On this page you will find all of the information you need to prepare for your upcoming study abroad program.

Preparing to study abroad is a process but you are not alone! This guide is a reference for the questions you may have related to your upcoming experiences, whether that is planning or information you'll need while abroad.

Forms

Budgeting & Finance

Spending Money Abroad

Practical Information

Student Responsibilities 

Health

Safety

Culture

Additional Resources

Returning to The United States

Contact Info

This section is meant to help you understand the forms that you are responsible for filing out on VIA. 

• Learning Module on required forms
• Step-by-step Multifactor Authentication setup
• Don't have a passport yet? Check out our resource for Applying for a Passport
• Policies for withdrawing and refunds

This section is meant to help provide you with resources to understand and manage the financial pieces of study abroad whether that is the planning process before you go, including financial aid, scholarships, and budgeting. 

• View the timeline and requirements for paying for your trip
• View Deferment Plans if necessary 
• How to fund your faculty-led program
• Learn how to budget for your personal spending during your study abroad experience.
• Resources and making an appointment with the Financial Aid Office 
• Learn about scholarships for study abroad
• When will my financial aid be released to me? Check out release dates for your financial aid

This section helps you understand how to access and manage your personal spending abroad.

• Tips on Spending Money Abroad
• Have an iPhone? Here's a quick way to calculate currency conversions
• Money Tips and Taking Money Abroad

This section provides pre-departure resources and practical tips you'll need to know and things you'll need to do before you go and while you are abroad.

• Packing tips for study abroad
• Before you go, set up Multi-factor Authentication to be able to use and access your GVSU accounts while abroad.
• Learning about transportation while abroad
• How to respond to travel mishaps
• Using electronic devices abroad
• Tips for living with a host family

Be aware of what GVSU and PIC expect of you as a study abroad student.

• Student Academic and Behavioral Expectations
• Student Social Expectations
• GVSU Student Code of Conduct
• Review the Participant Responsibilities for Health and Safety Abroad
• If you plan on traveling independently during your program, review the Independent Travel Module

Faculty-Led Study Abroad Program Student Participation Policy

Orientation Attendance and Required Documentation

Participation in faculty-led study abroad programs requires timely completion of all pre-departure requirements. These requirements are essential to ensure student preparedness, safety, and compliance with institutional and international regulations.

Mandatory Orientation Attendance
All students are required to attend all scheduled pre-departure orientations -- minimum of four (4). These sessions provide critical information regarding health and safety, academic expectations, travel logistics, and cultural preparation.

Required Forms and Documentation
Students must complete and submit all required forms and documentation by the stated deadlines. This may include, but is not limited to, medical forms, liability waivers, emergency contact information, passport documentation, and program-specific materials.

Failure to Comply
Students who fail to attend required orientations or do not submit all required forms by the designated deadlines will be considered non-compliant with program requirements.

Program Removal and Financial Responsibility
Non-compliant students will be removed from their faculty-led program. Removal under these circumstances will result in forfeiture of all program fees and payments. No refunds will be issued.

By committing to the faculty-led study abroad program, students acknowledge and agree to adhere to this policy.

Your health and wellness are very important to consider when you go abroad. This section will help you understand your required international health insurance through GVSU and other logistical considerations for your health and wellness before you go and while you are abroad.

• Learn about your international health insurance - Insurance registration is required for everyone studying abroad at GVSU
• Information on health abroad and recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control (CDC)
• Taking medications abroad and preparing if you plan to take prescription medications abroad
• If your program requires vaccines for travel, your faculty director will inform you
• Learn about Relationships and Sexual Health Abroad
• Learn about how to prioritize your mental health while abroad
• Important considerations regarding COVID-19

Your safety abroad is very important to us. A little preparation before you leave goes a long way. This section will give your resources and tips around staying safe while abroad.

• Learn about Being Safe Abroad
• Tips to Stay Safe Abroad
• Inform yourself about Sexual Violence
• Check out the Travel Advisories for your destination
• Check out the FBI brochure on safety and security abroad
• Review the Participant Responsibilities for Health and Safety Abroad
• Learn how to Stay Safe on Public WIFI
• Identity Abroad

Immersing yourself in a new culture abroad is one of the most exciting things about studying abroad. This section will help prepare you on topics such as navigating cultural differences, culture shock, and how to stay open-minded and embrace the new culture around you.

• What is culture shock and how to navigate it
• More information about culture shock
• Find cultural information for countries represented by GVSU programs
• Access CultureGrams country guides for extensive cultural information
• Explore the Nations Online Project for comprehensive country-specific information
• Check out general cultural value differences to prepare for your travel
• Utilize the Hofstede country comparison tool to compare cultural differences between countries

This section is full of additional resources such as the Pre-Departure Checklist and resources related to identity abroad.

• Check out the GVSU Pre-Departure video for study abroad tips from students
• Access resources and information for students of color
• Find resources and information for LGBTQIA+ students
• Access information for women studying abroad
• Learn about resources for students with disabilities 
• Access information for veterans
• Find information and resources for non-traditional students
• Hear from GVSU students about their experiences abroad
• View the Students Abroad Handbook from the Center for Global Engagement

Find resources for students returning from study abroad.

You may continue to use this page as a resource before, during, and after your program. Please feel free to stop by the Padnos International Center (LOH 130), contact your faculty director, or email one of the contacts below.

Kirsten Bartels, PhD

Coordinator of Faculty-led Study Abroad Programs

[email protected]