Use this checklist to guide you in planning to study abroad. The items
on the list are not necessarily in chronological order.
| Examine your Academic Program |
Prior planning for study abroad will likely prevent any delay in completing your degree requirements.
In most departments, there is a limit to the number of courses taken outside the university that can be
applied toward your major or minor. Therefore, you may want to save elective courses for your time
abroad. Talk to your faculty advisor about these issues and determine the courses that would be most
suitable for you to take abroad. |
| Research Study Abroad Programs |
Meet with a study abroad advisor or come to the Study Abroad Office in 359 Martindale Student
Services Center and browse through our materials. We have many extra catalogs for students to take home.
Use the internet to search for programs. |
| Contact Study Abroad Office |
Request program materials, including course descriptions, from the study abroad staff; ask specific questions about costs, credits, transcripts, travel, dates of the program, deadlines, etc. |
| Select a Program |
Identify your priorities (courses, housing situation, location, cost, etc.) and compare several
programs. Ask the study abroad staff for names of former participants and speak to them about their
experiences. Meet with a study abroad advisor to discuss a specific program or help narrow your choices. |
| Fill out Application and other Paperwork |
Some programs require you to obtain recommendations from professors and forms that must be completed by school officials. Plan ahead to do this before the application date. If you need to have a form filled out by a study abroad advisor, call 662-915-1508 to make an appointment. To apply, download a Study Abroad Application.. |
| Complete Study Abroad Course Approval Form |
Students MUST complete a Course Approval Form BEFORE leaving in order to earn appropriate credit upon returning. Failure to complete this form prior to departure could result in no academic credit being awarded. This form is available in the Study Abroad Office or on the Web as part of the UM Study Abroad Application.
|
| Financial Aid, 257 Martindale |
Make an appointment with an advisor in Financial Aid if you are planning to use financial aid for a study abroad program or are on scholarship. |
| Scholarships |
Scholarships are available through the UM Study Abroad Office and other sources. Check the Study Abroad Financial Aid page for more information. |
| Study Abroad Advisor, 359 Martindale |
Make an appointment with a Study Abroad Advisor for questions as you select a program or prepare
for your trip. |
| Obtaining a Passport |
To travel abroad to other countries you will need a passport. You can apply for a new
passport at most post offices. Your passport must be valid 6 months from your expected date of return.
Allow 3-6 weeks for processing. You will need the following to apply for a new passport:
- Download form "DSP-11: Application for Passport"
- Proof of Citizenship (a certified birth certificate with a raised seal or a previous passport)
- Proof of Identity (previous passport, driver's license or government ID)
- Two identical 2" x 2" passport photos taken within six months
- $97 fee (see passport form for payment options)
If you need your passport in a hurry, you can get an expedited passport. To do this you must
either be leaving in less than 14 days, or, if you require foreign visas, in 2-3 weeks. This will cost
you an extra $60 plus overnight delivery costs and you must show proof of your upcoming departure, such
as plane tickets. For more information, visit the U.S. government passport site. |
| Renewing Your Passport |
If you already have a passport and that passport is your most recent one, it was issued within the past 15 years, and you were over age 16 when it was issued, you may renew your passport by mail.
To do this:
- Download form "DSP-82: Application For Passport By Mail"
- Fill it out, sign and date it and attach:
- Your most recent passport
- Two identical 2" x 2" passport photos taken within six months
- $67 fee (see passport form for payment options
American Passport Express is a non-governmental organization that helps secure US passports in a rush.
|
| Visa |
A visa is a sticker, stamp or piece of paper attached to your passport that allows you to travel
to a country for a certain period of time for specific purposes (e.g., tourism, business, studies). For
most countries you will need a visa if you will be staying more than 90 days. However, you should confirm
this with your program provider or the nearest embassy or consulate of the country you will be visiting.
Also, Travel Document Systems offers extensive information about the visa requirements for each country
and expedited visa service (which should only be necessary if you have to leave on short notice). |
| International Student Identity Card (ISIC) |
Purchase your ISIC, which entitles students who are traveling abroad to discounts on airfare, travel,
museums, and other activities. It also includes limited health and accident insurance as well as medical
evacuation and repatriation benefits for travelers. ISIC cards cost $22 and may be purchased at the Study
Abroad Office. Each card also requires two 2" x 2" photos. Photos can be taken in the Study Abroad Office
for a $3 fee. |
| Insurance |
Students will be provided with international health insurance coverage for the duration of the program.
This insurance will include medical evacuation and repatriation benefits. Coverage is provided by CISI.
This coverage does not replace any national coverage a student may already use. |
| Travel Plans |
Purchase a plane ticket and any rail passes and youth hostel passes you
may want to use while abroad. |
| Power of Attorney |
Consider granting Power of Attorney to a family member if you need someone
to deposit your financial aid check(s). Contact your bank about arranging for this. |
| E-mail |
It is always wise to establish an e-mail account that can be accessed from
any part of the world before you leave to go abroad. UM e-mail accounts can
be accessed online by going to webmail.olemiss.edu. Please e-mail
Study Abroad
to let us know what your e-mail address will be while you're abroad. |
| Orientation |
Online orientation will be required of all participants upon acceptance into a study abroad program.
Attendance at country-specific orientations is also required. Please consult the study abroad calendar
for specific dates, times and locations. Failure to complete the online orientation or to attend the
program orientation may jeopardize your eligibility for study abroad. |
| Transcript |
At the end of your program, arrange to have your study abroad transcript sent to Study Abroad Office,
The University of Mississippi, 359 Martindale, PO Box 187, University, MS 38677, USA. |
| Stay in Touch |
If your e-mail address will change while you are abroad, please make sure that you
e-mail Study Abroad to let us know. We send out important
information to our students who are abroad. Once you have finished your program, please fill out an
evaluation for us to keep on file in the study abroad library or come by to tell one of the advisors
about your experience. If you are planning a career in international education, are interested in helping
out students who are considering studying abroad, or would like to meet international students on campus,
contact our office to get involved. Some past study abroad students serve as Study Abroad Ambassadors
and help out by giving presentations on campus about study abroad.
|
