Steps to Study Abroad

Before You Apply

1. Attend an in-person information session (check the USI Events Calendar) or complete the online version. Attending a study abroad information session will help you get started in planning a study abroad experience. Information sessions are designed to share benefits of study abroad and help you narrow down your choices according to courses offered, time frame, health and safety, finances, scholarships. etc. 
2. Complete a Study Abroad Advising Application where you will provide essential details about your plans, including location, timing, and funding. This helps our advisors understand your goals and offer more tailored guidance during your advising appointment.
3. Make an appointment with a Study Abroad Advisor: After you have attended an information session, schedule a meeting with a study abroad advisor to discuss your next steps.  
4. After your appointment, review the program options (partner programs, direct exchange programs, faculty-led programs, internships, volunteering, and service learning programs) and narrow options down to two or three.

       Things to consider: 

   • Are you interested in a short-term, semester, or year-long program?
   • When do you want to go abroad? (summer, fall, spring, or academic year)
   • What classes do you want/need? (Core 39, major, minor, elective courses)
   • Where do you want to go? (We have programs in more than 50 countries!)
   • What is your budget?
5. Discuss your plans to study abroad with the following individuals in your support network:  your academic advisor (can be found in DegreeWorks in your myUSI), family/support persons, and Financial Assistance.
6. Research Scholarship Options: USI is working hard to make study abroad affordable through a variety of internal and external scholarships. Other funding options are offered through partner programs and other organizations promoting international education.

You've Chosen a Program. Now what?

1. Make a second appointment with a Study Abroad Advisor. Before this appointment, you should narrow down your program options. In this appointment, we will discuss final details and ensure that you are well informed prior to approval of your myUSI study abroad portal application by the CIP office.
2. After you meet with your support network and your advising application has been approved by the CIP office, you should apply directly on the partner website. While completing the partner application, you should also work simultaneously through the myUSI study abroad portal program application.
3. As part of your program application in the myUSI study abroad portal, you are required to complete the Course Approval Record (CAR). This form allows you to list both your preferred and backup courses for your study abroad program, and obtain approval for their USI course equivalents. You will complete the CAR in collaboration with the appropriate USI department chair, based on the academic discipline of each course you plan to take abroad.
4. Apply for USI Study Abroad Scholarships and/or external scholarships. Please pay close attention to scholarship deadlines.
5. Before your study abroad program begins, make sure you complete all required pre-departure steps which includes attending the study abroad pre-departure orientation and completing all materials in your myUSI study abroad program application. 
6. When course registration is finalized on your abroad program, please complete and return the Enrollment Verification Form (EVF) to go.abroad@usi.edu. This confirms your full-time enrollment with USI and allows you to receive your USI financial aid package.
7. After you return from your study abroad program, the CIP office and the Career Success Center will co-lead a re-entry workshop that all study abroad participants are highly encouraged to attend.

*If you are doing a faculty-led program, please consult with your faculty leader. You are not required to meet with the CIP Office for an advising appointment, but you must attend the mandatory study abroad pre-departure orientation and re-entry workshop.