Pre-Departure: Partner and Provider Programs Guide
Find all of the information you need to prepare for your upcoming study abroad program on this page. This guide can be a quick reference for questions you may have related to your upcoming experience.
![students](/cms4/asset/EC113DA5-BC43-0135-9E8DAE1003FAFFF2/art_copy[1478882683].jpg)
![classroom](/cms4/asset/EC113DA5-BC43-0135-9E8DAE1003FAFFF2/anna_morgan_-_peru_-_my_classroom_abroad_2[1625595078].jpg)
Academics
- Learn how to get courses approved to take abroad
- Take General Education and Issues courses abroad
- Transfer credit from courses taken abroad
- How academic systems can be different abroad
- What is IS 380 and how to register
- Academic policies for students while abroad
- Policies for withdrawing and refunds
- What to know about conducting research abroad
Finances
- How to fund your study abroad program
- How to complete the Expense Form
- How to create a budget for your study abroad experience
- Guide to financial aid while abroad
- Setting up a financial aid appointment
- Learn about scholarships for study abroad
- How to manage your money while abroad
- How to defer program fees if eligible
- Receive an early refund of financial aid if eligible
- Find out the release date for your financial aid
- Complete your financial aid agreement
- Information regarding 1098T Education Tax Credit
![Australia](/cms4/asset/EC113DA5-BC43-0135-9E8DAE1003FAFFF2/madison_tiemann_-_australia_-_lakers_abroad_1_2_cropped[1625584730].jpg)
![Parrot](/cms4/asset/EC113DA5-BC43-0135-9E8DAE1003FAFFF2/rocio_velasquez-morales_-_spain_-_the_great_outdoors_2_cropped(2)[1625584769].jpg)
Practical Information
- Applying for a Passport
- Packing tips for study abroad
- Purchasing a flight
- Applying for a student visa for travel
- How to get an FBI background check or apostille if required for your visa
- How to set up a phone and communication while abroad
- Learning about transportation while abroad
- Using electronic devices abroad
- Tips for living with a host family
- Voting in an election while abroad
- What to know about your host country before going abroad
- What to do about your housing in the US while you are abroad
- How to be a good representative of the US and GVSU while abroad
Deadlines
Find out the deadlines for all paperwork and documents required by PIC to participate in a study abroad program
- Fall semester and Academic year abroad deadlines
- Winter semester abroad deadlines
- Spring and Summer abroad deadlines
![Seville](/cms4/asset/EC113DA5-BC43-0135-9E8DAE1003FAFFF2/amber_modena_sevilla_ambermodena_myclassroomabroad[1625593977].jpg)
![Norway](/cms4/asset/EC113DA5-BC43-0135-9E8DAE1003FAFFF2/ana_wassilak_-_norway_-_laker_abroad_2_cropped[1625585854].jpg)
Health
- GVSU required health insurance information
- Information on health abroad and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
- Important considerations regarding COVID-19
- Taking medications abroad
- Learn about vaccines for travel
- Information on Global Epidemics
- Learn about Relationships and Sexual Health Abroad
Safety
- Learn about Being Safe Abroad
- Enroll in STEP Smart Traveler Enrollment Program through the State Department
- Inform yourself about Sexual Harassment, Assault, and Rape Abroad
- Check out the Travel Advisories for your destination
- Check out the FBI brochure on safety and security abroad
- Review the Participant Responsibilities for Health and Safety Abroad
- Learn how to Stay Safe on Public WIFI
![Llama](/cms4/asset/EC113DA5-BC43-0135-9E8DAE1003FAFFF2/ashlyn_rowell_-_ecuador_-_the_great_outdoors_1[1625593629].jpg)
![Italy](/cms4/asset/EC113DA5-BC43-0135-9E8DAE1003FAFFF2/kristina_katilius_-_italy_-_celebration_and_tradition_2_cropped[1625593441].jpg)
Culture
- What is culture shock and how to navigate it
- Find cultural information for countries represented by GVSU programs
- Access CultureGrams country guides for extensive cultural information
- Explore the Nations Online Project for comprehensive country-specific information
- Access guides for acclimation created by the Glimpse foundation
- Check out general cultural value differences to prepare for your travel
- Utilize the Hofstede country comparison tool to compare cultural differences between countries
Additional Resources
- Access the Pre-Departure Checklist to assist in your study abroad planning
- Check out the GVSU Pre-Departure video for study abroad tips from students
- Access resources and information for students of color
- Find resources and information for LGBTQIA+ students
- Access information for women studying abroad
- Learn about resources for students with disabilities
- Access information for veterans
- Find information and resources for non-traditional students
- Hear from GVSU students about their experiences abroad
- View the Students Abroad Handbook from the Center for Global Engagement
![Desert](/cms4/asset/EC113DA5-BC43-0135-9E8DAE1003FAFFF2/angela_harris_-_namibia_-_the_great_outdoors_1_cropped(3)[1625594541].jpg)
![Stonehenge](/cms4/asset/EC113DA5-BC43-0135-9E8DAE1003FAFFF2/ashley_brown_-_united_kingdom_-_the_great_outdoors_1_cropped[1625594209].jpg)
Returning to the United States
- Learn about resources for students returning from study abroad