Getting Started With Study Abroad

Peer advisors have been through the study abroad program and have first-hand experience abroad.  They are educated on the various opportunities available to SVSU students and can help to answer questions like:

• Where can I go?
• What programs are available for my major?
• What is it like to live overseas?
• What kind of scholarships and financial aid opportunities are there?
• What is the study abroad application process?

Peer advisors are available to meet in the Study Abroad Office (Wickes 230) Monday-Friday anytime between 8am-4:30pm.  E-mail studyabroad@svsu.edu to set up your appointment today!

Create a study abroad profile that allows you to search and save programs of interest.  If you are new to this site, create a profile here by logging on with your SVSU username and password.

Use the program database to search for a program that meets your needs.
Keep in mind:

• Programs are available for every major offered at SVSU.  Take your General Education classes or some of your upper-level credits and electives abroad.
• Programs range in length.  Programs during the summer and during breaks last anywhere between 1-6 weeks (on average).  Semester-long and year-long programs are also available.
• You do not need to know a foreign language to study in non-English speaking countries.  Programs are available all over the world with courses taught in English.
• You will never be alone on a study abroad program (unless you want to be)!  Most programs will have other American and/or international students who will be along with you.  You'll have the chance to make many new friends - both from the U.S. and abroad!
• You can use ALL of your current SVSU financial aid and scholarship money toward any study abroad program offered.  Additional scholarship money is also available depending on what program you choose!

Applying for a Faculty-Led Program:

1. Find the program on the program search database. 
2. Once you've found the page, click the "Apply Now" button and log on to the system using your SVSU e-mail address and password.
3. After you have successfully logged on to the system, you must complete all of the material submissions and questionnaires before your application will be reviewed.
4. Once your application is reviewed, you will receive an e-mail notification indicating your acceptance status.

Applying for a Semester-Long or Spring/Summer Program (non-faculty-led):

1. Find your program of choice on the program search database and click the "Apply Now" button.  Log on to the system using your SVSU e-mail address and password.
2. Once you have successfully logged on to the system, you must complete all of the material submissions and questionnaires before your application will be reviewed. This serves as your application to the SVSU study abroad program.  Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis.  You will receive an e-mail notification indicating approval once your application has been reviewed.
3. Once you have applied using the SVSU site, you must then apply to the provider or exchange program you wish to participate in.  Many of these applications can be done online through the provider website.  A few of the program applications are paper-based and the Study Abroad Office will notify you of this.
4. Most programs require an official copy of your SVSU transcript. You can request SVSU transcripts online.
5. If you need any documents signed and sent by an advisor or other university personnel, please bring them to the Study Abroad Office and allow at least one week for these documents to be completed and sent.

Submit your application today! Keep in mind the following SVSU application deadlines:

• Fall semester-long programs: April 1st
  
• Winter semester-long programs: October 15th
• Spring/Summer semester programs: February 15th

• Winter break/Spring break faculty-led programs: October 15th 
• Spring/Summer faculty-led programs: December 15th

You will be provided with directions on how to complete the online pre-departure orientation after your SVSU application has been processed and you've been accepted into the program. Orientations are mandatory and cover a lot of important information, including:

• Registration and course credit
• Billing, banking, and financial aid
• Health and safety while abroad
• International health and travel insurance
• Packing and flying
• Communicating abroad
• Culture shock
• and more!