Get Started

Study Abroad: Getting Started

• Welcome!
• Step 1: Picking Your Program
• Step 2: Applying
• Step 3: Preparing to Study Abroad
• Step 4: Studying Abroad
• Step 5: Re-Entry

Welcome!

Welcome to the Emmanuel College Office of International Programs' 'Getting Started' page! The fact that you're here indicates your interest in studying abroad during your time here at Emmanuel. This page exists to help you get a sense of the process that you will go through in order to do so.

Remember: The first step is to visit the OIP. You cannot study abroad without the knowledge and consent of the College as represented by its Office of International Programs. Contact us with questions or concerns about study abroad via e-mail or drop by the office and make an appointment. Our door is always open!

Step 1: Picking Your Program

Visit the OIP

Visit the OIP in the Cardinal Cushing Library, Mezzanine Level. By meeting with OIP staff members you can learn more about what programs are available to you. The OIP can also arrange for you to meet study abroad alumni. To help us learn more about what your academic interests are and where you would like to study, please print out and complete the Initial Interest Form and bring it in with you when you visit us.

Research programs online.

A couple of good web sites are: Studyabroad.com and IIEPassport.org. Use the Students' Guide to Navigating a Provider's Web Site to help you. As you look at providers, start thinking of questions that you might want to ask them. Use our Student Questions for Providers Guide for examples of questions to ask.

Attend a study abroad fair.

Every semester the Colleges of the Fenway host a study abroad fair where twenty providers are invited to meet and speak with students about their programs. This is a wonderful opportunity to learn more about the programs you are interested in! Emmanuel College will host the 2008 study abroad fair on Wednesday, September 24 in the Jean Yawkey Center.

Contact a study abroad alum!

The best way to learn about a program is to speak with a student who participated in it. Oftentimes student-to-student communication is extremely helpful in making an informed decision about a provider. Contact the OIP to learn more.

Step 2: Applying

Meet with OIP staff.

Whether you have identified one program or several that interest you, you should meet with the OIP staff to make sure the programs are of high quality and will offer you a good opportunity to learn about the host country. You may visit the OIP as many times as you wish. You with speak with either:

Tom Millington, Director of International Programs
E-mail: millith@emmanuel.edu
or
Mary Weber, International Student and Study Abroad Advisor
E-mail: weberma@emmanuel.edu

Meet with your major or academic advisor.

It is a very good idea to keep your major advisor in the loop. If you have not declared a major yet, consult with your academic advisor. As you meet with your advisor, you should decide what type of credit you would like to transfer in from your study abroad experience. Be sure to have your Four Year Plan with you. Do you want your credit to count toward your major, as a general requirement, or as a free elective? Use the Potential Courses and Credits Abroad sheet to help you map out what courses you intend to enroll in while abroad.

Program Pre-Approval

You will need to complete the Study Abroad Approval Form. The chair of your major/minor department will pre-approve any classes for your major. The OIP will pre-approve any classes for your general education requirements and free electives. Be prepared! You will need to have the course descriptions for every class you want to take abroad in order to get it pre-approved for academic credit.

Applying

Applying to a study abroad program is similar to applying to a college. You will be asked to submit your contact information, write an essay, include references from professors, include a transcript, obtain written approval from the Director of International Programs at Emmanuel College, and send in an application fee. The application fee varies for each program, but it is usually between $50 and $100. Use the Study Abroad Application Tips document as a reference guide. If you do not already have a passport, apply for one now. It can take as long as a month to receive one and some providers will ask you for your passport number. To apply for or renew your passport, visit the U.S. Department of State web site.

Congratulations on your acceptance!

Once you are accepted into a program, inform the OIP so that we know you have been accepted to study abroad. We will need a copy of the acceptance for your files. The provider will send you information on how to obtain your student visa and in some cases will offer you a travel option. Once you have your student visa send a photocopy of it and a copy of your flight itinerary to the OIP.

Prepare for your return to campus.

At this point you are fully concentrated on your semester abroad. We don't blame you! However, the OIP strongly recommends that you prepare for the semester when you return to campus. Be sure to consult with the Office of Residence Life and the Office of the Registrar to make sure you know what needs to be done regarding arranging your room and courses for the semester you return to campus.

Step 3: Preparing to Study Abroad

Prepare for your trip.

As with all good things, preparation is key. The OIP recommends that you visit the following sites before you leave the country:

• Travel Registration: This site will allow you to register your trip (for free) with the U.S. State Department so that it can assist you in case of an emergency.
• Students Abroad: Read this website carefully. It contains very important information about what you should do before you leave the country, how to avoid complications/difficulties while abroad, and what to do in the case of an emergency.

Research the country where you will be studying.

Know who the president or prime minister is, what some of the major issues are, greetings/traditions, the 'dos and don'ts,' etc. A good place to start is The Economist and the CIA's The World Factbook. The OIP library has excellent resources to help you with your research.

Attend the Study Abroad Pre-Departure Information Session.

The OIP prepares a mandatory Pre-Departure session each semester for study abroad students. Be sure to attend for crucial information.

Step 4: Studying Abroad

You are now studying abroad!

Enjoy learning about the country and the language. Past students have kept journals, blogged or taken photographs during their time abroad. These records have been resources, not only for the preservation of memories, but for publication and contests. Glimpse magazine publishes articles and photos submitted by students abroad. If you would like to submit something, visit the Glimpse web site.

Keep in touch.

Be sure to stay in touch with your advisor and the OIP. We can help in the event that you encounter any difficulties, i.e. course registration, etc.

Getting ready for the next semester.

The OIP will contact you about housing and course registration for the semester you return. Be sure to check First Class and your e-mail regularly.

Step 5: Re-Entry

Welcome Back!

Now that you are back on campus you will need some time to process your experience and perhaps share it with others. The OIP will offer returning students an opportunity to reflect on their experiences.

What next?

Hopefully, you have had such a wonderful time abroad, you would like to know how you might return to work, volunteer, or study. Feel free to stop by the office to learn about options and possible careers in the field of international education.

Would you like to help recruit future students?

If you are interested in speaking to students who are considering studying abroad, we would love to hear from you! Oftentimes, student-to-student communication goes a long way to helping a curious student make the decision to study abroad. Stop by the OIP to let us know of your interest!