Simple Steps to Study Abroad

International Education

Oakland University
O'Dowd Hall, Room 328
Rochester, MI 48309-4482
248-370-2889
ie@oakland.edu

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Simple Steps to Study Abroad

1. Visit the OU International Education website for an overview and description of available Study-Abroad programs. When researching programs, it may be helpful to determine your goals and priorities: what are your academic goals? what are your personal goals? what resources are you looking for? when will you be able to go abroad? We have a wide variety of programs to choose from.

Use the interactive map or the study-abroad program search engine to explore available programs and narrow your search by region, by discipline, or by semester. You will find specific information about the programs including location, program length, courses of study, and housing.

To learn more about the programs, read stories from abroad and view photos in the gallery.

2. Create an online account. To begin the study abroad advising process, create an account. The account set-up is the first step in the application process and gets you into our system so that we can assist you.

3. Attend an information session at the OU International Education/Study Abroad Office to help determine the country/program that is right for you. Meet with a student adviser or staff adviser to learn more about study-abroad programs available through OU and how to go about preparing to study abroad. Student advisers have open walk-in hours in the International Education office in 160 North Foundation Hall.

It's best to let us know when you'll be coming in. If you find a convenient time on the walk-in schedule, please email Shirley Campbell to let us know; if you can't find a convenient time on the walk-in schedule, email Shirley and she'll set you up with an appointment.

You probably have many questions about study abroad:

Where can I go?
What can I study?
Where will I live?
What is it like to live in another country?
How can I fund my study abroad?
At your first meeting with an adviser, you will get answers to many of your questions, and started on the path to studying abroad. The adviser will give you basic information, show you resources, and help you start the study abroad process. An adviser may also provide you with a list of students who recently studied abroad and are happy to share their experiences with you.

4. Meet with your faculty adviser(s) to determine how your proposed study abroad will fit into your degree program. You need to work out a multi-year schedule so that you can see how your time away will fit in and how to keep making progress toward your degree while away.

5. Apply for OU approval to study away, and then then submit your application for your program by the deadline. Start the application process early and plan ahead! Your first step is to complete the application for approval to study away on this website. Once you've been approved by OU to apply to your program, you'll go on to complete the application for the program you've chosen. Allow plenty of time to complete applications, write essays, gather faculty recommendations, and gather course credit approvals. Check your application deadlines online.

6. If you wish to apply for financial aid, including loans, meet with the financial aid department after you've been accepted by your program and have determined how much it will cost. All students can apply for financial aid to study abroad. Schedule an appointment with a financial adviser in the Financial Aid department.

7. Choose your courses and meet with department advisers to set up OU equivalent courses. Advisers will make sure that your study abroad classes meet your course and curriculum requirements.
8. Register for OU courses. While studying abroad, you are an Oakland University student so you are required to register for your study abroad courses at OU. The advisers with whom you consult will create sections of OU courses for you on SAIL. You need to register for those courses and then drop off the completed Course Worksheet in the International Education office.

9. Attend the Study Abroad pre-departure orientation. All students accepted by study abroad programs are encouraged to attend a pre-departure information session. Important information regarding academics, health and safety, travel, and cultural adjustment will be covered. You will have an opportunity to meet other OU students who are preparing to study abroad as well as hear from students who have recently returned from abroad
10. Book your flight and register with the OU International travel registry. Register with the OU International travel registry online. Enjoy the most incredible experience of your life!

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