Study Abroad Advising and Pre-Departure Orientation

UVM’s study abroad team works with you from your initial study abroad research through your pre-departure preparations and while you are abroad.

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

Study Abroad 101

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Study Abroad 101 sessions are offered regularly while classes are in session and weekly during the summer months. This first step in the study abroad process provides students with important information about the types of programs available, an overview of the application process, and how financial aid, credit transfer, and other factors may affect the types of programs they choose to consider. Students are also introduced to the GoAbroad system, UVM’s approved study abroad program database and application portal.

This session is required for all students wishing to study abroad as a first step in the process. Registration is required, visit Microsoft Bookings to view available session and register! Sessions are either in-person or virtual, check the specific event listing for more information.

Drop-in Advising

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Drop-in Advising is available to students seeking assistance with their study abroad application and process-related questions. This session is intended for students who:

  • Have attended Study Abroad 101 already
  • Are uncertain of the next steps of the study abroad process
  • Need assistance identifying or comparing program options
  • Have a specific question related to an open application

While classes are in session, Drop-In Advising is offered in-person in Living/Learning B Building. During these regularly scheduled hour-long sessions, Study Abroad Advisors circulate the room, addressing individual student questions. Please bring a laptop and come prepared with your questions.

During summer months, Drop-In Advising is offered virtually via Microsoft Teams. Students are able to schedule 15-minute drop-in appointments for assistance with their study abroad application and to address any process-related questions. Please come prepared with your questions.

Registration is requred, visit Microsoft Bookings to view available dates/times and register. Meeting windows are limited so students who are more than 5 minutes late will be asked to reschedule.

Pre-requisite for Drop-in Advising: Students must complete the Study Abroad 101 requirement prior to attending the Drop-in Advising session.

Individual Advising Appointment

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Required Appointments

Certain study abroad program types require individual advising appointments. If your program requires this, you will find scheduling instructions within your GoAbroad application.

Optional Appointments

For students applying to External programs, meeting with a study abroad advisor is optional. Students should consult their program provider for specific questions and email studyabroad@uvm.edu with any UVM process related questions or attend a Drop-In Advising session.

Requesting an Individual Advising Appointment for a Private Matter

If your program type does not require an individual advising appointment but you wish to meet one-on-one with a UVM study abroad advisor, you need to email studyabroad@uvm.edu to request an appointment. Individual advising appointments will be accommodated for private matters that cannot be discussed in a Drop-In Advising session.

To request an individual advising appointment for a private matter, ensure that you have:

  • Completed the Study Abroad 101 requirement.
  • Initiated a GoAbroad record. If you have not yet done so, we encourage you to attend a Drop-in Advising session.
  • Met with you academic advisor and completed the relevant Academic Planning Form.
  • Sent an email to studyabroad@uvm.edu requesting an individual advising appointment. This request should clearly indicate the matter that needs to be discussed and cannot be addressed in a Drop-In Advising session

NOTE: These steps will require advanced action and planning. Session offerings and advising appointment availability can be limited, especially as the deadline approaches. Students should schedule their appointment with a study abroad advisor to occur no later than 10 business days prior to the deadline to ensure adequate time to complete the application requirements. We encourage students to arrange their advising appointment well before that - an application will be considered incomplete if this requirement is not completed prior to the stated deadline. Exceptions will not be considered if the student waited until under 10 business days prior to the deadline to arrange the appointment and are then unable to secure a time. Appointments are only available during regular business hours and are filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Pre-Departure Orientation

Pre-Departure Orientation Overview

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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

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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

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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.