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Frequently Asked Questions - Study Abroad

If I want to study and/or work/volunteer abroad, what do I do first?

You first need to visit the Office of International Programs (OIP) and meet with the Study Abroad Coordinator. It is best to schedule an appointment to maximize your time and so the Coordinator can best assess your individual needs. Please allow for at least 30 minutes to one hour for the appointment. Stop by and meet our friendly staff - we are always willing to lend a helping hand!

The office is open from 8am to 5pm, Monday through Friday. Appointments can be made between 8am to 2pm.

I know I want to go somewhere, but I have no idea where I want to study abroad. What should I do?

First of all, please know that you are in good company! Many students have no certain country or program in mind. The OIP staff looks forward to helping you identify the program(s) that suits your needs and interests.

After your initial visit to the OIP, think over some of the following:

Time spent reflecting on these questions will help in selecting the program and country you may want to apply for.

I know which program I want to participate in, now what?

Schedule a follow-up appointment with the Study Abroad Coordinator of the OIP. This appointment is a good opportunity to ask any specific questions or address any concerns you may have about the program. You should also request an application form at that time (if your program requires any specific application). Be sure to complete the appropriate application by the application deadline.

Will I earn SFA credit when I go on a SFA Study Abroad Program?

Yes! You will earn graded SFA credit when you participate in a SFA Faculty-led Study Abroad Program. For more information on what credit you will earn for a specific study abroad program, please contact the Study Abroad Coordinator at maxitie@sfasu.edu.

Isn't Study Abroad Expensive?

Through careful planning and direct exchange arrangements in many cases, SFA programs are among the most affordable you can find - some costing less than comparable time on campus.

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Can I use scholarships and/or financial aid to study abroad?

YES! Scholarships are available, and your financial aid applies to most approved study abroad programs. Since SFA study abroad programs require that you are enrolled at the University, your financial aid can be assessed while you study abroad. Stop by the OIP to pick up your applications now.

Can I study abroad if I'm a freshman?

No. Study Abroad programs are for those at sophomore, junior, or senior year status. But freshman should start planning now by getting required courses out of the way. This will allow greater freedom when choosing a program for the next year.

When should I study abroad?

Study abroad can be arranged anytime after your freshmen year.

When should I start planning to study abroad?

NOW! It's never too early to start planning. Ideally a year in advance of your departure allows sufficient time for thorough planning and preparation. However, applying early in the semester proceeding your departure is absolutely essential.

Will studying abroad delay my graduation?

Not unless you are careless. Plan ahead and schedule courses - either in your major, your minor, or as electives - that are acceptable by your academic advisor as valid prerequisites for graduation.

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I just don't have room in my schedule to study abroad. Won't study abroad keep me from graduating on time?

With careful planning, study abroad can fit right into your degree program so that your graduation isn't delayed. We can arrange programs that last just a few weeks in the summer, a semester, or for an entire year. Study abroad is flexible and we'll work around your schedule. You should plan in the freshman year and go abroad ideally in your sophomore year. So, when you come back, you still have immense time at hand to arrange and satisfy your graduation requirements.

My major isn't' really 'International'. What could I study abroad?

You don't need to have an international major to study abroad. You can study anything within your degree plan.

Can I study abroad in my major?

YES! Study abroad programs are developed in collaboration with academic departments, faculty, and foreign institutions to ensure that credits will apply toward degree requirements. Course work is available in all majors. In addition, you can take part in an internship or independent research group as well.

Don't I have to be an 'A' student to study abroad?

No, but you do need to be academically ready to study overseas. Generally a GPA of 2.5 is required. However, exceptions are sometimes made based on extenuating circumstances. Your ranking as a candidate for a program will be determined largely by your background preparation. For all programs, you need to be in good academic and disciplinary standing at SFA. You should display maturity and responsibility in social conduct, and be healthy physically and emotionally.

If you are physically challenged, have a documented learning disability, or have a medical condition that requires treatment, your Study Abroad Coordinator will work with you to make special arrangements as may be needed.

I don't speak a foreign language. Can I still study abroad?

Yes! There are exchange programs in many countries where English is the native language. We also have programs in countries where your courses will be taught in English even if it isn't the native language. Sometimes the courses are also taught in native languages. Then of course, we do recommend that you enroll for a class in the host country language either before leaving or while abroad as it will undoubtedly be useful to you and/or enhance the enjoyment of your program.

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Isn't it going to be difficult?

Study abroad is challenging but we will provide an orientation program before your departure, introduce you to survival techniques abroad, give you information about getting your passport and visa, obtaining help when in need and much more.

Do I need a passport?

Yes! All students who study abroad will need a valid passport. For some countries, you will also need a valid visa.

I have never been out of the United States before. How will the OIP help me prepare to go overseas?

The OIP provides pre-departure orientation sessions for all students who study abroad on SFA programs. Basic topics discussed at orientations include: information on how to obtain a passport, health issues overseas, help overseas, travel to the study abroad site as well as history and cultural aspects of the country you are visiting. And of course, you are welcome to schedule individual appointments with the Study Abroad Coordinator.

How do I know if the study abroad program I've selected is good?

You have several ways of determining the quality of a study abroad program. Although the advisors in the OIP are familiar with many study abroad programs, it is impossible to know them all. But we would get you in touch with students and professors who would be willing to talk to you about their experience with the program. Talking to the people in the OIP and/or the program director might also help you to get a feel for the people who will be running your program. All said and done, still be aware that what people say may not be what you want out of your study abroad experience. The most important thing about a study abroad program is that it fits your needs. You are the ultimate judge for your future.

Where should I have my study abroad transcript sent?

When your program is complete, you should have your transcript sent to the OIP office at SFA. OIP will then forward the transcript to the Undergraduate Admissions Office.

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Who is eligible to apply for study abroad?

If you are a college-aged student who has completed high school and enrolled at SFA in at least your sophomore year, then you are eligible to apply. There are no academic prerequisites for enrollment, and you can be majoring or planning to major in any subject.

What is the application deadline?

It varies from provider to provider. If the program is offered by a third party provider students should check with them to see what deadlines are in place. Program deadlines for SFA faculty led programs are October 15 for spring break programs and December 1 for summer programs. These can be extended if space permits so please check with the OIP for a particular program you are looking in to.

How competitive is the admissions process?

While the spaces available for each session are limited, most students who apply early are accepted. Sessions do fill up, but from time to time the universities have cancellations and they are able to admit students at the last minute. But it is always safe to be an early bird.

Where do the students live?

There are various kinds of housing arrangements that can be made from university housing to private host family housing. With third party programs students tend to stay in dorm style rooms. On SFA faculty led programs it depends on the availability. We try to arrange for local university arrangements, but students have stayed in reputable hotels or apartments as well.

Will studying abroad help my chances of finding a job?

As American businesses expand overseas, the need for culturally adept employees, those who know about and are able to work across cultural boundaries, is increasing. Rapidly expanding technology and transportation connect all corners of the globe and to remain competitive among your peers from overseas, you need to be able to negotiate within a worldwide context. You can also strengthen your foreign language ability, increase your knowledge of a particular discipline, and enhance your classroom learning with experiential learning. Better still, through an overseas experience, you can gain a more global perspective that my allow you to see the rest of "the world with new eyes." If you take the time to include study abroad as part of your education, you may also reap the benefits of cross-cultural living within the boundaries of the U.S. It can help you succeed in our exceedingly multicultural American society. Many students describe study abroad as a life changing experience. It affects the way they relate to their own culture as well as to the rest of the world. Why not you?

At the most personal level, students return from studying abroad with an increased self-confidence, self-awareness, maturity, tolerance, and understanding of their place in the world. The comment we hear most often from returning students is that they have gained an entirely new perspective of who they are, how others see them, and how they see the world. Students who have studied abroad have a distinct advantage academically and in the job market. So, whether you are headed for graduate school or a professional job, you will stand out among the applicants. Having international experience shows graduate school admissions staff and potential employers that you have the skills to interact with people from other cultures and that you are independent, flexible, and adaptable. It also indicates that you have an understanding of world affairs and that you have gained the ability to view situations from multiple perspectives.

Other benefits obtained from spending a semester or year abroad may include:

Last but not least, nothing jumps off a resume quite like time spent overseas. As the economy of the United States becomes increasingly enmeshed with the economies of other nations, employers are becoming desperate for employees with international perspectives. So as you're benefiting from cultural immersion at a prestigious foreign university, you're automatically increasing your employment desirability far beyond that of your peers back home.

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Will I lose my financial aid if I take a semester to study abroad?

No. Typically, you remain enrolled as a full-time student at your home school while studying abroad, so you won't loose your financial aid eligibility. Moreover, at many schools financial aid can be directly applied to study abroad programs (and depending on where you plan to study, it can actually be cheaper to study overseas).

What's included in the program fee?

The good news is that we have not seen the price of study abroad programs increase the way tuition has at most U.S. schools. The fees for third party providers typically include tuition, orientation, cultural activities, local excursions and field trips, as well as medical and emergency insurance and services. Many program fees also include room and board and visa fees. Contact the individual provider for more details. You can also contact the Study Abroad Coordinator for more information on this and estimated additional costs.

How safe is it to study abroad?

Personal safety issues are entirely dependent on where you choose to study and how you use your common sense. In many instances, the area where you'll be studying may actually be safer than your home university in the United States.

In general, as you might expect, studying in urban areas often requires that you take more safety precautions than studying in rural areas. The U.S. State Department offers free information on safety services for Americans overseas on their website here. And for country-specific safety information, visit here.

For health related safety information, including which vaccines are required for visiting specific countries, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) here.

Where can I find reliable information of the countries that I'm considering?

Visit the comprehensive and easily searchable archives of the U.S. State Department here.

Where can I find reliable health information to prepare for international travel?

For health related safety information, including which vaccines are required for visiting specific countries, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) here.

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How do I get a passport?

The easiest way to get a passport is to complete an application form available at many federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. Read online about the easy way to apply for a U.S. Passport here.

For all passport services, visit the U.S. State Department's website here.

The application for a DSP-11 passport (the one you need if you've never had a passport before) can be downloaded online here.

Will I need an entry visa?

This depends on where you're planning to go overseas. Included with your acceptance letter, SFA sends you a lot of information concerning visa application procedures. If you're curious before then, the easiest way to find out entry visa requirements is by checking the website of the U.S. State Department's Bureau of Consular Affairs here. Scroll down to see country specific requirements.

Don't worry about visa requirements until you have been accepted to a program - just make sure that you have a passport so that you can quickly apply for a visa once you have been accepted. Applying for a visa can be a lengthy process. Allow enough time for processing your visa application, especially if you are applying by mail. Most foreign consular representatives are located in big cities, and in many instances, travelers may be required to obtain visas from the consular office in their area of residence. Processing and visa fees vary, and most fees may not be refundable, consult the embassy or consulate of the country you plan to visit for specific details.

Where can I find tips for travelers?

The U.S. State Department offers a multitude of free tips for travelers and travel publications on their website here.

What will the academic environment be like?

Wherever possible, SFA encourages study in universities abroad alongside regular degree candidates from the host country. SFA also advocates study abroad which enables you to become competent in another language; that is, to experience daily life, to develop social relationships, and to accomplish formal course work in that language.

Generally speaking, SFA does not approve credit for study abroad in non-university settings or those that do not provide for a high degree of cultural integration and academics.

How many courses must I take and how are they graded?

You are required to carry a full-time course load based on the semester of study. If your course load pushes you beyond the maximum allowed you can contact your academic department to request an overload authorization.

Grades earned during study abroad are recorded on your SFA transcript as transfer credit and are not calculated into your cumulative grade point average.

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What about housing when I return?

Fall study abroad students need to find a spring study abroad student with whom to "switch" (you have the same housing arrangements but live there during opposite semesters.) Likewise, you have to switch or fix partners or apartments beforehand, before you go. If you fail to do this, we may try to help you to find accommodations when you come back, but nothing can be guaranteed at the time of your departure. If you are unable to find someone with whom to switch, please notify the Office of Residential Life.

Will I be enrolled in classes with other U.S. students?

Probably, yes! More and more U.S. students are studying abroad, but there are only one or two SFA students that will be attending your host university at the same time you do.

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