4-Step Process
Students who are interested in studying abroad must follow the 4-step process of researching options, petitioning to study abroad, applying to an approved program, and preparing for the experience.
Step 1: RESEARCH
Timeline: Freshman Year - Sophomore Year
Planning a successful study abroad experience is always the responsibility of the student. We recommend starting this research process as early as Freshmen year, but definitely starting October of your Sophomore or Junior year.
- SELF-ASSESSMENT GUIDE: (Recommended) Use this guide to gauge your readiness to study abroad. It is your responsibility to understand how studying abroad fits into your personal, career, and academic goals.
- STUDY ABROAD 101: (Recommended) Attend Study Abroad 101 the week prior to Study Abroad Advising Week or review the presentation and download the handouts.
- ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS: (Required) Review SCU's eligibility requirements for studying abroad. You must also fulfill the particular program's minimum requirements including GPA, language proficiency, pre-requisites, etc.
- DECLARE A MAJOR: (Required) Use the official University protocol to declare an undergraduate major. Students will not be approved to apply to a study abroad program unless they have officially declared major and it is verifiable on their ecampus.
- SEARCH PROGRAM OPTIONS: (Required) Review the official list of approved study abroad program locations to find the program in which you qualify (GPA, language, etc) and suitable for you in terms of language of instructions, housing options, cost, etc. Only programs listed on the SCU list of approved programs are open to SCU students.
- REVIEW SCU DEADLINES: (Required) Check the study abroad deadlines to petition and apply to a program.
- REVIEW STUDY ABROAD FEES: (Required) Review Santa Clara's standard study abroad fees which are different from the published fees of our affiliated program providers.
- REVIEW PRE-APPROVED COURSES: (Recommended) Want to know which abroad courses have already been pre-approved by Departments to fulfill SCU's major, minor, core requirements?
- ATTEND STUDY ABROAD WEEK EVENTS: (Recommended) Participate in the events including workshops, information sessions, forums, and one-one-one advising with the visiting program representatives at their tables in Benson.
- TALK TO PEERS: (Recommended) Peer Advisers are the paid student staff at the International Programs Office (WE HAVE MOVED to 755 Franklin Street). They are trained in the University's application procedures and can help answer any questions you might have. You can simply call the office (408-554-6940) or click on the link above for their profiles and email address.
- CONTACT INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADORS: (Recommended) Check out the profiles and suggestions from our volunteers who are willing to talk with you about their specific program. These former study abroad volunteers can answer your questions about their specific program location and not the University's application procedures.
- TALK WITH VID RAATIOR: (Recommended) Call the office (554-6940) to set up an advising appointment with Vid Raatior who advises all prospective study abroad students.
- DISCUSS WITH PARENTS: (Recommended) Use our talking points to discuss your top 3 choices of program locations with your parents especially during the Thanksgiving Break.
- RANK YOUR TOP 3 CHOICES (Required): Be ready to provide your top three choices of program location on the Petition to Study Abroad. Make sure you understand fully that we will try and get you into your top choice, but that you may be cleared for your 2nd or 3rd choices. Then go on to Step #2.
Step 2: PETITION
Timeline: November - December 4, 2009
Only Sophomores and Juniors who qualify to study abroad can petition to study abroad. Do NOT petition if you have not thoroughly researched your options, qualifications, fees, etc.
- PETITION TO STUDY ABROAD FORM: (Required) All students who wish to study abroad in the 2010-2011 academic year (Summer 2010, Fall 2010, Winter 2011, and Spring 2011) are required to complete the appropriate online form no later than the last Friday of the Fall term (Updates - 2/23/2010 - We are re-opening the petitioning process for a limited number of program options for the Fall 2010 and all summer options. Interested students are required to petition for these spots
- Fall 2010: Select programs are open until March 19, 2010. Petition Now
- Summer 2010: All summer options are open until March 19, 2010. Petition Now!
- Winter Quarter 2011: Check back on Sept. 1, 2010 for limited options in Rome, Philippines, London, etc.
- Spring Quarter 2011: Check back on Sept. 1, 2010 for limited options in Japan, Australia, etc.
Helpful Tips:
- Preparing for Step 3 - Apply: When you submit the petition, you will be directed to a page on how to prepare for Step 4. Read that carefully.
- Groupwise: If you have login issues with your groupwise, please contact the IT department.
- Decision on Petition: All decisions will be rendered by email no later than Friday, January 8, 2010.
- Prepare: While awaiting the decision on your petition, please review this webpage on important tips to prepare for the next step.
Step 3: APPLY
Deadlines: January - March
Only students who have completed Step #2 and have been cleared and notified by email may proceed to this Step #3. This is the crucial part when you have to fill out and gather all program-specific application requirements and submit to the International Programs Office for review, approval, and mailing no later than the deadline.
- FILL OUT THE PROGRAM-SPECIFIC ONLINE APPLICATION: (Required) Complete and submit the program-specific Online Application Form. Then download all other required paper forms to complete and turn them all to the International Programs Office by the deadlines. We will mail them to the respective providers.
- OFFICIAL TRANSCRIPT: (Required) Follow the Registrar's Office instructions on requesting your official transcript which is required by all program providers. Be sure to have it sent directly to your local address as you will be required to bring it in the sealed envelope to the International Programs Office with your application packet. You may request your transcript as soon as Fall grades are posted on your ecampus to avoid delays in processing.
- ACADEMIC ADVISOR APPROVAL FORM: (Required) All study abroad applicants are required to get advising and approval of their academic adviser. Download this form, complete the top portion, make an appointment with your assigned academic adviser to discuss your academic plan for the remain years at SCU. Make sure your adviser signs this form before you submit it as a cover sheet with your program-specific application materials.
- DEADLINES (Required) Only complete application materials are accepted at the International Programs Office no later than the following deadlines:
- 1st Week of February: For all Affiliated Program applications
- 1st Week of March: For all SCU-Operated Programs and Direct Exchange Program applications
TIPS: Completed application documents must be submitted in person in one of the following ways:
- Group Apply Sessions: (Preferred) Meet other students applying to the same program by bringing your completed application documents to the session. Check our Workshop Series site to see if your program-location has a Group Apply Session. Limited seating so make sure to RSVP online to secure your spot at the session OR
- By Appointment: Call the office at 408-554-6940 to set up a 15-minute appointment with Vid Raatior to review your application with you OR
- Walk-In: Come to the office during normal office hours 9:00 - 5:00 and the Peer Adviser on duty will review your application with you.We will NOT accept applications that are dropped off at the office.
Step 4: PREPARE
Timeline: February - departure
Now that you have officially applied to the specific study abroad program of your choice, you are ready to prepare for your departure.
- PRE-DEPARTURE CHECKLIST: (Required) A checklist of policies and procedures, responsibilities and forms, you must fulfill once you have submitted your program-specific applications to the International Programs Office. Be sure to have your parents review this document.
- COURSE APPROVAL FORM: (Required) Use this form to get your courses abroad approved to fulfill SCU major, minor, or core requirements. Check the online list of pre-approved coursesand if a course abroad is listed there, then write "pre-approved" in lieu of the Department Chair's signature. If the course abroad is NOT listed as having been pre-approved, then follow the instructions hereon how to get a course abroad approved to fulfill major, minor, or core requirements.
- STUDY ABROAD FEES: (Required) Review Santa Clara's study abroad fees which are different from the published fees of our affiliated program providers.
- WORKSHOP SERIES: (Recommended) Prepare for your time abroad by participating in as many of the study abroad workshops as you want. Check our Upcoming Events page for workshops that might of interest to you.
- MANDATORY PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION: (Required) All students are required to attend the pre-departure orientation on Saturday, April 10, 2010, 9:00 AM - Noon. You will be required to attend the General Session plus your location-specific Group Meetings with returning study abroad students.
- STUDY ABROAD UPDATES: (Required) It is always the student's responsibility to get the latest updates, policies, travel advisories, and information available on the study abroad blog, emails, and at the International Programs Office (755 Franklin Street). Keep checking this site for new updates.
- CONTACT INTERNATIONAL AMBASSADORS: The International Ambassadors are former study abroad students who have volunteered to help prepare students for their time abroad. Check out their profiles and contact them via their listed email.
TIPS: Keep checking the Upcoming Events page for your Group Meetings and be on the lookout for emails from Vidalino Raatior with subject titles of "Study Abroad Updates."
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