Before you begin your undergraduate degree at UVM, think a bit about where study abroad might fit into your overall education plan. Some majors (including many in the humanities and social sciences) have quite open curricula that make it easy to fit study abroad into an undergraduate degree course. For other majors (in the natural sciences or, sometimes, in the arts), you might just need to think a bit more about your planning process (remembering that study abroad is possible for nearly all CAS majors).

Questions to consider at this point:

1. Are there AP or dual enrollment credits that you have earned that may free up some space in your schedule as you consider study abroad opportunities?
2. Are there language skills that you have developed in high school that you might like to continue with in the future or further through a study abroad experience?
3. What kind of study abroad would you like to have? Would you like to do a two-week travel study course or a full semester or year abroad? Or would you like to combine one of these experiences with a short, pre-orientation UVM GO program in London, Costa Rica, Vancouver, Montreal, or Iceland?

As you plan your academic schedule, look ahead to your sophomore, junior, or senior years to think about what your goals regarding study abroad, internships, research, and career preparation might look like. Consider how you can use your first year in college to meet some of your Catamount Core requirements, explore possible majors or complete some of the introductory courses for a declared major, and engage with some areas of study that intrigue you.

Questions to consider at this point:

1. How important is a global/study abroad experience to the overall vision you have for your undergraduate education?
2. Which kind of study abroad might best serve your needs (travel study course, UVM Semester In program, another semester-away program, or a full year abroad)?
3. Would you like study abroad to provide you with an opportunity to gain proficiency in a foreign language?
4. How does your emerging academic program/major (and minor) look in terms of overall requirements? Do you think it might be possible to meet some of those requirements through courses you take while studying abroad?
5. Is there a possibility that you might want to study abroad during the spring semester of your sophomore year? (If so, remember that you will need to begin the application process during the summer following your first year.)

Now is the time to really determine when it might be best to study abroad. If you have already declared a major, what does progress in that major look like? Map the courses you plan to take to meet your major requirements and determine where study abroad might fit into your plans. It is also a good idea to look at how study abroad might affect your plans for your minor. Now is the time to really engage with the Office of International Education. Finally, consider what other types of experiential learning you would like to complete during your time at UVM (internship, research, service learning, etc.)

Questions to consider at this point:

1. Does your major have enough flexibility to enable study abroad? If so, how can you ensure that you meet major requirements before, during, and after your study abroad experience?
2. When would you like to study abroad during your junior year? Does the first or second semester make the most sense?
3. What do you envision your off campus living situation looking like during your junior year? How might study abroad fit into that?
4. How does study abroad fit into your overall educational and career goals now that you have been in college for a few semesters? Are there other experiential learning opportunities (internships, research, service learning, etc.) that you want to pursue before graduating?

This is the year to decide if study abroad is really going to be a component of your undergraduate educational experience. If you have not already done so, you should really discuss your options with your professional and/or faculty advisor as early as possible in junior year and meet with the Office of International Education. Now is also the time to be sure that you are on track with your major and minor requirements and that you have room in your schedule to accommodate study abroad. If you have waited until this point to consider your study abroad options, you are likely looking at studying abroad in the autumn of your senior year (or, if you have considered your options before early August, spring semester of your junior year).

Questions to consider at this point:

1. How much will it bother me to not be hitting senior year milestones with my peers on campus? Does the desire to study abroad override these concerns?
2. If I study abroad for a portion of my senior year, how might that affect my ability to pursue internships, undertake career preparation, or apply for graduate study?
3. If a semester-long program seems untenable at this point, might it make sense to consider a shorter, travel study course during the winter break, spring break, or the summer?

While it is important to remember that 30 of the final 45 credits for your degree must be completed at UVM, some students do study abroad during their senior year. If you are going to go abroad during the fall of your senior year, the application process will need to be completed during the preceding winter. If you plan to study abroad during your final semester, recognize that your plans will have to be in place by the summer following your junior year. Studying abroad during the senior year means being very careful to check that you have met (or will meet) all degree requirements to ensure that you graduate on time. For many, though, the senior year is a time to reflect on study abroad experiences (while pursuing your academic interests), gain some work experience through internships, and consider career options or graduate education.

Questions to consider at this point:

1. Have you met with your advisor (before your departure for a program during your senior year) to ensure that your degree plan is ironclad and that you will be able to meet your degree requirements if you study abroad during your senior year?
2. If studying abroad during the fall semester of your senior year, what sorts of things will need to be in place as you return to campus in January to ensure the successful completion of your degree?
3. How has coursework for your major/minor combined with your study abroad experience contributed to your understanding of global citizenship?