Study Abroad--Planning

The Four Main Steps to Study Abroad

Step 1: Explore Your Options
1. You've already taken the first step: This site gives you an overview of everything you will need to know. Read on.

2. Make sure you visit the Career Center and use the resources of the Study Abroad Library. It contains extensive program materials and a variety of other information on overseas study, work, and travel, and is constantly updated.

3. Come to a "Steps to Study Abroad" meeting, scheduled several times each semester, for an overview of how it all works and how to get started. Dates will be listed on this Web-site.

4. Attend the Study Abroad Fair held every fall on campus; the Fall 2007 fair will be widely publicized when the time comes. Representatives of many programs will be present to answer your questions. Throughout the year, various program representatives will be visiting the campus to talk with students interested in their programs. Keep your eyes open for announcements of these visits.

5. Consult the Approved Program List. This represents Amherst College institutional forethought, based on the experience of previous students and faculty judgment. Respect the seasoned wisdom of these many choices. From it, choose two or three programs to which you would like to apply. Take a look at the files of Program Evaluations, on the shelves of the Study Abroad Library, to see what past participants have had to say about the programs in which you are interested.

6. Think early about financing your study abroad experience. If you qualify for financial aid on campus, you automatically qualify for financial aid to support overseas study-- up to Amherst College costs for the year or semester. If you do not qualify for College financial assistance, you will pay the program or overseas institution directly, rather than paying Amherst College. Overall study abroad expenses will vary from less to slightly more than Amherst College costs.

7. If you are interested in a program not on the Approved List, there is a petition process. To discuss how and why this program best serves your academic/career interests and needs and does not duplicate Approved List programs, make an appointment with your faculty advisor and with the Study Abroad Advisor. Since the petitioning process is long, begin early. The burden of proof falls on your shoulders. Decisions are made by the Faculty Committee on Study Abroad.

8. Make and appointmement with your academic advisor to discuss how studying abroad relates to your domestic course work and requirements for the major.

9. At any point in the process, make an appointment with the Study Abroad Advisor to talk over program opportunties.

Step 2: Formally Declare Your Intentions to Study Abroad by the Spring Deadlines and Begin the Process of Applying to One or More Programs.

1. Submit the Declaration of Intent to Study Abroad Form online. Remember, you must declare at least one major before submitting this form--if you fail to do so, the Career Center cannot process your form. You are also asked to meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss your specific plans, especially as they relate to receiving credit in your academic major(s).

Declaration of Intent to Study Abroad Form Deadlines ( NO exceptions ):

--SATURDAY, MARCH 15, 2008 if you plan to study abroad in Fall 2008 or Year 2008-2009;
--TUESDAY, APRIL 15, 2008 if you plan to study abroad in Spring 2009

While students intending to study abroad for the academic year may return after the Fall semester, College policy does not permit students overseas to extend the Fall semester into the full academic year.

2. If you qualify for Amherst College financial aid, as soon as you know the program(s) to which you are applying, make an appointment with Kate Gentile, Associate Dean of Financial Aid, in the Financial Aid Office. With cost information about the program(s), a new financial aid package will be drawn up.

3. Apply to the program(s) you have chosen. Your application(s) will normally have to be accompanied by:

--a copy of your Amherst College Transcript
--one or more letters of recommendation from faculty
--indication of Amherst College approval, usually via a form signed by the Study Abroad Advisor

Order the Transcript from the Registrar's Office, to be sent to the program sponsor. Ask faculty familiar with your work and abilities, well in advance of deadlines, to write letters on your behalf (often done on forms furnished by the program and to be sent to the program). Bring forms asking for Amherst College approval to Linda Serrell in the Career Center, to be reviewed, signed, and sent to the program by the Study Abroad Advisor.

The admissions process can be lengthy. If you are accepted by more than one program, you will have to make your final choice, letting us know which program you have chosen--see Step 3 below.

Step 3: Confirm Your Plans to Study Abroad
1. As soon as you know for certain which study abroad program you will be attending, print out and take to your advisor the Confirmation of Study Abroad Plans and the Waiver of Liability, read them carefully and submit them both together to Linda Serrell in the Career Center, making sure your advisor has signed off on the Confirmation.

If you fail to hand in this form, you will not be cleared to study abroad and will be billed for the next semester Amherst College tuition. Any major changes in your plans, especially if you intend to receive credit in your major, should be discussed with your academic advisor.

Confirmation of Study Abroad Plans and Waiver of Liability deadlines:
For Fall 2008 and Full Year 2008-2009 the deadline is Thursday, May 1, 2008.

2. If you decide not to study abroad, it is also imperative that you inform the Study Abroad Advisor as soon as you have made this decision. Otherwise, it will be assumed that you continue to intend to be away, which affects housing, registration, and other matters.

Step 4: Prepare to Depart
Toward the end of the semester before your departure--see Calendar--you are required to attend the Pre-Departure Orientation session. Amherst College will make available its Student Handbook on Studying Abroad at that session. Read it carefully. In addition, your program sponsor or the overseas institution is likely to send you a variety of pre-departure materials, give you advice on passports, visas, travel, accommodations, and the like.