Step 1: Choosing a program
- Once you have decided that you wish to go on a group study abroad experience, you will need to consider things such as your language background, country/region of interest, cultural interests, personal interests, your degree plan, and whether you wish to go for a full semester or a summer semester.
- Browse through our Undergraduate or Graduate "faculty-led" programs
to select a program that appeals to you or stop by our office and talk to one of our Study Abroad Advisors to discuss further options.
- Sign up on the Study Abroad Listserv to be notified about different opportunities to study abroad.
- Go to Informational Meetings and check the Battalion for our advertisements on specific programs.
- Talk with other students who have studied abroad.
Step 2: Applying for a Program
- Now that you have decided upon which program best fits your interests and needs, you will need to either sign up on the Interest List or apply for the program, depending on whether the applications are ready or not. If the applications are not ready, students who sign up on the Interest List will be notified via email once applications become available. Students on the Interest List will be the first group notified of available applications.
- Summer and fall program applications will typically become available in early October. Spring program applications become available in early February (ie., Fall 2004 applications will become available in October 2003).
- Applications through the Study Abroad Program Office can be accessed here. For a listing of programs available for application through Study Abroad, please click here. If you do not notice your program of choice on this list, please be aware that several programs are coordinated through the department or college. Therefore, students interested in these programs should contact the faculty member to apply.
- After you complete your application, you will need to print it out and take it to the faculty leader for their signature. Following this, please turn the application and Terms of Participation in to the Study Abroad Office in Bizzell Hall West, first floor. Program acceptance is based on either a selection committee or application review and approval.
- Following application approval, you will be notified via email of your application status. If approved, a $300 program deposit will then be posted to your University Account. You need to pay this amount at the cashier's office at the Pavilion (Rm. 119) with cash or check. You can also use Discover, MasterCard, or American Express using the online AggiE-Pay. Refer to our Withdrawal Policy for details on refunds for deposits.
Step 3: Funding Your Program
- Once accepted, you will begin the payment process to fund your program. Costs vary for programs, depending on things such as length of program, lodging expenses, number of field trips, food expenses, inflation and exchange rate for host country, whether travel expenses are included, guest lecturers and speakers, lab and experimental equipment, vaccinations, etc.
- For Texas A&M faculty-led programs, students can take advantage of their full financial aid package, including grants, loans, academic scholarships, etc. If you anticipate using your financial aid package, please see a financial aid advisor as soon as possible. Delaying this process could cause you to miss much needed funds for your trip abroad.
- For Texas A&M faculty-led programs, there are typically several scholarships from which to choose. The two scholarships available through Study Abroad are the Study Abroad Fellowship and the International Education Fee Scholarship (IEFS). There are also nationally based scholarships and grants available for studying abroad. A listing of many of these scholarships are available on our Funding page.
- There are also no-interest short-term loans available through the Jordan Institute.
Step 4: Pre-Departure Preparations
After applying for your program, you will need to start preparing for your departure. The semester before your study abroad experience is the main time to conduct your preparations.
Orientation
Program-Specific Orientation
All programs have mandatory orientation meetings during the semester preceding departure. Some meet a couple of times during the semester and some meet an hour every week. Either way, this orientation class is a requirement and failure to attend these meetings could affect your grade or even disqualify you for the program. The coordinator for the program will inform you of this requirement and whether the course will be taken for credit or not.
General Orientation Sessions
These will be offered to all Texas A&M students covering various general topics. These workshops will be conducted by Study Abroad staff and key people in other offices on campus. Attendance at one of these workshops is mandatory as part of your pre-departure preparations.
Please contact Lisa Tauferner in the TAMU Study Abroad Office (845-0544) with any questions.
Language Learning Institute
If you would like to learn or practice the language of your host country prior to departure, the Texas A&M Language Learning Institute, a student-run organization, provides a variety of free foreign language lessons each semester. Class size is typically smaller than university language classes and will provide an excellent base for your trip that you can expand upon. Contacting the Language Learning Institute early is the best way to guarantee availability of teachers and space in classes, so start early if you plan to join a class! Visit http://lli.tamu.edu for more information.
Requirements
At least 3 months prior to your departure, you will need to begin the process of obtaining a passport. Check with the coordinator for your program to find out if a Student Visa is required. If so, this should be sent off at least 2 months prior to departure. Please remember that you will need a valid passport in order to receive a student visa.
Also during this pre-departure semester you will be working with the coordinator of the program on the completion of required forms. Here are some of the things that are required for you to complete:
- Local & Permanent Address form
- Financial Aid Schedule Sheet
- Honors Stipend Request Form (if applicable)
- Payment Schedule
- Medical Consent Form
- Travel Itinerary
- Student Handbook Form
Cultural Preparation
Prepare for the culture of the country you plan to visit. Here are some examples of ways to familiarize yourself with the culture:
- take time to read information on the culture, customs, history, values, etc. of that country;
- seek out an international student at Texas A&M from the same country where you will be studying and meet with that student to learn more about their country. International Student Services may be able to assist you in your search;
- become familiar with the Stages of Cultural Adjustment. Here are some helpful suggestions on How to Avoid Culture Shock: From One Foreigner to Another.
- take a language course either for credit or for non-credit through Texas A&M or another university or simply pick up material to familiarize yourself with some basic words and phrases.
- Cross-Cultural Bloopers
Health & Safety
Step 5: Last Minute Details
You should now be almost ready for your departure. The following are a few things that you will need to remember before you leave:,/p>
- Purchase all textbooks that are required. Please make sure that they are the right books. You can't simply go and exchange books in another country.
- {IMPORTANT} Make sure that your tuition is all paid.
- {IMPORTANT} Make sure that your program fees are all paid.
- Obtain your final letter from the program coordinator which will have the address and phone number of where you will be. Give a copy of this to your parents and/or significant others.
- Make sure your passport is in a safe place and that you don't forget it.
- Read our What to Pack page for information about what you should and should not take with you on your trip. Remember, space is limited and if at all possible, pack lighter instead of heavier because you will not want to be carrying heavy luggage around with you for much of your journey. A good rule of thumb is to pack one full weeks worth of clothing.
- Read our How to Avoid Jetlag
- Read your Program Handbook for valuable information.
Step 6: After Returning to Campus
Re-Entry Shock
*Be sure to turn in your evaluation forms, (program evaluation to Study Abroad and course evaluations to the department from which the course was provided).
*Drop by Study Abroad to let us know how your trip went. Be sure to bring your pictures!
~~~~~~~~~~BON VOYAGE!~~~~~~~~~~
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