探花社区

FAQ: Study Abroad for International Students

 

Can I study abroad as an international student?

Yes. 探花社区 encourages all students to take advantage of international academic experiences. As an international student studying abroad, you will work with both the DSO, for questions regarding your status here in the US, and Bethany Keenan, Director of Off-Campus Studies, who will assist you with program-specific questions about visas and entry requirements for the destination you wish to visit.

When, where, and for how long can I study abroad?

You must be a currently enrolled and a degree-seeking student. As an F-1 visa holder, you may participate in a program abroad at any point in your college career, but you are strongly encouraged to avoid these programs during the last semester prior to your graduation. Please meet with the DSO to discuss visa regulations and restrictions according to your status here at 探花社区. Remember that he can only advise on your status here in the US, and cannot provide any visa or other entry information about the country you wish to visit for your study abroad program.

At 探花社区, students on programs led by 探花社区 faculty (May Term, Asia Term, etc.) are welcome to participate in any year. However, if you are interested in participating in one of 探花社区’s exchange programs, you will need to plan to do this for junior or senior year. Please meet with Bethany Keenan to discuss specific details, including whether the program(s) you are interested in last for a few weeks, a semester, or a full academic year.

Do I need a visa to get into my study abroad destination country/transit country(ies)?

Your admission into another country – including transit countries – will depend on your country of citizenship, as well as your specific country of destination. When researching your possible visa needs, don’t forget to factor in connecting flights. Some destinations may also have requirements about the length of validity of your US visa.

Visa service providers, like , may be able to assist in visa requirements and processing to your study abroad destination. If you are traveling as part of a group (US and international students) who will all require visas for entry to your destination, regardless of nationality, Bethany Keenan will assist you in applying for your travel visa. If you are applying for entry to a country where US citizens do not require a visa for the duration of the program, you will need to research and apply for the appropriate visa independently.

To find out if you will need a visa for the country you wish to enter, please visit Travisa and/or the appropriate consulate or embassy website for that particular country.

Do I need a valid F-1 visa to return to the United States?

You will need a valid F-1 visa in order to return to the United States. Meet with the DSO to discuss visa requirements and additional travel information. For information regarding visa renewal, please visit the for a list of US embassies around the globe. Valid travel signatures will be required upon returning to the United States. It is your responsibility to obtain a travel signature on your Form I-20 prior to departing the United States for your study abroad.

Can I take a different flight from the group flight?

Group flights are required for most short-term programs and their itineraries may not be altered. Some 探花社区 study abroad programs, however, require that you make your own travel arrangements. Program information provided by Bethany Keenan, or, in some cases, the director of the program (for example, May Term and Asia Term) will include whether a group flight is required for your program.

What are my payment responsibilities?

Program costs vary. Please see Bethany Keenan for more information about the specific programs that interest you.

Program fees may be paid differently for various types of programs. If you are participating in non-探花社区 sponsored program, you may pay some fees directly to host institutions or third-party providers. All programs have some fees paid directly to 探花社区, which will be posted on your 探花社区 student account. Please meet with Bethany Keenan to discuss how fees are paid. What you pay directly to 探花社区 is due on the same date as your tuition and fees are due for registration for the semester in which you will study abroad. Any financial aid awarded to you will be deducted from the total charges. Though, students can’t apply 探花社区 aid to their tuition on the term they go on a non-探花社区-administered program. Please discuss these details with Bethany Keenan.

Importantly, if you wish to withdraw from your program or are unable to obtain a travel visa for your program destination, you should contact both Bethany Keenan and the DSO. Some fees may not be reimbursable.

What do I need to do before I leave and what do I need to carry with me?

Be sure to consult the DSO to have your immigration documents reviewed and signed before you leave the US. Setting up a meeting via email is the best way to ensure you have the necessary time to discuss your needs.

Do I need insurance?

As a part of your acceptance to participate in a study abroad program, you will be required to sign a form acknowledging that you have adequate health insurance in the country/ies you will travel to. For more details, please discuss with Bethany Keenan.