UVM students who study abroad will meet with Office of International Education staff and peer advisors at several key stages of the process:
- Study Abroad 101 Workshops
- Drop-in Advising
- Individual Advising (only for certain programs)
- Pre-Departure Orientation
Process, Program-Selection, and Application Advising
Pre-Departure Orientation
Pre-Departure Orientation Overview
All students participating in UVM-approved study abroad programs are required to participate in a pre-departure orientation with the Office of International Education. This session covers essential health and safety, logistical, financial, and academic matters. Some programs have additional required UVM-run programs. You may have additional orientations run by your program provider.
Note: the below is for semester, year-long, and summer study abroad programs only. Students participating in UVM Travel Study programs should follow instructions for their individual course.
Pre-departure orientation is an important (and required!) aspect of preparing for your study abroad.
This page is updated around February 1 and September 1 for current term dates.
Virtual Pre-departure Orientation Required for ALL Students
All students participating in a study abroad program (excepting travel study) that begins in Fall 2025 or Academic Year 2025-2026 term must attend our virtual Pre-departure Orientation. This session covers important logistical, financial, academic, and health and safety matters imperative to understand in the pre-departure planning process. This is a virtual event and family members are welcome.
Tuesday, April 1 - 12:00 p.m. - 1:30 p.m. Use this link to join.
Additional Program-Specific Orientation Sessions
UVM Semester
Students participating in UVM Semester programs are required to attend a series of pre-departure orientation sessions as a condition of participating in the program. These sessions will familiarize students with the UVM Semester model, cover host university requirements, and connect students in the cohort. These are in addition to the pre-departure orientation session described above that is required of all students.
UVM Semester in New Zealand
Meeting #1: Thursday, March 6, 2025: 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Living/Learning Commons 315
Meeting #2: Sunday, April 6, 2025: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 4th Floor of the Davis Center
Meeting #3: Monday, April 21, 2025: 5:00 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. (Virtual) Use this link to join.
UVM Semester in Ireland
Meeting #1: Thursday, March 6, 2025: 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Living/Learning Commons 315
Meeting #2: Sunday, April 6, 2025: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 4th Floor of the Davis Center
Meeting #3: Monday, April 21, 2025: 9:00 a.m. - 10:00 a.m. (Virtual) Use this link to join.
UVM Semester in South Korea
Meeting #1: Thursday, March 6, 2025: 4:30 p.m. - 6:00 p.m. Living/Learning Commons 315
Meeting #2: Sunday, April 6, 2025: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 4th Floor of the Davis Center
Additional Meetings TBD
ISEP (Direct and Exchange)
Students participating in ISEP programs must attend one additional program-type specific pre-departure orientation in addition the session described above that is required of all students. This session is hosted by the Office of International Education
Sunday, April 6, 2025: 10:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 4th Floor of the Davis Center
UVM Field Studies in Costa Rica
Students participating in the UVM Field Studies in Costa Rica program must attend one additional program-type specific pre-departure orientation in addition to the session above that is required of all students, and in addition to the sessions hosted by the Costa Rica team. This session is hosted by the Office of International Education.
Sunday, April 6, 2025: 11:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m. 4th Floor of the Davis Center
External Provider Programs
UVM only requires that students participating in an external program provider program attend the required session described in the section above that is required of all students. However, students will also attend pre-departure meetings with their program provider/host institution and will receive those details directly from the provider/program.