Passports
Anyone planning to study abroad will need a valid passport. Most study abroad programs will require you to submit a copy of the photo page of your passport as a part of their application. Your passport should be valid for at least 6 months after your return from abroad, though some destination countries will require a longer period of validity. If you do not have a valid passport with this amount of validity beyond the end date of your program abroad, you should apply for a passport or renew your old one before you apply to study abroad. In the US, passport applications typically take 6-8 weeks to process.
- To apply for or renew a US passport, visit the State Department's passport website.
- If you are an international student, visit the Office of International Education during walk-in hours to let an International Student Advisor know you plan to study abroad. They will help you make sure your US visa will be in order while you are away.
Back to Top
Check your eligibility to study abroad
UVM requires that any student planning to study abroad:
- be a matriculated student (which means that you are fully enrolled in a degree-seeking program)
- have sophomore standing
- transfer students need to have completed at least 1 semester at UVM before applying to study abroad
- have a GPA of 2.5 or higher
- have good behavioral standing
Individual study abroad programs often have higher eligibility requirements, especially regarding GPA (some programs require a 2.75, 3.0, or even higher GPA) and language-level (some programs require up to 6 semesters of college-level language experience or the equivalent). Always check your program's requirements before you apply to see if you are a good candidate for that program. Do not hesitate to ask your Study Abroad Advisor in OIE for help.
For more information about study abroad eligibility, please see Application Deadlines and Eligibility. If you have questions about your own eligibility, please contact the OIE and we will be happy to discuss your specific situation.
Back to Top
Study abroad program types
UVM offers several different types of programs. For more detailed information, please see Types of Programs and review the Study Abroad Programs Grid for a visual comparison between program types, and see Finances for more detailed information about the financial differences between them.
- UVM Bilateral Exchanges and ISEP Exchanges
- These programs are always a semester or year in length (no summer options)
- Students are fully immersed in a foreign university, often with local students and other exchange students from other universities
- Exchange programs are fairly independent and require a good level of initiative, responsibility, and maturity from students
- Currently, Vermont resident students pay the UVM in-state tuition rate, and out-of-state students pay tuition at the “exchange rate” which is equivalent to a 40% reduction on out-of-state tuition. Financial aid, including UVM grants and scholarships, can apply to exchange programs. UVM grants and scholarships are reduced for out-of-state students to account for the reduction in tuition
- As long as students get the equivalent of a C or better in their courses abroad, their credits can transfer back to UVM, but they will not affect their UVM GPA and their grades from abroad will not show on their UVM transcript
- GoAbroad applications for UVM Exchange and ISEP Exchange programs must be initiated at least 10 days before the final UVM study abroad application deadline. The application requirements for these programs include multiple requirements and steps that require advanced planning in order to be successfully completed and submitted. The OIE staff is not able to make exceptions to applications initiated in this time or extensions to the application deadline for incomplete requirements.
- External programs
- Available for semester, year-long, and summer experiences
- These include program provider options, ISEP Direct, direct-enroll options, and field-based programs, so many different types of experiences are available, which means that the independence level varies from program to program
- No tuition is paid to UVM, and instead students pay all fees to the program provider or host university. This means that costs vary from program to program. Your study abroad advisors at OIE can help you compare costs between programs
- Students participating in approved external programs will not qualify for UVM grants and scholarships during their time abroad, but may continue to use federal and state aid to assist in financing their study abroad programs
- As long as students get the equivalent of a C or better in their courses abroad, their credits can transfer back to UVM, but they will not affect their UVM GPA and their grades from abroad will not show on their UVM transcript
- UVM Semester Programs
- Currently there are three:
- UVM Field Studies in Costa Rica
- Taught by UVM faculty, with UVM students, which means that the independence level required is lower
- Students pay their usual tuition to UVM, plus a program fee that covers other costs like housing, local transportation, class activities, etc.
- UVM grants and scholarships are eligible for use, as are federal and state financial aid
- Because students take UVM classes on this program, students get UVM credit (not transfer credit) and grades from abroad do affect their UVM GPA and are visible on their UVM transcript
- UVM Semester in Ireland
- Students take one online course taught by UVM faculty, and the rest of their courses are taught by University of Galway faculty
- For University of Galway classes, students will be enrolled with other international and Irish students
- Students pay their usual tuition to UVM, plus room costs.
- UVM grants and scholarships are eligible for use, as are federal and state financial aid
- The University of Galway classes that students take will not affect students' UVM GPA, but the online UVM-taught class will.
- A grade of C or better is required for the University of Galway classes to transfer back to UVM
- UVM Semester in New Zealand
- Students take one online course taught by UVM faculty, and the rest of their courses are taught by AUT faculty
- For AUT classes, students will be enrolled with other international and New Zealander students
- Students pay their usual tuition to UVM, plus room costs.
- UVM grants and scholarships are eligible for use, as are federal and state financial aid
- The AUT classes that students take will not affect students' UVM GPA, but the online UVM-taught class will.
- A grade of C or better is required for the AUT classes to transfer back to UVM
- GoAbroad applications for UVM Semester programs must be initiated at least 10 days before the final UVM study abroad application deadline. The application requirements for these programs include multiple requirements and steps that require advanced planning in order to be successfully completed and submitted. The OIE staff is not able to make exceptions to applications initiated in this time or extensions to the application deadline for incomplete requirements.
- Travel Study programs
- These are short-term programs offered over winter, spring, and summer breaks
- Travel Study programs are UVM courses taught by UVM faculty with UVM students for a short period of time, so independence level is low
- Active Travel Study programs are visible in GoAbroad. Students will use the link on the Application Process tabs of each program's GoAbroad page to register their interest, and then the faculty leader of the course will follow up with them.
- Since these are UVM courses, they do affect students' UVM GPAs and their grades show on students' UVM transcripts
- Interested students are encouraged to contact the program's faculty leader to find out more details about each program.
Back to Top
Application deadlines
Summer, Fall Semester, Academic Year:
- January 10: UVM Exchange, UVM in Auckland/Galway, and UVM Field Studies in Costa Rica application priority deadline
- February 15: Final deadline for ALL other study abroad programs (including all ISEP and external programs and any exchanges or UVM In programs with spaces left open after the January 10 deadline)
Spring Semester, Calendar Year:
- August 10: UVM Exchange, UVM in Auckland/Galway, and UVM Field Studies in Costa Rica application priority deadline
- September 15: Final deadline for ALL other study abroad programs (including all ISEP and external programs and any exchanges or UVM In programs with spaces left open after the August 10 deadline)
GoAbroad applications for UVM Exchange, UVM Semester, and ISEP Exchange programs must be initiated at least 10 days before the final UVM study abroad application deadline. The application requirements for these programs include multiple requirements and steps that require advanced planning in order to be successfully completed and submitted. The OIE staff is not able to make exceptions to applications initiated in this time or extensions to the application deadline for incomplete requirements.
All UVM students must follow these deadlines, unless your program's deadline is earlier. External program providers may publish deadlines that are later than UVM's deadlines, in these cases please ignore them- you need to submit your program application by UVM's deadline. You should be WAITING ON YOUR ACCEPTANCE TO YOUR PROGRAM or already accepted to your program by the above dates, EVEN IF YOUR PROGRAM'S WEBSITE SAYS THE DEADLINE IS LATER.
For more information, see Application Deadlines and Eligibility.
Please note: Travel Study programs have their own deadlines, visit the individual program in GoAbroad to see application deadlines. Programs may fill before the deadline, apply early for best chance of admission.
Back to Top
Keeping your parents/guardians updated
It's important to discuss your study abroad plans with your parents and guardians. You should keep them up to date on the finances and costs of study abroad, location information about where you want to go and what you want to study while abroad, and general information about the study abroad process. When you are preparing to study abroad, your parents and guardians should not conduct your research for you, fill out your application, or work in your GoAbroad account. You are responsible for your study abroad experience, and you will need to use the information and knowledge that you will get from the study abroad process while you are abroad.
Study abroad advisors in the OIE do answer general questions from parents/guardians regularly, but we do not share personal information with them about students' plans to study abroad, or about the progress they've made in their applications. Please make sure you, the student, are sharing any pertinent information with them that they might need.
Back to Top
The study abroad fee
All students studying abroad on approved exchange, UVM semester, and external programs pay a study abroad fee to UVM. For more information on this fee, please see our Finances page.
- $500 for a semester or year-long program
- $250 for a summer program
This fee keeps you enrolled at UVM while you are abroad, which allows for the appropriate release of financial aid. It also allows students to retain access to UVM resources including the UVM library, class registration, Transfer Affairs, and the assistance of the Study Abroad Advisors. It also enrolls you in International SOS, an emergency assistance program and basic international health insurance. For more information about International SOS, please see our Health and Safety Abroad page, or visit the International SOS website.
Back to Top
Learn about the visa process
First, a few definitions:
- A visa is permission from a foreign government for you to visit their country for a specific amount of time, and for a specific purpose. If you've ever been to a foreign country and gotten a stamp in your passport- that is an example of a visa (typically a visitor/tourist visa) given to you upon arrival to that foreign country.
- An embassy is a country's official representation/location in another country- where their diplomats are based in their host country's capital city. In the US, these are all located in the Washington DC area.
- A consulate is a smaller diplomatic office in a different city of the same host country. For example: the Government of Chile has an embassy in Washington DC, and also a consulate in Boston.
Most students who study abroad for a semester or longer, and some students going abroad for a shorter period of time, will need to apply for a student visa before they leave to study abroad.
- Visa regulations and processes are different for all destination countries. There may even be different regulations between consulates of the same country (for example, students applying to the Italian consulate in Boston must follow different rules for getting a visa than the students applying to the Italian consulate in New York City).
- Many visa processes will require applicants to make an appointment at the consulate or embassy in their region for an interview or to turn in documents in person.
- The length of time a visa process takes is very different from country to country- ranging from a day or two, to several months. That's why it's important to start your research early!
- Visa regulations may be different depending on your country of citizenship.
- If you are doing an internship or otherwise planning to work while abroad, some countries will require you to get extra authorization, in the form of a work permit or visa.
- You cannot apply for a student visa until you've been accepted to a study abroad program and have a valid passport. So focus on acheiving those first, but also do your research to find out what the visa process will be like for you, and what documentation you will need to gather for it.
- You should take all final visa advice and guidance from your host country's embassy or consulate. If you are participating in an external study abroad program through a program provider, your provider may be able to provide you with some guidance on your visa process. OIE cannot provide official visa advice to students, but the Study Abroad Advisors in OIE can point students in the right direction to find and understand visa advice from their consulate.
Back to Top
Things to consider when choosing a destination
There are many factors you might want to consider while choosing where to study abroad. The Study Abroad Advisors in OIE can discuss any of these factors with you, and provide you with resources to help you find a program that best suits your needs.
- Academic needs: What courses or subject areas do you need to take, and what programs would offer those? Are you planning on doing an internship- and if so, what programs offer those in your discipline? Do you need academic accommodations, and what program options would offer the support you need?
- Are you planning to study abroad your senior year? Here are important things to keep in mind…
- You must complete 30 of your last 45 credits at UVM. Be sure to discuss this requirement with your UVM academic advisor.
- After completion of your academics abroad, transcripts can take 2-4 months after final grades are submitted to be processed and sent to UVM Transfer Affairs. Students are responsible for ensuring than an official transcript is sent to UVM’s Transfer Affairs Office. Once your transcript has arrived, UVM Transfer Affairs will evaluate your courses. Students are then able to view transfer credit in their myUVM portal under the Registrars tab by clicking the transfer credit link. As necessary, students will then follow up with their academic advisor to find out it and/or how transfer credits may be used towards UVM degree requirements. This timeline is important to understand because it may have an impact on your graduation:
- If you are studying abroad during your senior fall semester, you will want to ensure that your transcript will arrive in time for UVM Transfer Affairs to review and process your credit transfer with enough time for a standard May graduation. Students should proactively ask their host institution/program when their transcript is expected to arrive.
- If you are studying abroad during your senior spring, your credits will not transfer in time for a standard May graduation – you will need to plan on an August or December graduation from UVM.
- Cost: Programs can vary greatly in cost. See our Finances page for detailed information about how each different type of program works financially. When choosing an external program, make sure you know what the costs are (they are always published on the program/host university website) and what additional scholarships could be available to you through your program provider.
- Program dates: Some programs have very different semester dates than a typical US university does. For example, the academic year in the Southern Hemisphere is typically from February to November, so if you plan to study abroad in Fall, your semester might be from July to November. For some universities in Europe and elsewhere, their Fall semester may start in October and last until February or so, and their Spring semester may be from March to July. Keep in mind any commitments you might have that could interfere with your program's dates.
- Medical history/needs: Do you have any mental or physical health conditions? If so, talk with your medical professionals about starting to create a plan for you to handle your condition while you are abroad. If you take medication or need accommodations or care while abroad, your medical professionals can help you sort this out. Our Health and Safety Abroad page and its associated links might be helpful for you. If you have a documented disability, Student Accessibility Services can give you advice on how to proceed with getting appropriate accommodations abroad, and our Students with Disabilities Abroad page offers some tips and resources. While some countries or programs may not be able to offer suitable accommodations, there are likely many that would be able to provide what you need. It is helpful to talk with the OIE and your program provider/host university about this as well so that you can be sure you know what is available in your host country.
- Dietary needs: Do you have food allergies or intolerances? Are you a vegetarian, a vegan, do you eat gluten-free, or have any other special dietary needs? If so, you should do some research into the food options in your host country and on the programs you're considering to make sure they would suit your needs. Talk with the OIE and your program provider/host university about how you can manage these dietary needs abroad.
- Host language: Do you need to take all your classes in English, or do you have several semesters of a foreign language you'd like to put to use by taking your classes in that language? For most programs that teach classes in a foreign language, from 4-6 semesters of college-level language (or the equivalent) is required. If you have that much foreign language experience, OIE would definitely encourage you to think about taking your courses in your foreign language- there is no better way to improve your fluency. If you don't have that much foreign language experience, there are many 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. You should do your research into the language requirements of the programs you are considering.
- Personal connection or identity: Is your family ancestry from Ghana, and you want to learn more about it? Are you really interested in learning about the Finnish education system, one of the best in the world? Do you identify as LGBTQ and want to find out more about the history of LGBTQ rights and social movements in the Netherlands? Did you have a pen pal from Chile when you were a kid and you want to learn more about her country? Do you love the Lord of the Rings movies and you want to visit New Zealand? We all hold a myriad of personal identities and interests, and so we all have many different personal connections to countries around the world. Consider your identities and personal connections to different countries, and think about whether or not you'd like to explore any of these connections or identities while you are abroad. Some of our identity-focused pages may be able to help guide you:
Back to Top
Plan your UVM housing
In Burlington’s tight rental market, off-campus housing decisions typically need to be made very far in advance. Many students report that it is difficult to find a subletter for their off-campus apartment during their semester abroad, especially if they do not start planning this early. Some landlords will not even allow subleases. You should plan ahead to make sure that your landlord will allow you to sublease your apartment and that your roommates are happy with the arrangement. You should also allow for plenty of time to find a subletter. The University of Vermont Off-Campus Housing Service provides a way to post a free sublet listing, and has message boards and other resources. The Office of Student and Community Relations also has many great resources, please visit their website for more information.
UVM on-campus housing offerings can also be very tight for students who have met UVM's residencey requirement, and some years, very few spaces are available to these students. If you are interested in living on campus and have already met the residency requirement, please see Residential Life’s page for information about completing a housing contract and selecting a room. Note that housing placement for the coming academic year for students who have already fulfilled the residency requirement does not occur until after August 1, so you may want to have a back-up housing option in case there is not enough space for you in campus housing.
Back to Top
GoAbroad
Any student planning to study abroad will be using OIE's new application system and program database called GoAbroad. Through this system, you will be able to search for programs according to academic interest, location, type of experience/program, and other factors. You will also complete your UVM study abroad approval process through this platform- both your pre-acceptance forms and your post-acceptance forms.
Once you have found a program you would like to apply to, click the “Apply Now” button on that program’s information page. You will login with your UVM NetID and password, and choose a term to apply for. Then you will begin your GoAbroad pre-decision checklist.
Please note that only one GoAbroad application is required per program type (UVM Exchange, ISEP, "UVM In" program, External/Direct).
To find out more about how to use GoAbroad, see our page: How to Use GoAbroad. If you have any questions, please contact us at studyabroad@uvm.edu.
Back to Top
Meet with your academic advisor
Once you have attended a Study Abroad 101 Session or read this website, you should meet with your Academic Advisor. With their help, you will need to complete the Academic Planning form for your College- these forms can be found on the Study Abroad Forms page. Your discussion with your advisor should include the following topics:
- When is the best semester to study abroad?
- Do you need to take classes for your major, minor, or general electives?
- Are there classes for your major that you must take at UVM?
After your meeting with your academic advisor, follow the instructions at the bottom of the page to find out where to bring the form.
Back to Top
Your next steps
Please read the student-focused sections of How to Use GoAbroad, to help you get ready to use GoAbroad. Then, visit GoAbroad, and search for programs that interest you and that fit your needs. When you have chosen a program, you can click the Apply Now button on any program's information page to start your GoAbroad checklist- the UVM approval process for study abroad. You can connect with our office if you have questions about particular programs or matters related to studying abroad. Just contact our office or sign up for one of our advising sessions!
Back to Top