Study Abroad Now! From Kansas State University to The University of Hertfordshire, UK

Study Abroad Now… Juan Carlos Mendoza Kansas State University Studied Abroad in The University of Hertfordshire, UK

How to Start?... Decided to expand your horizons Define your objectives Visit the office of study abroad Meet your advisors Apply Find scholarships and financial aid Prepare and get ready for the adventure

Expand your Horizons? Be willing to learn things that you can’t learn at school such as: Solve everyday problems by your self without your parents help Go away from home, learn other language and practice it at the same time Learn how to manage a budget Taste different flavors and learn how to cook food from other countries Get in touch with other cultures Listen to people from other countries and share or discuss their ideas

Define your Objectives At the beginning of the study abroad process, you need to consider your reasons for wanting to study abroad The process of selecting a study abroad program is similar to selecting your major or minor. Begin researching study abroad options by visiting the Office for Study Abroad and seaching progams online at least 6 - 9 months before you go overseas. Set some goals… Prepare academically 2. Even better: discuss your desire to study abroad with your academic advisor as early as your first year on campus so that you can plan accordingly. It is never too early to start this process. 3. Set some goals There are many good study abroad programs, and the best one for you depends on what you want: Why do you want to study abroad? Where do you want to go? Why? When do you want to go and how long would you like to stay? How will study abroad fit into your academic program? Do you want to study in a foreign language? What degree of cultural immersion are you ready for? How much money can you afford to spend? Prioritize those goals. Consider your long-term academic and professional goals, as well as your on-campus degree requirements. Consider whether a short-term program, a semester, or an academic year program will help you achieve them. 4. With proper planning, study abroad can help you prepare for your professional life after college and supplement your education in a variety of ways. You may need to take foreign language or other prerequisite courses for your chosen program, or you may need to fulfill some requirements for your major before you can go abroad.

Study Abroad Office At this point you will start to find a place to accomplish the goals you set. A visit to the Office for Study Abroad will help get you oriented with information and advice. There are several resources to find programs here. Explore Programs Resource Peer Advisers Study Abroad Website Review Your Degree Evaluation Visiting the Resource Room is one of the first steps you need to take in your search for a study abroad program. Here we have shelves of information on studying abroad, internships, work and volunteer programs abroad. We also have computers that are available to look up webpages and/or email other universities' programs. Peer Advisers In the Study Abroad Office, friendly peer advisers (returned study abroad students) are ready to help you understand how to use the materials and to give you some advice to get you started. You can ask them questions about specific programs and travel, as well as any other general questions you might have about the study abroad experience. c) The Office for Study Abroad website contains descriptions of several study abroad programs d) Review Your Degree Evaluation: You have to know where you stand in order to decide where to go next. What requirements for you major(s) have you already completed? Do you still have General Education Requirements to complete? What about elective credit? What requirements will be finished by the time you study abroad? Are there major courses that you must complete while you are overseas in order to graduate on time? A good way to approach this exercise is to draw up academic plans for the next two semesters, listing the classes you would be taking here in Iowa City if you were not going to study abroad. Then, figure out how much “wiggle room” you have: are certain classes in your academic plan pre-requisites for classes you have to take later, or can you substitute some classes here and there?

Meet your Advisor Meeting with your Academic Advisor and Study Abroad advisor is essential to getting yourself abroad. They provide important information and paperwork. Meeting with your advisors and involving them in the program selection and planning processes is essential to your success.  Study abroad advisors will help you find a program and guide you through the processes of preparation and paperwork. Your academic advisor will help make sure the credit you earn abroad will transfer toward your degree requirements. This step of the process may take more than one meeting with each advisor, but the better prepared you are for your meetings, the more efficient and less time-consuming they will be. Source http://international.uiowa.edu/study-abroad/students/prospective/steps/advisors.asp

Apply… Once you have decided on a program, make another appointment with your study abroad advisor for an application, a Credit Approval Form (if you didn't already get one), and help with financial and travel planning. Now is also the ideal time to make sure you have your passport! Credit Approval Form: How will the credit that you earn abroad count toward your degree requirements? The Credit Approval Form, to be completed by you, your study abroad advisor, and your academic advisor, addresses your credit concerns. You will use the Credit Approval Form to list courses you propose to take overseas in order to have them approved. It constitutes a “learning agreement” that specific courses taken abroad (assuming you successfully complete the work!) will satisfy specific major, minor, certificate, or general education program requirements at the UI. The Credit Approval Form is also critical when it comes to applying financial aid to the costs of study abroad. Don’t omit this critical step! Study Abroad Credit Approval forms may be obtained from your study abroad advisor. You will receive this form once you have selected a program. Passport: Do not delay getting your passport. If you have a passport, check the expiration date. Many countries require that a passport be valid for six months beyond the planned date of return to the United States. Applications for U.S. passports are available at the Iowa City main Post Office, or through the US Department of State Passport Services web page. Getting a passport can take a long time (up to 8 weeks), so begin this process early! C) Visas: Not all countries require students to have visas, but many do.  Visas are (typically) stamped into your passport by the host country’s embassy or consulate, and they give you permission to enter and remain in the country for a specific period of time. Information regarding visa requirements for various countries is provided by the U.S. Department of State Consular Services. Your study abroad program will give you additional information on applying for a visa.

Scholarships & Financial Aid In addition to your program application, you should plan to spend some time applying for scholarships and financial aid. Apply for scholarships specialized in your major School Scholarships Study Abroad Scholarships National Scholarships Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship More details about Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program offers grants for U.S. citizen undergraduate students of limited financial means to pursue academic studies abroad. Such international study is intended to better prepare U.S. students to assume significant roles in an increasingly global economy and interdependent world.

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Eligibility: The Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Program is open to all U.S. citizen undergraduates, in good academic standing… The applicant must be receiving a Federal Pell Grant or provide proof that he/she will be receiving a Pell Grant at the time of application or during the term of his/her study abroad.  The applicant is applying to or has been accepted into a study abroad program eligible for credit by the student's accredited institution of higher education in the U.S. The applicant is studying abroad for at least four weeks in one country. Programs going to more than one country are eligible if the student will be studying in one country for at least four consecutive weeks. The applicant is studying abroad in any country except Cuba or a country on the U.S. Department of State's current travel warning list

Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship Apply: The Gilman Scholarship Program has an online application. The online application will be available approximately one-and-a-half to two months prior to the application deadline for each cycle. Spring Cycle Summer Cycle Fall Cycle Note: Start your application as soon as it is available. - There are two essays to write and it could be very time consuming. - You also need to request transcripts from your community college and university (request your transcripts as soon as you can, some times registration offices could take up to two weeks to process and send them) - Give enough time to write your essays and give to someone to revise it for you. That always help!!

Get Prepare! Educate yourself Look into co-curricular and extracurricular opportunities at the university you will be attending and in the city where you will be living. Talk with former participants and students from the country where you are going. Attend your program’s pre-departure orientation meeting and the Tips for Students Traveling Abroad workshop offered each semester. Read up on the history, politics, economics, and culture of the place(s) you’re going. You may find an athletic club or a debate team, or a group of people who want to immerse themselves in the culture of the society around them, going to plays and restaurants together. Or you may want to volunteer your time to humanitarian organizations. Examples: Gym and clubs in Hertfordshire, Galleria Shopping center, etc…

International Students Can’t be Wrong…

Now, you are ready to go!!!

References The University of Iowa http://international.uiowa.edu/study- abroad/students/prospective/steps/default.asp Kansas State University http://www.k-state.edu/studyabroad/ Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship http://www.iie.org/en/Programs/Gilman-Scholarship- Program Study Abroad http://www.studyabroad.com/