International Students

Does a domestic or international program make more sense for your academic and career goals?  How long do you want to be abroad/away?  How will your abroad/away experience fit into your four-year plan?

What documents will you need to be able to successfully study abroad/away and do you have access to those documents (e.g., a visa)?  What personal or college information or materials (e.g., a birth certificate) will you need to apply for these documents? Do you have access to those materials?  Are there any extra costs associated with documents needed to obtain a visa?  It may be complicated or difficult to gain travel documents for a program that includes multiple countries or multiple entries to one country. What is the itinerary of your proposed program?

Depending on your citizenship, does your proposed country of study have diplomatic relationships with your country of citizenship that may help or hinder your chance of approval for a visa?

Your financial aid package (including scholarships and grants – with the exception of work study while abroad/away) will be applied to your study abroad/away program.

If you are living with a host family, have they hosted a student who is not from the US in the past?  If not, will this be an issue for them – or for you?

Traveling or studying abroad is an exciting and sometimes challenging time, especially, if you are the first in your family to do it.  Be sure to find people on and off campus who support your decision. Talk with other students about their experience abroad/away – what are their tips, insights, and advice?  Do your research!  The more you know about your academic program and the host community, the more you can prepare and share with your support networks.

Think about the history and relations of your own country with the host community, this may make your experience abroad different from other students in the program. Consider whether that would be an issue for you or not. Think about the history and relations of your own country with the host community, this may make your experience abroad different from other students in the program. Consider whether that would be an issue for you or not.

Student visa requirements vary by country based on the country of citizenship of each individual.  While U.S. citizens do not require a visa for some countries, that requirement may be different for international students. The Smith Center program budget sheets only list a cost for visas when required for U.S. citizen, therefore the visa cost for you may be different from what has been included in the published Smith Center budget.  In the case that you require a visa when one is not required for U.S. citizens or the cost of a visa for persons of your nationality is different from that of U.S. citizens, Financial Aid may be able to reevaluate your scholarship/aid package for participating in the program.

It is important for you to research the visa requirement for individuals of your nationality well in advance and before choosing a program. Sometimes, you may need to apply for “transit visas” to pass through countries on the way to your final destination. A good place to start this research would be your home country embassy’s  or consulate’s  website.

U.S. Student Visa (F-1)

As a F1 international student interested in studying abroad you should meet with the Assistant Director For International Student Engagement regarding your plans to study abroad and compliance with your U.S. student visa status. During this meeting, you and the Assistant Director For International Student Engagement will address some important topics that you will need to keep in mind when choosing a study abroad/away program. For example, you will determine when and for how long you can study abroad and remain in compliance with your U.S. student visa status.