What you need to know about
study abroad

The year before you leave, you should do the following:

1. See the Study Abroad Advisor when you think that you might want to study abroad. Dr. King will help you pick a program that matches your academic and extra-curricular interests.

2. See your academic major advisor to plan your four-year course of study. An early visit to your advisor will help you plan for the courses you’ll need when you return.

3. See the Director of Financial Aid to take advantage of all financial aid opportunities. You will need more personal funds while abroad for airfare, sightseeing, food, souvenirs, and books. Please plan with the Director of Financial Aid, Ms. Peggy Collins. Keep in mind that in order to apply your financial aid toward study abroad, Converse must enter into consortium agreements with your institution abroad. These agreements require Converse to accept all grades from the institution abroad as Converse grades.

4. Apply early to your program of choice. This process always take longer than you anticipate.

5. Apply for your passport.


The semester before you leave you should do the following:

6. At pre-registration, complete the pre-registration sheet with the name of the program, its address, and the phone number and address of the program administrator. Summer study abroad participants should complete the “Application for Reception of Credit from Another Institution” form in the Registrar’s Office.

7. Secure all visas. Many countries require visas if you are planning to study there. Check the website for the embassy of the country you will visit for forms and information on visa requirements.

8. Purchase a guide. Most guides sold at bookstores are adequate: Lonely Planet, Let’s Go, for example.

9. Purchase a CIEE (Council for International Educational Exchange) student ID card. This card provides many reductions and services for students. Or purchase trip evacuation insurance independently or through the program you have selected. (http://www.isecard.com/)

10. Contact your health insurance provider about your plans to study abroad. Some providers cover you fully while abroad, and some charge a supplement. In any case, you are responsible for knowing the rules for your provider and complying with them.

11. Purchase your ticket, but make sure that you have asked your program representative if the program sponsors a group charter flight from the U.S. 

12. Contact Campus Life about your study abroad plans. Remember that Converse policies and the Honor Code apply to you while abroad in addition to the institution abroad's policies.

13. Read the letters from the Director about the risks and responsibilities associated with studying abroad.

Letter to Students
Letter to Parents

14. Contact your family doctor about your study abroad plans. After you and your doctor review the requirements and suggestions from your county health department and your own medical history, decide together which immunizations make sense for you. Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747); fax 1-888-CDC-FAXX (1-888-232-3299), or via CDC’s Internet site. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad consult the World Health Organization’s website. Further health information for travelers is available at http://www.who.int/ith. 


Before you depart you should:

14. Email your itinerary to Dr. King at Jeri.King@Converse.edu. Please include the airline’s name and flight numbers.

15. Make several photocopies of the first page of your passport with your picture and keep it at home with your family members. Keep another copy with you in a safe place.

16. Make sure that you have a debit card in your own name. Take some travelers’ checks just for insurance. Never pack passports, credit cards or money in your suitcase.

17. Check the state department website for up-to-date information including travel advisories and cautions about your destination.


While abroad you should make sure that you do the following things:

18. Attend class. Grades from the study abroad institution will count on your grade point average in most cases. Attending class and taking good notes are the most important things you should do to guarantee success. In the event you wish to question your grade or credit awarded, your notes document your assiduousness and the course content.

19. Email Dr. King that you have arrived and confirm the courses you are taking.

20. If you have any problems with your program, please let us know immediately. Many problems can be fixed when you speak up immediately.

21. Keep a journal. If you have any complaints or any questions about grades or credits, a journal and your notes provide your advisors with a record.

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phone: 800-766-1125  email: admissions@converse.edu 

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