Important steps to consider as you plan for a USAC study abroad experience.
Studying abroad with University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) takes a lot of planning. If you’re a freshman, you might think it’s too early to start preparing for study abroad — but trust us, it’s not. If you’re an upperclassman and your departure isn’t for another year or so, you might think there’s nothing to be done in preparation right this moment.
Truth be told, it’s better to start the process as soon as possible. Here’s how you can begin preparing for your study abroad adventure, even if your departure is a long way off.
Start with the basics: Get your passport
Every traveler needs a passport, regardless of the program’s length or the location you’re considering. Now is a great time to apply for or renew your passport. An adult U.S. passport is valid for 10 years, so there’s no reason to wait. If you have any hunch that you want to study abroad, apply now! This can save you stress in the future in case there are delays or issues with your application.
If you’ve already started your USAC application, ask your Program Advisor about other travel documents and items you can start checking off your list now. If you haven’t started an application yet, sign up to talk to an Enrollment Specialist through the virtual advising hub.
Check out our study abroad resources
From daydreamers to alumni, USAC offers a plethora of resources to support our students throughout their study abroad journey. Whether it’s budgeting tools and planning tips or insightful and helpful student stories on the podcast, we have what you need to make your study abroad prep a breeze. Review our round-up of study abroad resources to get started.
Map out classes and credits
One potential hurdle that students encounter when planning their study abroad is finding the right courses for them. Many students — especially STEM majors — think that they won’t be able to take the courses they need abroad, but that’s not the case.
USAC offers courses for just about every major, from business and nursing to architecture and web design. Whether you’re starting early and plan to complete most of your gen-ed courses abroad, or you’re further along in your degree and have a limited selection of courses to fulfill, determine what credits and courses you still need to graduate and learn where in the world you can complete those requirements.
Get started by using the program search tool on our website, which allows you to filter by area of study, location, and term, so you can find the perfect study abroad destination. When you’re ready, schedule an appointment with your academic advisor at your home institution.
Research your home institution’s study abroad requirements
While USAC works closely with institutions all over the country, some schools have their own set of requirements students must meet to study abroad. These can include specific applications, required credits taken, what year you can study abroad, and more.
Be sure to speak to your institution’s study abroad office as well as your academic advisor about any additional requirements that need to be taken care of before departure. You can also see if there is a USAC student ambassador on your campus available to chat with or simply ask around in your dorm or classes to see if anyone has studied abroad with USAC before — alumni are always eager to share their tips and tricks.
Explore scholarships and budgeting options
At USAC, we pride ourselves on providing affordable program options as well as offering discounts and scholarships for all of our programs. Now is a great time to explore your funding options and understand all the ways you can pay for study abroad.
Not only does USAC offer our own scholarships, but we also accept external financial aid and scholarships (like the Gilman Scholarship), so you have a lot of options.
On top of knowing your scholarship options, it’s important to have an idea of what study abroad will cost and to begin budgeting and saving now. On the USAC website under each program (under the Fees & Deadlines tab), you’ll find an interactive budget sheet customized per program to help you determine how much a semester abroad will cost. It’s never too early to start putting some money aside for your study abroad expenses.
Check out alumni stories to learn more
Whether you’re bursting with questions about budgeting, travel, or must-visit locations in your chosen host city, USAC alumni have been there, done that. Check out the stories, reflections, and advice shared by alumni on the USAC blog, and on our social media accounts for behind-the-scenes look at student life abroad (we’re @studyabroadusac on Instagram, Tik Tok, and YouTube).
Get excited
No matter how long it is until your study abroad begins, there are several steps you can take to begin preparing right now. Developing your plans ahead of time will not only give you something to look forward to, but it also makes things a lot easier in the long run.
Keep the excitement alive by getting your daily dose of USAC inspiration. Sign up for our email list to receive information on upcoming deadlines, scholarships, and more; follow us on social media; listen to our podcast; and check out our blog to read student stories and alumni tips.
