I'm accepted, now what?
Read through the PSU Study Abroad Pre-Departure Guide.
There are several items to be taken care of once you have been accepted. You will work with the Study Abroad Coordinator to assure that you have completed all of them and will have a smooth transition in and out of your study abroad program.
These steps are for all study abroad participants no matter the program:
- Submit Step 2: Emergency Contact Information:
Once you have been accepted into the program, you must provide 2 emergency contacts. - PSU Waiver:
Each participant must sign a PSU Waiver. Download the waiver that best describes you. There is a waiver for PSU students, students from another university, and for the public at large (non-students). Please read over the waiver, sign and date it. The waiver should also be returned to the faculty leader. - PSU Travel Stipend Agreement:
Each participant in PSU Study Abroad programs that is receiving a Study Abroad Stipend must complete and return this form to the faculty leader or study abroad coordinator.The agreement explainswhat PSU expects of stipend recipients upon return from their study abroad program. - Acquire International Insurance:
Each participant in PSU Study Abroad porgrams is required to be covered by international health insurance. The benfits that must be covered internationall y are medical expenses, medical evacuation, and repatriation. A copy of your domestic insurance card is not sufficient to waive this requirement. You must provide a description of coverage from your insurance company that outlines that you have the appropriate coverage.
International Insurance coverage provided by HTH Worldwide can be purchased through the International Programs & Services Office (235-4680). Please contact the office for more information. - Complete the Pre-travel Health Check:
All students are required to visit a health care provider before participating in a study abroad program. PSU Student Health Service provides a travel health consult that fulfills this requirement. Make an appointment online for a Pre-travel Health Consult at Student Health Services. The cost is $25.00 for students, faculty, and staff.
Students also have the choice of fulfilling this requirement with their home physician who must assure the student is healthy for travel. Also in this visit, the health provider should review that you have the appropriate vaccinations and information to be healthy in the country of your destination. Students must bring a letter from the health provider stating they have visited and the student is healthy for travel to their faculty leader or the study abroad coordinator. - Enroll:
All participants must be enrolled in the appropriate course(s) for their study abroad program. Depending on the type of program this process will be different. For questions on how to enroll for study abroad contact the study abroad coordinator. - Meet with Financial Assistance:
All students must meet with the Financial Assistance Counselor that advises on aid for study abroad programs. If you would like to apply for aid to pay for the program, you will go through the process of applying for aid at this or these visit(s). If you are not planning to use aid for your program, you and the financial assistance counselor will sign the budget form confirming this fact. A copy of the signed budget must be turned into your faculty leader or the study abroad coordinator. - Attend the Study Abroad Pre-Departure Meeting:
In this meeting, the Study Abroad Coordinator and other staff from PSU will cover pertinent topics to your success abroad like preparation for departure, health and safety abroad, cultural adaptation, money matters abroad, etc. Parents are welcome to attend this meeting. Much of the information that will be covered can be found in the PSU Study Abroad Pre-Departure Guide.
Steps specific to Group Programs
You will most likely have one to three meetings with your Faculty Leader in order to prepare your group for the study abroad experience and to learn about the city and country of your destination.
You will work with your Faculty Leader to apply for Visa’s which may be needed to enter certain countries.
Steps specific to Individual Programs
You will work with the Study Abroad Coordinator and host institution to assure that you have completed all the steps the host institution requires.
Apply to Study Abroad program:
Many individual study abroad programs require an application to the program in addition to the application to the PSU Study Abroad Program. Once you have applied and been accepted to the program, bring a copy of your acceptance letter to the study abroad coordinator.
Course Credit Transfer Process:
You will work with your advisor and Department Chairs to approve courses that you will take abroad and how they will transfer back to PSU. This document is submitted to the Registrar's office so they know how to input your transcript from abroad when it comes at the end of the summer or semester program. You must have this form completed before meeting with Financial Assistance.
Acquire International Student ID Card (ISIC):
You will purchase an ISIC card with serves as an ID abroad and also can be used to get discounts at museums, stores, restaurants, and more abroad. It also provides supplemental insurance. The ISIC Card can be purchased in the Office of International Programs and Services at PSU. It costs $22.00. You must supply your own ID picture.
Passport and VISA:
Passports should be acquired as early as possible. If study abroad is just an idea in your mind, it is a good idea to apply for a passport. The Study Abroad Coordinator will help you find out if you need a Visa and tell you how to find the information you need to be able to apply. Your direct questions about the Visa process should be directed to the Consulate of the country of your destination.