Things You'll Need:
- Passport
- Visa
- Shots
- Photocopies
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Step 1
Start looking for programs through your own college or university. Most school campuses have a study abroad office. Usually, the offices are well-stocked with brochures, videos and helpful students who've already been abroad and lived to tell the tale. Where you go is ultimately up to you, but if you have certain criteria in mind, someone will be able to point you to the right latitude.
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Step 2
Make an appointment with your academic advisor. Find out what kind of credit you will receive for your semester. This will help you schedule your classes for the following semesters and let you know whether you'll have enough for graduation.
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Step 3
Schedule a meeting with your financial aid officer. This step may sound akin to root canal, but the financial aid officer can help you make arrangements to be covered abroad and for when you return to your studies at your college or university. Having this information will help you with the next step.
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Step 4
Talk to mom and dad. Having a set plan and have finagled the finances will make the conversation much easier. If you aren't totally independent from parental financial support, it's only fair you let your parents know what kind of contribution they might need to make. Also, parents who have concerns about their child alone in a foreign country will be somewhat at ease if you've done your homework about your study abroad program. If you're over 18, the choice is yours, but keeping guardians in the loop will make the process much smoother. Besides, if you ask nicely, maybe they'll give you a ride to the airport.
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Step 1
Apply for a passport. If you have never been issued a passport before, if your passport is at least 12 years old or if you have lost your passport, you must apply in person. You can get an application at any municipal building or post office. Be sure you bring with you proof of citizenship such as a birth certificate and photo ID such as a driver's license. You will also need two 2 x 2-inch photos of yourself and $60. If you are just renewing a passport for a semester overseas, you can do it through the mail.
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Step 2
Find out if your destination country requires a visa. These take a while to issue, so apply as soon as possible.
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Step 3
Schedule a visit with your doctor to find out what kinds of shots are required. If you do not have a physician, call the Center for Disease Control and they can tell you what immunizations are necessary for the country you plan to study in for the semester.
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Step 4
Think about how you will communicate with friends and family back home. You may want to plan ahead and investigate different phone plans or phone cards that will offer service in your destination country. A semester overseas is a long time to go without hearing a familiar voice from home, and knowing how to get in touch ahead of time can alleviate some of the anxiety of traveling far away. You may want to investigate Internet access options as well.
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Step 5
Read up on your country. Find out what the cost of living is like, what the accommodations will be, temperature, transportation, customs, and food. The more you know about your destination the easier the transition will be. Studying abroad can give you quite a culture shock, so prepare yourself in advance.
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Step 6
Budget for a semester abroad. Think carefully about your expenses and try to plan ahead as much as you can. Being in a foreign country isn't much fun if you're broke. You may wish to use travelers' checks and one or two credit cards while abroad to keep your on-hand cash to a minimum.
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Step 7
Register with the U.S. Embassy in your destination country, especially if you plan on studying abroad for a month or more. If that country doesn't have an embassy, register with a nearby country.
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Step 1
Pack light. Keep in mind that you won't want to bring expensive items or anything you consider irreplaceable. Find out if you'll need an adaptor for any electrical items, such as a laptop, that you might bring with you.
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Step 2
Be sure you keep your medications in a carry-on bag with you and in labeled bottles.
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Step 3
Photocopy the first pages of your passport, your driver's license, plane tickets or flight information and your itinerary. Give one copy to someone reliable at home (e.g., your parents) and keep one set of copies with you in a safe place once you arrive. These will help you if you lose a passport, are robbed or have an emergency.
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Step 4
Enjoy the best experience of your education as you study abroad!
