For all passport services, see the U.S. State Department’s
Web site: http://travel.state.gov/passport/.
The application for a DSP-11 passport (the one you need if you’ve
never had a passport before) can be downloaded from: http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/ds11/ds11_842.html. For all applications and forms, see: http://travel.state.gov/passport/forms/forms_847.html
Will I need an entry visa?
That depends on where you’re planning to go. Included with
your acceptance letter, CIEE sends you a lot of information concerning
visa application procedures. If you’re curious before then,
the easiest way to find out entry visa requirements is by checking
the Web site of the U.S. State Department’s Bureau of Consular
Affairs: http://travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html. Scroll
down to see country-specific requirements.
Don’t worry about visa requirements until you have been
accepted to a program—just make sure that you have a passport
so that you can quickly apply for a visa once you have been accepted.
Applying for a visa can be a lengthy process. Allow enough time
for processing your visa application, especially if you are applying
by mail. Most foreign consular representatives are located in
big cities, and in many instances, travelers may be required
to obtain visas from the consular office in their area of residence.
Processing and visa fees vary, and most fees may not be refundable,
consult the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit
for specific details.
Where can I find free tips for travelers?
The U.S. State Department offers a multitude of free tips
for travelers and travel publications on their Web site: http://travel.state.gov/travel/travel_1744.html.
What’s it like to study abroad?
For this answer, CIEE offers this brief essay by a former
study abroad participant.
“In the beginning, I was engulfed by the newness of it
all. Everything was different—the money, the buildings,
the doorknobs, the toilet. It was like walking around with glasses
that turned the world upside down. It was a bit overwhelming
at first, and from time to time, feelings of helplessness would
arise.
But they were short-lived, and in due course replaced by a swelling
sense of utter independence, like none I had ever really known
before. But by then I was far too busy to bask in an idle glow
of autonomy. Between coursework and traveling in my leisure time
with newly-made friends, I spent almost every waking moment as
a human sponge—soaking up an astonishing amount of new
information—and all the while thinking how, at long last,
I had filled those nagging gaps in my take on the world. How
could I have been so insulated?
But I found that the real culture shock came when I arrived
back in the U.S. My whole perspective changed about where I call
home. This really is practically a brand new country and I can
understand a lot better how outsiders see us. Then the wave of
relief came. I know how to make a phone call again! I can order
a meal and know exactly what to expect. And the big one, I can
understand every word—including the slang—in every
conversation I hear. The familiarity was my welcome home, but
it wasn’t long before I found myself daydreaming about
all the other study abroad adventures I’m now capable of.
What’s it like to study overseas? It’s whatever
you make of it. So I’d heartily recommend taking every
opportunity to learn new things, go new places, and meet
new people because that’s what you’ll wish you did
once you return and that what will influence the rest of your
life.”
What kind of general support will I have while I’m
abroad?
All CIEE Study Centers have on-site resident staff who
are there to oversee the academic and cultural program, conduct
thorough orientation sessions, act as liaison with the host
institution, and provide counseling to program participants.
The Resident Director, or RD, is responsible for finding host
families, and making sure that each home is up to CIEE's standards.
Families are visited before a student arrives, and as necessary
during the course of the stay.
The RD also helps integrate participants into the local student
population through residence in dorms, and extracurricular activities
such as sports and clubs.
At many Centers the RD is a U.S. academic who is a permanent
CIEE employee. In some instances, the RD is on a short-term contract
and returns to teaching in one of the consortium institutions
at the end of a year or two. In still other Centers, CIEE appoints
a local faculty member or member of the university's administration
as RD. In all cases our resident staff are fluent in English
and familiar with the U.S. system of education, and the expectations
of U.S. students.
With over 30 years of experience in program development and
management (and thousands of participants), CIEE has earned a
reputation for offering carefully designed, high-quality academic
programs and excellent support services that assure students
of a totally integrated, well-rounded study abroad experience.
How can I get an International Student Identity Card (ISIC) or an International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC)?
Council Travel, who used to issue International Student Identity Cards (ISIC), International Teacher Identity Cards (ITIC), and arrange inexpensive student airfare, went out of business in winter 2002.
STA Travel now issues ISICs and ITICs and arranges student travel. Please feel free to contact them at:
STA Travel
tel. 1-800-226-8624
URL www.myISIC.com or www.statravel.com
An ISIC is available to students age 12 and up, who are enrolled in an accredited institution, and working towards a degree or diploma. To be able to get your ISIC you will need to show valid proof of your current student status, proof of age and provide a wallet or passport sized photo.