melissa grace kreider

Are you planning on studying abroad, or even rolling the idea around in your mind? You may think that you could NEVER study abroad because it’s just too expensive, out of reach, etc. You’re wrong! You’re very, very mistaken. In fact, studying abroad is easier and more accessible than ever before. You could very well be on your way to Europe, Asia, Australia, Japan – anywhere!

1) Figure out where you want to go! Write down a list of two or three places that you’ve always wanted to go and you think will benefit your major and help you gain experience in your field.

2) Visit the Office of International Programs located in Polsky Room 483. You may even want to call ahead at (330) 972-6349 to let them know you're stopping by! This will allow them give you the attention you need and deserve as a student abroad student. While you're there, you can get questions answered and an idea of possible programs offered.

To be extra prepared, explore:

Exchange and Affiliate Programs 

or

Summer and Other Programs

 3) Visit Study Abroad 101 with programs in mind! This site has student reviews of every major study abroad program out there! It was very helpful in making my decision to travel with Study Abroad Italy. 

4) Talk it over with your parents, friends, and relatives! Let them know what you're up to-sometimes this study abroad business can be full of tough decisions. You might be surprised how much talking through something can help you make a decision!

5) Finances, Finances, Finances. This is truly the most stressful piece of any study abroad experience. Money. Thousands of scholarships are offered each year, and one of the most helpful websites I've found is StudyAbroad.com. Use their Quick Search at the top to find degree-specific scholarships! 

You might find yourself needing to take out a loan for you study abroad semester or year. Don't worry-it's completely worth the stress in the end! To make it easier, the two most legitimate private bank loans I've experienced are SallieMae and CitiAssist. These are especially useful if you are attending a private, non-UA-affliated program.

6) Fill out the "Application to Study Abroad" form and your "Transient Credit" forms. You will receive these when you make your decision to study abroad with the Office of International Programs! Your Application form simply states where you are going, when, and why. This will alert your Advisor and the Dean of your college that you don't need to enroll for classes the semester/year you will be gone and won't boot you out of UA. 

Now, this is where it gets just a little tricky. To my knowledge, if you are traveling through an affiliate program, the courses offered there will automatically transfer as equivalents to major classes offered at UA. All you need to do is fill out the Transient Student Abroad Report stating that you will be receiving credits elsewhere. 

If you happen to not quite find what you're looking for through the University of Akron's like myself, you will have to fill out a Transient Credit form. This lovely piece of paper (which you will become almost TOO well-accquainted with) can be found in the Office of International Programs. Your wonderful Transient Credit form will need to be signed multiple times approving the classes you've chosen to take as equivalents to the classes offered at UA. After it is signed by the correct people (your advisor, program head, etc), you must make copies for each one of them and yourself. Pass them out. 

Getting your credits approved when studying through an alternate program is SO. IMPORTANT. I cannot stress this enough. Students have neglected this step and left it for when they return to UA. Oftentimes, it turns out that the classes they have taken abroad had absolutely no direct equivalency at UA. 

That's right-the credits they earned abroad are no good because no one approved direct equivalency. Who wants to deal with that? If anyone knows how tedious Transient Credit forms are, it's me. However it's procedure and it will make your return so much easier. You will feel immense relief once you get you Transient Credit forms in order.

7) Take all Transient Credit forms to your school abroad. If you are going abroad through an alternate program, you must present those forms and request a transcript to bring back to the States once grades are posted - another important step!!

After you've chosen your program, filled out your forms and gotten ALL the copies, you can begin the fun. By fun I mean collecting papers for your passport, student visa, entry, country information and flight information! Preparing to study abroad in itself is a huge learning experience, and it can sometimes get extremely frustrating. You just have to keep your eye on the prize and push through - it'll all be worth it!