Planning for study abroad

 

Step 2:  What resources are available to explore options?You should PLAN EARLY in order that you find the program that is the right fit both academically and personally. Ø       Attend information sessions and events such as the Study Abroad Fair to meet with program representatives and to discuss options.Ø       Meet with Director of the Office of International & Exchange Study Programs – Students should make an appointment with the Director of the OIESP to discuss options. OIESP office hours are for quick questions and will be posted by the OIESP.Ø       Speak with Returned Study Abroad Participants – The Office of International & Exchange Study Programs can provide you with references of students that have recently studied abroad.  Ø       Meet with your faculty advisor (s) to discuss options in your major/minor and courses you will be required to take at UMass Dartmouth and plan out courses for your remaining course of study.Ø       Plan ahead in order to meet program deadlines for both UMass Dartmouth and for your study abroad program.  Students are responsible for knowing these deadlines and must meet them in order to study abroad. 

Step 3:  Study Abroad Requirements for UMass Dartmouth

Each student will need to check whether they meet the requirements for study abroad approval:Ø       Meet with your International Education Liaison in your College (if relevant) Tony Miraglia (CVPA), Jack Chopoorian (CCB),  your faculty advisor, and the Director in the Office of International & Exchange Study Programs.  Ø       Take prerequisite courses for your study abroad program and any language courses needed prior to study abroad.  Ø       Students must have a minimum overall GPA of 2.5 for semester programs (2.0 for January/summer programs) and meet the GPA requirements of their program(s) of interest.Ø       Students must obtain course approvals from Department Chair and obtain overall program approval from the Office of International & Exchange Study Programs in advance of participation. Ø       Be in good academic and social standing as defined by the Division of Student Affairs at UMass Dartmouth.Ø       Declare your major prior to beginning the application process for study abroad.

Step 4:  Study Abroad Procedures

Students applying for any study abroad program will have a two-part process; 1) Complete UMass Dartmouth application materials 2) Complete program-specific application materialsØ       Students should apply for passports early and should apply no later than two months before the UMass Dartmouth posted application deadlines.   Students are required to submit a copy of their passport along with the UMass application materials.Ø       General UMass Dartmouth Study Abroad Application (Student Information, emergency contacts, health insurance confirmation, etc…)Ø       Official transcripts from UMass Dartmouth and all other colleges where university-level credit has been earned must be requested for study abroad applications.Ø       Program-specific application materials must be completed as outlined by the specific study abroad program.Ø       Students on UMass Dartmouth programs (Australearn, CIS,  Hessen, and Montpellier must submit all materials to Sue Atkins for review & before submitting to the specific program.Ø       Approval of participation must be granted by the Office of International & Exchange Study Programs and DOSA in advance of sending out any study abroad applications.Ø       The receiving overseas partner university or organization will grant final study abroad program acceptance.Ø       Fees:  Students must pay a non-refundable $250 withdrawn on exchange fee for semester programs and a $105 for January/Spring-break/Summer

Step 5: Study Abroad Costs & Deadlines

The cost of study abroad varies depending on UMass Dartmouth’s relationship to a specific program or university as well as other factors such as the region of the world, services that the program provides, and items included in program fees such as housing, visa fees, etc….  Students should discuss program costs with the Offiice of International & Exchange Study Programs and aid resources with the Financial Aid Office.

Deadlines: 

Ø       Academic Year 2009-2010, Fall and Summer 2009 deadline:                                                                         March 2, 2009Ø       Spring 2009 & January 09 Programs                                                                                                                 Oct. 1, 2008Ø       Students must make an appointment with the Director of the OIESP to discuss options. Open office hours are for quick questions and will be posted by the OIESP.Step 6: Predeparture Expectations for all UMass Dartmouth Students – Date to be determined November 2008.Ø       All Students must attend a mandatory General Predeparture Orientation that is conducted by the Office of International & Exchange Study Programs.  Typically these orientations are scheduled for November for Spring & January and April for Fall and summer participation.  In addition, program-specific and/or regional specific informational meetings will be planned.  These dates will be published early so that students can plan accordingly.

 

Last Updated On: 1/23/09