A collection of resources to help you plan and prepare for studying abroad.
Planning your study abroad can be both exciting and overwhelming. There’s so much to decide: where will I study abroad? How long do I want my program to be? When do I want to go?
And there is a lot to do, including applying for visas and passports, submitting your scholarship applications, packing … the list goes on and on.
Well, lucky for you, you’re not alone. University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC) has helped thousands of students find the answers to their most pressing study abroad questions, and we’ll help you do the same. USAC offers a variety of study abroad resources to help our future students plan their study abroad. Keep reading to learn more about some of the resources we have available.
Virtual advising hub
If you’re just getting started on your study abroad journey, consider scheduling an online appointment to speak with an Enrollment Specialist. It’s a great opportunity to ask any burning questions you have, whether you’re wondering about the application process, choosing a program, how to afford study abroad, or anything else.
Learn more about USAC and what we offer here.
Program search tool
With more than 50 programs in nearly 25 countries, we know how hard it can be to narrow down your study abroad options. To make things easier, try our program search tool, which lets you filter by country, area of study, location, and program term. You can start with the filter that matters most to you, for example location or maybe your academic area of study, and then add more filters as needed to refine your results.
Budgeting and financial planning tools
We know cost is one of the biggest factors students consider when deciding to study abroad. That’s why we aim to be as transparent as possible about our pricing and what is included in our program fees. To help you plan ahead and feel more prepared, we’ve created a variety of resources:
- Program fees and billing page. As a nonprofit, USAC strives to provide you with the most affordable, quality programs possible, and part of that experience is knowing exactly what you’re paying for. Our program fees page features our Specialty and Partnership Programs’ starting prices so you can quickly find programs within your budget. You can also search program pricing by term to help you determine your ideal study abroad journey.
- Interactive budget sheets. Every USAC program includes both non-negotiable fees (tuition and flights) and negotiable fees (optional tours and housing options). Interactive budget sheets are available for every program, which allow you to play around with your program’s customizable options and create a study abroad experience that fits within your budget. You can find the budget sheet within the Fees and Deadlines section of each program.
- Scholarships and discounts. USAC offers scholarships and discounts for every program. Funding ranges from program-specific awards, such as our Regional Scholarships, to student-specific awards, including scholarships for STEM majors and community college students. To apply, complete one simple application and answer a few personal essay questions. From there, we’ll consider your application for each USAC scholarship you are eligible for. We also encourage you to check with your home university to learn more about external scholarships, financial aid, and other funding options you may qualify for.
- Finally, check out this blog series about managing your finances while abroad, written by a USAC alumna who has been there, done that:
Health and safety information
Safety abroad is our top priority at USAC, and it should be yours, too. You might have questions like: how can I manage my mental health while abroad? How will USAC help me if I experience a safety incident while I am on my program? Our Health and Safety section of our site answers all of these questions and more, with resources for prospective students and parents on topics like mental health, accessibility, and safety abroad.
THE Study Abroad Pod(cast)
As a USAC student abroad, you have your own story, perspective, and experiences to share. The podcast is a space to reflect on your time abroad, share advice with future students, and talk through the unique, unexpected, challenging, funny, and memorable moments that shaped your experience.
You can listen to THE Study Abroad Pod wherever you get your podcasts, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Here are a few fan-favorite episodes to get you started:
- Interning with purpose: women creating change abroad
- Out and abroad in London
- Embracing distant and newfound family in Japan
- From French family dinners to Moroccan adventures
- What living in Seoul is like
If you’re studying abroad and would like to be featured on the podcast, we’d love to hear from you. Each episode is designed to feel more like a conversation than a formal interview, so you can share your experience in a relaxed and meaningful way. Reach out to us at podcast@usac.edu.
USAC’s YouTube channel
Whether you’re still deciding where to study abroad or already know which country you’re headed to, the USAC YouTube channel is a great resource. With a mix of student videos and staff-created content, our channel gives you a closer look at daily life abroad. No matter where you are on your study abroad journey, browse our playlists to learn more about USAC host cities, programs, and activities.
USAC social media
Want to see what study abroad actually looks like? Follow USAC on Instagram and TikTok for photos, videos, and reels from students abroad. You’ll also find program updates, podcast episodes, new blog posts, and more.
You can also follow USAC on LinkedIn for news, updates, and opportunities to stay involved. After your program ends, join our LinkedIn Alumni Network group to keep in touch with fellow USAC alumni and program staff.
Once you’re abroad, don’t forget to tag us at @studyabroadusac — we love seeing your photos, videos, and day-in-the-life moments.
