{"id":55042,"date":"2019-06-04T09:50:25","date_gmt":"2019-06-04T14:50:25","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.northpark.edu\/?page_id=55042"},"modified":"2024-08-28T09:53:25","modified_gmt":"2024-08-28T14:53:25","slug":"preparing-to-study-abroad","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.northpark.edu\/academics\/undergraduate-programs\/study-abroad\/preparing-to-study-abroad\/","title":{"rendered":"Preparing to Study Abroad"},"content":{"rendered":"
[vc_row gap=”30″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1559597878626{padding-top: 0px !important;padding-right: 0px !important;padding-bottom: 0px !important;padding-left: 0px !important;}”][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n
[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_column][\/vc_row][vc_row gap=”30″][vc_column css=”.vc_custom_1559597781552{background-color: #f1f1f1 !important;}”][vc_tta_accordion style=”flat” shape=”square” active_section=”0″ no_fill=”true” collapsible_all=”true” el_class=”brand-blue-lighter” css=”.vc_custom_1559660122602{margin-top: 0px !important;margin-right: 0px !important;margin-bottom: 0px !important;margin-left: 0px !important;padding-top: 40px !important;padding-right: 22px !important;padding-bottom: 10px !important;padding-left: 22px !important;}”][vc_tta_section title=”1. Obtain or Renew Your Passport” tab_id=”1540230682364-e4f3bd60-67eb1559659904567″][vc_column_text]It is imperative that you allow adequate time to receive your new or renewed passport. Please check the State Department website for current processing times.\u00a0<\/em><\/p>\n Passport applications and instructions are available online at the\u00a0US Department of State<\/a> website. If you have any questions please contact the Office of International Affairs located in the Center for Student Engagement, Johnson Center.<\/p>\n Passports must be valid for at least 6 months after the expected return date.<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”2. Student Visa” tab_id=”1559750910169-d5024d5f-5152″][vc_column_text]Certain programs will require you to obtain a student visa in order to enter and\/or study in your host country. The ISEP Country Handbooks<\/a> offers instructions and links to the consulate websites. The consular websites for your host country will provide the most accurate and update information. It is your responsibility to obtain your student visa. Processing time for student visas varies (generally 4+ weeks), so please apply well in advance.<\/strong> If you have any questions or concerns, please reach out to the Office of International Affairs for support.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”3. Attend Orientation” tab_id=”1540230682189-7ac6a363-53341559659904567″][vc_column_text]All students are required to attend pre-departure orientation sessions, led by the Office of International Affairs. These orientations will cover health and safety abroad, as well as academic and cultural adjustment. Accepted study abroad students will receive more information about upcoming session dates and times.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”4. Consult Campus Resources” tab_id=”1540230682626-34cf4482-df341559659904567″][vc_column_text css=”.vc_custom_1688135257061{padding-top: 16px !important;padding-right: 22px !important;padding-left: 22px !important;}”]As you prepare to study abroad, you may find it helpful to consult the following 蹤獲扦 offices:<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”5. Health, Vaccinations, & Medication” tab_id=”1559751250409-d6b71463-2067″][vc_column_text]<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”6. Purchase Study Abroad Health Insurance” tab_id=”1724444240304-472ea0be-5010″][vc_column_text]All 蹤獲扦 students on a study abroad program (except for ISEP) are required to purchase the GeoBlue Study Abroad Health Insurance plan. You will self enroll in the plan and make a payment through the GeoBlue website.<\/p>\n Insurance Policy<\/a><\/p>\n Member Guide<\/a><\/p>\n Health Insurance Sign Up<\/a>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”7. Get Courses Approved” tab_id=”1559752509512-93f93cc6-b249″][vc_column_text]If you are studying abroad on an ISEP, CCCU, or 蹤獲扦 Exchange, you will need to get your courses approved to transfer back to 蹤獲扦. We suggest getting additional courses approved, in case you’re not able to enroll in your first choice courses abroad. It is normal to change courses once you arrive to your host site, and you can submit course transfer forms after your program begins.<\/p>\n Course Transfer Form<\/a><\/p>\n Complete this form for each course you take abroad and submit to the Office of International Affairs. We will then submit to the Records Office on your behalf once you have finalized your course schedule abroad.\u00a0All courses you take abroad will transfer back to 蹤獲扦 and your grades will be factored into your undergraduate GPA.\u00a0<\/strong>[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”8. Purchase a Flight” tab_id=”1559751652391-184fea6a-4424″][vc_column_text]You can search for and purchase flights online with sites such as: Kayak<\/a>, Google Flights<\/a>, Student University<\/a>, STA Travel<\/a>, and many more.\u00a0Note: North Park does not specifically endorse any of these websites.\u00a0 <\/em>We recommend that you set up an automatic flight price alert as soon as possible so you’ll be alerted when your desired route price drops.[\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”9. Research Your Country” tab_id=”1559752233868-79a3650e-404f”][vc_column_text]Check out the following resources:<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”10. Budgeting & Banking” tab_id=”1559752530132-7cbfcb47-8fb4″][vc_column_text]It’s important to set a budget before you go abroad. You’ll also want to notify your bank and credit card companies that you’re traveling. Here’s a few resources:<\/p>\n [\/vc_column_text][\/vc_tta_section][vc_tta_section title=”11. Cell Phones & Packing” tab_id=”1559751237869-bdfd5e4c-be4f”][vc_column_text]Research on your location will inform your packing list. Here’s one article<\/a> that offers some advice on packing light.<\/p>\n\n
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