Study Abroad Planning Tools

Preparing to Study Abroad

There are many ways in which you can have an international experience, from a ten day study tour, to summer courses or internships abroad, to studying at a partner university for a semester or academic year. You can get to destinations all around the world, either by going through ACES, another college on campus, the Study Abroad Office or a third party provider. The ACES Study Abroad Handbook gives you Top Picks by Country, Top Picks by Major, and lots of other resources for finding the right program. 

Do plan ahead. Here is how to prepare:

• Know your options! Search for programs here or at www.studyabroad.uiuc.edu.
• Visit a study abroad fair at the Illini Union. Next one: end of January 2010 from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m.
• Go to the Study Abroad Office (SAO) reference room in 115 ISB (910 S. Fifth Street).

Attend a First Steps Meeting

Mondays through Fridays at 4 pm

303 English Building

• Meet with Dean Bohn in 109 Mumford Hall. To set up an appointment contact abohn@illinois.edu, 333-3380.
• Check out the announcement board in the first floor of Mumford Hall.
• Subscribe to the SAO newsletter (send an email to listserv@listserv.uiuc.edu, in the message portion of the email write “subscribe studyabroad-L” followed by your full name).
• Talk to students who have already studied abroad.
• Find out about scholarship opportunities.
• Talk with friends and family about your plans to study abroad; get their support.
• Apply for a passport or have your old one renewed
• Be adventurous, challenge yourself, stretch your potential!

Cultural Preparation for Study Abroad

• There are many webresources to prepare for study abroad. Among others, check out http://www.culturecrossing.net/.
  

Passport Information

For instructions see: http://travel.state.gov/passport/get/first/first_832.html.

Download the application at www.travel.state.gov or pick one up at the Champaign Post Office.

If this is your first passport you will need to have with you:

• Birth certificate — certified by the county or state in which you were born
• 2 current passport photos
• Valid drivers license
• Application — completed but not signed
• 2 checks

If you have had a passport previously you will need:

• Expired passport
• 2 current passport photos
• Valid drivers license
• Application — completed but not signed
• 2 checks

Passport Photo Information

The following locations provide photograph services in accordance with the State Department requirements: