Sticking to the Calendar When Planning Your Studies Abroad

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I've designed two study abroad calendars to help you get on track and stay on the right path when planning a study abroad adventure. There's lots to pay attention to, and some events are time sensitive. You don't want to let time slip away from you and miss your chance to go abroad! Nor should you save everything until the last minute because that is just too overwhelming. And remember that it's important to adhere to your study abroad office's deadlines for paperwork.

Calendar I: Fall semester/full-year abroad

During the fall semester a year before you plan to depart on your studies abroad, start following the month-by-month task instructions for planning, applying for, and being accepted into a study abroad program that I provide in the following section. This first calendar works for both fall semester study abroad candidates and those of you going for a full year, because in most cases, both groups (fall semester and full year) are leaving at the same time for their abroad experience: September!

September and October

The following is a list of things to do soon after you arrive at school in the fall:

• Visit the study abroad office.
• Research program options using the study abroad library, college library, or Internet.
• Construct a list of potential programs.
• Attend any study abroad fairs or informational meetings your home university offers on studying abroad.

November

When November rolls around, be sure to do the following:

• Talk to other students who've studied abroad, especially those who've studied in the country or program in which you want to study.
• Narrow down your study abroad program choices.
• Request applications, specifying when you intend to study abroad.
• Discuss study abroad plans with an academic adviser.

December

Finish up your semester with a few more preparations:

• Begin collecting and completing any paperwork your home university requires of students planning to go abroad. Your host university will also require paperwork such as transcripts and letters of recommendation.
• When planning coursework at your home university for spring semester, take into account your potential study abroad plans.

January and February

After a relaxing winter break, it's time to hop back on the task of planning your study abroad program for next year. The following list describes things you need to do before the spring semester gets too far underway:

• Complete applications, send them in along with any required paperwork, and await decisions.
• Provide your school and advisers with a tentative idea of when you'll be departing (at the end of this semester or beginning of next school year) for an experience abroad. You may have to file paperwork that you've been collecting from your home university right away to officially declare that you may be attending school abroad next semester.

March and April

The following events/tasks pop up during the middle of the spring semester:

• Receive notice of admission from study abroad programs.
• Accept or decline abroad offers of admission.
• Promptly complete and return any housing, course preference, or other forms the study abroad program sends to you.

May

Before you leave school for the summer, be sure to take care of the following: