Planning
It's never too early to begin researching possible education abroad programs. Students may begin meeting with their academic advisors up to a year in advance in order to discuss degree progress, course equivalencies, and other academic matters. Some majors have particular course requirements that can only be fulfilled during a particular semester, so advanced planning is crucial. Taking courses to fulfill the language requirement in the first few semesters of study will open up even more education abroad options
Application Process
Students should submit their application for education abroad the semester before they intend to study abroad, although planning should begin much farther in advance. The application process requires several steps, therefore students are encouraged to begin as soon as possible and allow themselves plenty of time in order gather the necessary forms, signatures, and supporting documentation.
Passports
All participants must have a signed passport that will remain valid for at least six months after the program end
date. All participants should make at least three extra copies of the identification page of the passport. One
should be left at home with a parent and the others brought overseas. Instructions for how to apply for a passport are available from the U.S. Department of State. The processing time after applying for a passport is usually 4-6 weeks. Expedited service of 2-3 weeks is also available for an additional charge.
Passport Application Instructions
Visas
Most host countries will require a visa for a semester or academic year program, as the length of the term
abroad is shorter than the time granted on a visitor or tourist visa. Students will be informed after acceptance to a program if it is necessary to acquire a visa. Any student requiring a visa should apply for one as soon as possible after acceptance. Additional fees may be charged by the consulate of each country to apply for a visa. These charges are not included in the program fee. Some visa applications may require additional documentation such as a police clearance letter and financial guarantee.
CUA Rome Program Visa Instructions
Power of Attorney
Setting up a power of attorney (POA) can be very helpful for students who have a commercial loan that requires a signature when checks arrive. By setting up a power of attorney, students can have a trusted person in the US sign on their behalf. POA can be useful if any other legal or billing situations arise while they are abroad.
Air Travel
The purchase of round-trip airline tickets is the responsibility of the student. The cost of the tickets are not included in the program fee. Students are expected to make travel arrangements that will ensure their arrival and departure on the dates suggested by each program. Students should submit their travel itinerary information to CUAbroad with the Travel Itinerary Form (in the application system) as soon as possible before departure.
Pre-Departure Orientations
All students are required to attend two pre-departure orientations the semester before beginning the education abroad program. The general pre-departure orientation provides students with information on health, safety, and credit transfer. Representatives from various campus offices, including housing, health services, and public safety, are also on hand in order to ensure a smooth transition for students. It also gives students an opportunity to hear from their peers who have already completed an education abroad program. Most of the information provided at this orientation is available online, including the student handbook and presentation notes. The program-specific pre-departure orientation provides individualized and detailed information on the specific, country, city, and educational institution that the student will be attending.
Packing