The very first step of the UVM Study Abroad process is learning the basics through our Study Abroad 101. All students must start their process here.

1. Attend a live Study Abroad 101 session with Q&A (check the Study Abroad Events Calendar for dates/times), or
2. Watch the recorded Study Abroad 101 video presentation (link opens in new tab)   

Study Abroad 101 reviews key concepts all students must understand - these will be quizzed during your application process. These concepts are further explained on our website in the links below. Before you dive deeper in your reasearch, you must understand: 

• Application Deadlines and Eligibility
• Approved Study Abroad Programs
• Finances of a Study Abroad experience

The information on those links and in Study Abroad 101 are important for beginning the next stage of your process: Researching program options. Even if you already have a program in mind, we encourage you to do your research and use the information from this step of the process to inform conversations and lines of thinking in your research. 

Following an understanding of the basics of program types, finances of study abroad, eligibility and deadlines by completing the Study Abroad 101 requirement, you will begin researching programs that would meet your specific needs. All research for approved study abroad programs begins in GoAbroad - this is UVM's central source for our approved study abroad programs. 

 As you search for program options, we encourage students to think of this research from multiple perspectives.

• Academic Considerations: Academic alignment of your program to your UVM studies should be the top priority when selecting a program. As part of your GoAbroad application, you will complete a "Meet your Academic Advisor" form where you affirm that you have met with your advisor and completed the relevant Academic Planning Form for your college with your academic advisor. Look at the form for your college now and meet with your academic advisor - They can serve as an important guide in programs that are well-suited for your academic goals. Your academics can shape the timing of your study abroad semester, the programs that are possible, and course sequencing at UVM, among other things. Study Abroad returnees nust undergo the transfer credit process, which can impact things like participating in commencement, for students studying at the end of their studies. 
   
• Financial Considerations: The program type you choose should be carefully considered to ensure your financial needs are met. We recommend having a conversation with anyone who is supporting your education financially if you are not absolutely certain on what your financial support is. Additionally, programs within any given program type have varied costs. The cost of living abroad can also have an impact. Make sure to plan for the many different costs of a study abroad experience, including tuition, program fees/living expenses, personal spending, flights, passport and visa costs, and the like. Once you are accepted into a program you will have a budget planning process for your specific program, but you do not want to find yourself in a program that cannot meet your financial needs. There are also scholarships for study abroad that you might apply for. 
   
• Experiential Considerations: Beyond finances and academics, there are a multitude of experiential and personal considerations that can shape the programs that are right for you. Some of these include:
  • Geographic areas of interest - Consider where in the world you are hoping to study. Sometimes students have multiple geographic program options that also meet their program needs. 
  • Program dates - many programs do not align completely with UVM's semester dates and participating in a semester might mean traveling during the holiday period, having a semester abroad cut into the US summer months, etc. Think of how the program dates might affect any plans you have. 
  • Host language - Most programs that teach classes in a foreign language require 4-6 semesters of college-level language training, and there is no better way to improve fluency in another language. However, if you don't have that much experience, there are programs that are offered in English even where English is not the local language, but some programs may be more limited in subject area offered in English. 
  • Your identity - Your own identity will greatly shape your study abroad experience. We discuss some considerations on our Identity Abroad website. 

Often, students will have several programs that could meet their goals for a semester abroad, though we cannot always find a perfect match between all of the factors above. We encourage you to discuss with your UVM and non-UVM support networks the things that are most important to you in a study abroad experience. If you need a partner in thinking through these considerations, our study abroad advising team can be helpful in that process. See our Advising website for ways to connect. 

Now is also the time to make sure you have a valid passport - this will be part of your application - plan ahead as these can take some time to be issued/renewed.

Once you have identified programs that will work for you, click the "Apply Now" button on the program’s GoAbroad page to initiate a formal application. In GoAbroad this means you are entering the "Pre-Decision" phase, and is functionally the application period for study abroad. This is distinct from the "Post-Decision" phase which you will enter after you have been placed in a study abroad program.

You will complete only one application. However, certain program types (UVM Exchange, UVM Semester, and ISEP Exchange) require you to list placement preferences, as placement is sometimes competitive. This is further explained in your required study abroad advising appointment for these program types and in the applications themselves. We always recommend applying by the priority deadline and leaving yourself ample time to complete the requirements. 

Most students will have to complete a secondary application beyond GoAbroad at some point in the process. For students applying for ISEP Direct, ISEP Exchange, and External programs, this all happens concurrently in the Pre-Decision phase of the study abroad process. For UVM Exchange and UVM Semester programs this happens after you have been placed in your program. 

Following application deadlines, students will be contacted about next steps. This might include paying a deposit, confirming acceptance of your offer of place at a program for application types that include ranking multiple options, etc. Prior to this, the UVM Study Abroad office is ensuring applications were properly completed, students meet all eligibility requirements, and then making placement decisions for students applying for high demand programs within UVM's portfolio. 

Once you have been conditionally accepted into a program and following the pre-decision deadline in GoAbroad, you are in the "Post-Decision" stage of GoAbroad and will have a series of UVM steps to complete as well as steps with your host institution/study abroad program provider. Students can sometimes underestimate the many things that need to happen during this stage - plan ahead! During this phase you will: 

• Get final approval from your academic college/school
• Attend required pre-departure orientation sessions
• Complete financial aid and scholarship transfer processes
• Complete host program requirements and forms
• Apply for an entry visa to your host destination, if needed
• Sign up for key health and safety supports for your time abroad
• Make arrangements for your program, such as housing and course registration, as appropriate
• Make travel arrangements

There are a lot of steps, but it is because you are setting up a whole life for yourself overseas. Our team will offer communications, workshops, and advising opportunities to help you move through it. Make sure to work ahead so you can receive your final approval to go abroad!