STUDENT CHECKLIST FOR SEMESTER
STUDY ABROAD

Attend a SAGE
Information Session
Determine Your
Destination and
Program of Study
Attend a study abroad program and financing information session at one of the Valencia campuses: http://valenciacollege.edu/international/studyabroad/students/informationsessions.cfm
Find a Program
Provider and
Obtain the Course
Information
Confirm That the
Courses Fit into
Your Education Plan
You need to be sure that the courses you want to take fit into your educational plan. An Academic Advisor or counselor can help you or you can use the My Education Plan in Atlas. You must be receiving credits that satisfy your program requirements in order for financial aid to be used. Before you meet with an
Academic Advisor or Counselor, make sure you have a list of the course you hope to take as well as their
Valencia equivalent. The Advisor or Counselor can help you select courses.
Read Valencia’s
Study Abroad
Student Handbook
You need to read Valencia’s Study Abroad Student Handbook so that you can get familiar with the study abroad experience, it will include helpful facts, program and academic expectations, pre-departure preparation, information on healthcare, communication, safety and emergency, what to expect when you arrive, and much more. http://valenciacollege.edu/international/studyabroad/students/preparingTrip.cfm
Build Your Study
Abroad Budget
Be sure you understand all the program prerequisites in order to apply. Check out the prices, what’s included, what’s not included, accommodations, coursework, if academic credit is awarded or not, etc.
You will need the course titles, prefixes, course descriptions, and learning outcomes for each course along with a cost sheet (required for financial aid) with all the expenses for the semester: http://valenciacollege.edu/international/studyabroad/students/semesterprograms.cfm
Complete the Budget Worksheet for Study Abroad form if you will be using your financial aid to cover some of the expenses. You need to plan for all possible costs.
Get Dean Approval on Transfer Credit
Check to see if the country is on the Dept. of State’s Warning List. You may not be eligible for scholarship money if it is: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
International students must check with an International Advisor or counselor to ensure that there are no travel restrictions on your visa to your intended destination. If you are a permanent resident or on political asylum and hold a passport from another country, you will need to research the visa requirements to travel (visit www.visahq.com
and check with the destination country embassy).
If you are looking for an international internship experience, contact Ms. Barbara Frazier at ext. 3328.
Fill out the Course Pre-Approval & Consortium Agreement Form for Study Abroad. Give this form to the dean along with all the specific course information.
Submit Your Forms to the SAGE office
Submit the items below to the SAGE office. SAGE will obtain the signature from the host institution and submit your paperwork to the offices of Financial Aid and Admissions.

Course Pre-Approval & Consortium Agreement Form for Study Abroad (signed by dean/s)

Cost sheet from the host institution

Course descriptions with learning outcomes
Budget Worksheet for Study Abroad
Research and Apply for Scholarships

You should consider both the Boren and Gilman Awards. Pay special attention to deadline dates! http://valenciacollege.edu/international/studyabroad/students/fundingstudyabroad.cfm
. Please note that there is scholarship money that you can apply for with the SAGE office. Complete the
SAGE Scholarship Instructions & Application Form.
Register and
Receive Program
Please note that you must apply directly to your program provider for semester study abroad unless the program is being directly run through Valencia. Send a copy of your program acceptance letter to the
1


STUDENT CHECKLIST FOR SEMESTER
STUDY ABROAD http://valenciacollege.edu/international/studyabroad/students/applysemester.cfm
2

Apply for Your
Passport
STUDENT CHECKLIST FOR SEMESTER
STUDY ABROAD
Plan ahead and do not use a private expedited service. They do not always deliver what they promise!
Make sure that your passport is valid for at least 6 months after your program ends: http://www.usps.com/passport/
Apply for Your Visa
(if applicable)
Check the consulate of the country where you will be traveling to find out their visa requirements or contact your program provider: http://www.visahq.com/
Make Housing &
Transportation
Arrangements
If these are not included with your program provider, or you are participating in a Student Exchange
Program through Valencia, you will need to make these arrangements. Contact the SAGE office if you need assistance.
Purchase Medical/
Trip Insurance
Verify with the program provider if they have an insurance plan for you. If not, you can purchase a plan through CMI: www.CMIinsurance.com
Purchase an
International
Student ID Card
This is optional. Check out the website to see if it is something you will be able to take advantage of when you travel: http://www.isic.org/home.aspx
Get a Health Check
Up and Get Your
Immunizations
Check with your doctor to be sure that you are up to date on your required vaccines. Consider getting the recommended vaccines. Check the list of destinations to see if you require a vaccine for your trip. Check with your doctor how many weeks or months in advance you will need your shots: http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/content/vaccinations.aspx
Pay Your Program
Provider
Your program provider will keep you updated on the payment requirements.
Attend All Program
Pre-Departure
Orientations
This is a very important part of the process! Be sure that you attend all orientation sessions facilitated by your program provider. Here are some other resources you might find useful: http://valenciacollege.edu/international/studyabroad/resources/travelandsafety.cfm
Pack for Your Trip Use the SAGE Recommended Packing List and the Property Document Form so you don’t forget anything!
Contact Your Cell
Phone Provider
If you plan on taking your cell phone overseas, be sure that you understand the charges involved.
Otherwise, you can rent a phone or purchase a prepaid SIM card.
Enjoy Your Trip! Interact with the places and people you visit. Behave safely and mindfully of your peers and hosts. Learn a lot, reflect, and document your experience.
Attend a Re-Entry
Orientation
Hopefully there will be a re-entry orientation scheduled when you return. This is very important as it allows you to reflect on your entire experience.
Complete the SAGE
Online Program
Evaluation Survey
Please contact the SAGE office when you return. We will send you an online program evaluation and reflection survey for you to complete. This is mandatory for all semester study abroad students.
Write a Thank You
Note to Your SAGE
Scholarship Donor
If you received funding from the SAGE office, you must write a thank you not to your donor. Tell them how this experience has changed you.
Submit Final Grades to SAGE
It is your responsibility to ensure that the SAGE office receives an official transcript from the host institution. It will then be sent to the Admissions Department.
Share Your
Experience
We would love for you to share your experience with us by producing a short video and/or uploading your photos to the SAGE Flickr account. Offer to help the SAGE office by working a table at International
Education Week, College Night, or Matador Day. Help present a SAGE workshop.
3

STUDENT CHECKLIST FOR SEMESTER
STUDY ABROAD
4