Let's Get Started

Exploring Your Options

• Step 1: Review the website
  You are already in the right place, reviewing your options on the Global Engagement Study Abroad website.  There is a lot of information on these pages, but don't let that overwhelm you.  Use the website as a starting point, and then come in to speak with a study abroad advisor.  Keeping these questions in mind as you peruse programs will help guide your search:

   

  • Why do I want to study abroad?  What are my goals?
  • What opportunities exist for my major?
  • What types of courses would I like to take?
  • How long would I like to be overseas?
  • Would I prefer to travel with a group of students or independently?
  • Which countries am I most/least interested in?
  • When would I prefer to study abroad?

   

  If you've decided to participate in a faculty-led or summer program, you might be able skip straight to the application section.  If you're still uncertain or would like to spend a longer time abroad, proceed to Step 2.

• Step 2: Talk with a study abroad advisor

  At some point, you will talk with both your academic advisor and a study abroad advisor about your plans, so it's up to you whom you'd like to start with.  When you come in to talk with a Global Engagement study abroad advisor, you can expect the advisor to  

   

  • review the questions listed in Step 1 above;
  • help you identify your number one priority as it relates to study abroad (e.g., courses offered abroad, cost, location, time frame, etc.);
  • review options available to you based on your academic degree evaluation;
  • discuss prerequisite coursework;
  • explain the study abroad process, from application to re-entry;
  • inform you of upcoming deadlines;
  • refer you to financial aid and scholarship resources;
  • help you make a plan for your next steps.

   

  Your study abroad advisor may refer you to your academic advisor or department chair if deeper academic discussions are necessary.  Alternatively, your study abroad advisor can act as a liaison between you and your academic advisor or department chair.

   

  Depending on your particular needs, or where you are in your college career, you could have several meetings with a study abroad advisor before proceeding to the application process.

• Step 3: Discuss with family and friends

  Before beginning an application, you may want to talk with your family, friends, professors, coaches, etc., to solicit their opinions.  While the final decision is up to you, it can be helpful to have input from a variety of sources that you trust.  And it's always nice to know you have support when planning to study abroad!

The Application Process

• Step 4: Review application deadlines - and apply!

  You've chosen a study abroad - congratulations!  After all of that hard work, you're ready to apply.  Make sure you're aware of all deadlines, meeting times, and other important dates associated with your program.  The application process for short-term programs (faculty-led and summer) can be found on the program page.  

   

  For semester or academic-year exchanges, be sure to ask your study abroad advisor for application details.  These will generally include a copy of your resume, scan of the photo/signature page of your valid passport, and the semester study abroad application form.  Your study abroad advisor will then submit your "nomination" to study at the partner university.  Soon after, the partner university will send you information on how to complete the exchange application on their website.

   

  All students will need to complete the UNF online study abroad application via MyWings for safety and compliance purposes prior to leaving the country.  Be sure you have downloaded and completed any necessary forms that need to be uploaded to this online application.  Contact your study abroad advisor or the UNF International Center for more information.

• Step 5: Apply for scholarships

  This is fairly self-explanatory: apply for scholarships!  Start with the Global Engagement scholarships and funding page, and then branch out from there.  Be creative and extend your search as far as you can.  The more opportunities you apply for, the more likely it is that you will receive financial support.

Before You Go

• Step 6: Register for your study abroad course
  Each UNF study abroad program is associated with a UNF course or courses.  Be sure to add the appropriate course to your UNF schedule for the semester of your study abroad.
• Step 7: Attend all pre-departure meetings

  Faculty-led courses will have class meetings prior to going overseas.  These dates should be listed in your syllabus and/or UNF's online course schedule.  Summer and semester programs will have one or two pre-arranged meetings the semester before travel begins.  The meetings will cover topics such as the following:

   

  • additional health and safety tips
  • behavior abroad and the UNF code of conduct
  • academic expectations
  • estimated costs and financial aid
  • cultural adaptation
  • intercultural simulations
  • discussions with returned study abroad students

   

   Attendance at these pre-departure meetings is mandatory.

• Step 8: Meet with the UNF International Center

  This step may not be necessary if you are participating in a faculty-led program.  But if you are in any other program, you'll need to meet with an International Center representative to discuss procuring a student visa, international health insurance, and anything else that may be necessary for you to meet UNF's travel requirements.  For more information on these items and safety and security abroad, contact the UNF International Center.

While Abroad

• Step 9: Attend your overseas program

  You are abroad!  Make the most of it.  You will truly get out of this experience as much as you put into it.  You are require to attend all classes, cultural and industry visits, lectures, meals, etc., that are part of your program.  As long as you maintain an academic focus and follow recommended safety guidelines along with UNF's code of conduct, you should be in great shape.

• Step 10: Stay in touch with your study abroad advisor
  While you're abroad, life at home continues on.  If you will be out of the country for more than a week, you'll need to check your UNF email daily for important information.  You may need to return documentation to your study abroad advisor in order for your financial aid to be disbursed, or to change a class at the last minute, or to get an override to register for a course for the next semester.  Stay in touch so that you can attend to these issues as they arise.

Upon Return

• Step 11: Attend the re-entry session
  Upon returning from abroad, you will attend a re-entry session in the form of a final class meeting (faculty-led programs), or a half-day orientation (summer/semester programs).  This will give you the chance to turn in any final papers or presentations, reflect on your experience, identify cultural competencies you gained during your study abroad, and learn to incorporate those new skills into your resume and during interviews.  Attendance at a re-entry session is mandatory.
• Step 12: Check your UNF MyWings account
  Once your transcript from abroad has been processed and your UNF degree evaluation has been updated, you will review it to make sure everything is correct. Your study abroad advisor will let you know when your official transcript is ready to be picked up.
• Step 13: Pay it forward

  Now that you have been through the entire study abroad process and are able to articulate what you learned from the experience, you are a great study abroad ambassador!  You can pay it forward by participating in any or all of these events:

   

  • UNF tabling sessions, such as the study abroad fair, National Study Abroad Day Mixer, Week of Welcome, orientations, etc.;
  • pre-departure and re-entry orientations for future study abroad students;
  • classroom presentations or student panels.

   

  Of course, you may also be interested in studying abroad again yourself.  If so, see Step 1 above...