Study Abroad
Pre-departure Preparation
Things To Do at UNL
○ Plan your academic program
○ Enroll for study abroad through WAM by "special waiver"
○ Arrange financial aid and scholarships
○ Pay program costs
○ Budget for additional costs of studying abroad
○ Appoint Power-of-Attorney
○ Notify the Housing Office
○ Arrange for Student Services
○ Officially change your address with UNL
○ File your itinerary with International Affairs (IA)
○ File the Media Information Form
○ Provide someone at home with information about your program
○ File copies of your passport and Power-of-Attorney
Travel Preparations
○ Obtain necessary immigration documents
○ Health and medical preparations
○ Make transportation arrangements
○ Purchase the International Student I.D. Card (ISIC)
○ Review your insurance
○ Make arrangements to take sufficient money overseas
○ Plan your packing
While You Are Abroad
○ Keep track of course information
○ Stay in touch
○ If you stay abroad longer than you had planned and need to extend your insurance coverage
○ Enroll for UNL classes for semester after you return
When You Return
○ Complete and submit evaluation report
○ Update your local address with UNL and IA
○ Validate credit when your transcript arrives
○ Organize photos and mementos
○ Get involved with international activities on campus
○ Check in with us
Things To Do At UNL
___ Plan your academic program
Credits earned on study abroad programs may be documented in one of four ways:
A. UNL credits ( group programs - e.g. Architecture in London)
Enroll through WAM for specific UNL credits and pay tuition to UNL for those courses. No transfer of credit is involved.
B. UNK or UNO credits (e.g. Spring Semester in Czech Republic program)
Complete an intercampus-registration form. Enrollment at UNK or UNO is for specific credits. Tuition is paid to UNK or UNO. Work with your academic adviser to know where the credits will count in your degree program. Credits are transferred to UNL and grades are computed into your GPA.
C. Another U.S. accredited institution (e.g. Costa Rica program through U of Kansas)
Enrollment at UNL is on a “special waiver.” No tuition is paid to UNL. Transcripts will be sent to IA, which will forward them to Admissions for transfer to UNL. Contact your adviser to determine applicability of the credits. Colleges determine whether substitution/waiver forms are required. Grades received are not computed into your UNL GPA.
D. A foreign accredited institution (e.g. Keimyung University, University of Amsterdam, etc.)
Enrollment at UNL is on a “special waiver.” No tuition is paid to UNL. Transcripts will be sent to IA. Students will be notified by IA when the transcript arrives and given instructions for transferring these credits to their UNL transcript by departmental validation. Grades received are not computed into your UNL GPA.
There is no automatic transfer of credit. Transfer of credit for courses completed abroad will be issued only upon receipt of an official transcript from the host institution and official validation of course work by a UNL department. Preparing your academic program before departure and following the procedures outlined below while you are abroad will greatly facilitate the process.
1. Before you go
Graduate Students must follow procedures set up by the Graduate Studies Office to have graduate or undergraduate credit transferred to their graduate program.
Undergraduate Students:
a. Meet with your academic advisor to determine what kinds of courses you need to complete your degree.
b. Credit earned during study abroad on UNL or UNL-approved study abroad programs count as resident credit and may be used toward graduation and degree requirements.
c. Study the course catalog from the host institution and/or check the institution’s website for course listings.
d. Choose courses, and alternatives, using the host institution website and compare them with courses offered by UNL. If specific course descriptions are not available, prepare a study plan which indicates the topics and levels which you will seek when you arrive at the host institution.
e. Prepare a Course Approval Worksheet for each course or study plan. The course approval worksheets are designed to help you set up an agreement with a UNL department about the credit you want to receive.
Note: This is not a guarantee, but it will provide you with evidence that your course of study was discussed and given tentative approval before your departure.
f. Meet with designated evaluators in each department issuing credit. Discuss your plans and agree on what the department will expect to see from you and what credits you can expect to receive for your program. The evaluator will then sign the Course Approval Worksheet.
Next take all Course Approval Worksheets to the advising center of the college of your major for signatures.
g. Bring your Course Approval Worksheets to the IA office after you have obtained both signatures. The worksheets will be placed in your file. Keep copies for yourself and file copies in your college dean's office.
Note: You will not register for individual courses at UNL; you will only register for the program.
2. While you are studying abroad
a. All students should remain in contact with their academic advisors while they are overseas.
b. Bring back as many materials as possible which describe and document your course work - for example, course syllabi, papers, tests, textbook titles. These materials are useful when determining the UNL equivalencies.
c. While abroad, request that the host institution send an official document describing your satisfactory completion of course work to IA. The institution may require that you sign a release form. Each institution will have different methods of documenting a student's work, e.g. certificates, transcripts, letters, etc.
Students studying on non-UNL sponsored programs should make sure that transcripts showing credit for work abroad is properly filed through IA as described above.
Note Your transcript or other official document must be sent directly to IA from your host institution. It will not be accepted if you hand-carry it from abroad or if it is mailed to your home. If you want your own personal copy you should request that a second document be sent to your home address.
3. When you return
a. When your transcript is received by IA, you will be notified and asked to make an appointment with IA staff to receive instructions for validating your credits for transfer to UNL. The original copy of the transcript will be sent to Registration & Records, where it will be held in your file until you officially validate the credit.
b. Complete the validation procedure and submit the validation forms to IA. Only after validation forms are filed will credit earned abroad show on your UNL transcript.
Note for non-UNL students: Your transcript will be sent to your home institution upon receipt by IA per your instructions on study abroad application Form A.
4. A final word about transcripts
It often takes several weeks to receive your transcript from abroad. If you need to have your credit transferred soon after your return for senior check or graduation requirements, please contact Christa Joy.
After validation, your official UNL transcript will indicate when and where you studied and the number of credits transferred to UNL. The individual course titles and grades will not be listed. Your academic advisor will have access to the grades, course titles and UNL equivalents.
The transcript becomes part of your permanent record and cannot be released to a third party, for any purpose. Students are responsible for requesting additional copies from the host institution for future personal use, e.g. graduate school applications. IA will not make requests for duplicate transcripts from the host institution.
____ Enroll for study abroad BEFORE you leave
All students who study on UNL-sponsored or approved programs where credit is transferred from an accredited institution abroad or in the U.S. must complete the "special waiver" enrollment through WAM. The "waiver" will keep you in active matriculation at UNL as a full-time student while attending a foreign institution. It is especially important if you will receive scholarships or financial aid. It will facilitate registration and the awarding of credit, defer collection of student loans, and show enrolled status for insurance.
Call numbers and course numbers are assigned to each study abroad program. Your enrollment at UNL will show that you are registered for 15 hours for each semester under a specific program. Please note: this does not mean that you will receive 15 hours of credit for studying abroad. The amount of credit you receive will be assessed after you return and will be based on the work you completed while abroad. Specific courses that you plan to take abroad are not listed.
To enroll:
1. Once confirmed for a program, IA will give you the call number for the “special waiver.” If you will be abroad for more than one semester, register for the first semester. IA will roll-over the registration for the second.
Students on non-UNL sponsored programs will receive the call number once the program has been approved and the $75 administrative fee is paid.
2. You must notify IA in writing if you withdraw from any study abroad program.
For Non-UNL Students: All non-UNL students should apply for admission to UNL through the Office of Admissions as visiting students for the specified term only. You will be responsible for arranging registration, credit transfer and financial aid through your home institution.
____ Arrange financial aid and scholarships
Financial aid and most scholarships apply to study abroad. Students can adjust their financial aid package to reflect study abroad costs. Make a list of the types of financial aid you receive and those for which you are eligible. Pell Grant? Stafford Loans? PLUS Loans? Honor’s textbook? Regents? Kiewit? New Nebraskan? To determine which may apply to study abroad, and how, contact Caroline Routh, Scholarships and Financial Aid Office, 16 Administration, 472-2030.
____ Pay program costs
Full payment is due before leaving for the study abroad program. Each program operates differently in the payment of the various costs of tuition, fees, housing, etc. You are responsible for seeing that the costs are paid appropriately. If you are enrolled in a UNL sponsored study abroad program, IA will provide you with a cost sheet when you are accepted by your study abroad program or shortly thereafter. You will receive regular billings to reflect your program costs and amounts you have paid as they are received.
If you are enrolled in a non-UNL study abroad program, you will be billed for costs by the program sponsor. You will also be billed $75 ($25 for summer programs) for administrative services which IA provides to you, including registration, financial aid transfer, and orientation materials.
Please note: Scholarships, state and federal financial aid for the applicable semester may be transferred to IA to apply toward program costs before processing any refunds to the student. Request a financial aid award letter from Scholarships and Financial Aid to be filed with IA to verify sufficient funds to cover program costs not paid before departure.
____ Budget for additional costs of studying abroad
Beyond program fees, students can anticipate supplemental costs. To determine how much your plans will cost, enabling you to discover ways to stretch your money, ask yourself the following questions:
What is already included in your program? Housing? Meals? Housing and meals during vacations? Extra travel?
Talk to past participants in your program to discover costs you haven't thought about and to find out tips for saving money at your host institution. Work your budget out on paper, looking at an overall cost and then breaking it down into a daily budget. Common expenses for students are:
Immigration. In addition to the cost of the passport itself, students should consider that they will have to obtain official passport photographs ($6-$15 per pair, depending on location of purchase) and pay for postage and return. In addition, many countries will require students to obtain a visa for the length of their program. Costs range from $40 to $400, and may include substantial travel expenses, photographs, postage, etc.
Commuting. University housing or host families could be a considerable distance from classes. For the first time, many students will become experts in utilizing public transportation.
Insurance. Health and accident insurance is included in most UNL program fees. If you are participating in a non-UNL program, you should consider purchasing additional coverage which will apply overseas (available from IA).
Room and board. Depending on the structure of the program, housing benefits may, or may not, be included. This will vary greatly depending on location and type of accommodation chosen. Linens? Pillows? Hangers? etc.
Books and supplies. The cost of text books and supplies varies greatly by country. It may be at least as expensive, if not more so, than in the U.S.
Special fees. As with many UNL courses, such as laboratory, computer, or language, some classes abroad may mean additional costs for students. Inquire with your program provider or directly with the host institution about these expenses.
____ Appoint a power of attorney
It is recommended that all students studying abroad obtain a power of attorney (POA). This will authorize a parent, relative, or close friend to act legally on one's behalf. A POA may legally make all of the decisions and perform all of the actions of an individual, e.g. withdrawing money from a bank or accessing financial records or grades at UNL.
Appointing a POA will require the services of a lawyer. Student Legal Services, 335 Nebraska Union, will assist you in this process for no fee. After completion, bring a copy of the form to IA to be placed in your file. The person you appoint as Power-of-Attorney should keep the original form so it can be copied as needed.
____ Notify the Housing Office
If you are currently living in UNL residence halls and want to live in them when you return, notify the UNL Housing Office and request that you be allowed to retain any seniority that you may have earned. Contact IA and request that staff send Housing a letter verifying that you will be studying abroad.
____ Arrange for Student Services
If your departure is after the beginning of the UNL semester, you can still use UNL student services, student health center, campus recreation, etc. if you arrange to pay student fees to Student Accounts, 106 Admin. Even though you are considered a full-time student at UNL, no part of your study abroad costs include UPFF student fees.
____ Officially change your address at UNL
Make arrangements to receive official university correspondence (housing, financial aid, etc.). Change your mailing address with Registration & Records, 107 Administration. University mailings will not be sent overseas, but to an address in the U.S. to be forwarded to you. It is suggested that you use the address of the person who has your power of attorney rather than an apartment mate, roommate, fraternity or sorority.
____ File your itinerary with IA
Use the "Itinerary And Contact Information" form to give IA details about your itinerary. Your travel dates are required for us to enroll you in the insurance policy which is included in most programs. Be sure you are in communication with your host institution about your time of arrival.
____ File the Media Information Form
The UNL Department of Public Relations will send a press release about your study abroad plans to your hometown newspaper. Return the form to IA.
____ Provide someone at home with information about your program
Leave information at home with your parents (or whomever you've given power of attorney) about who they should contact at UNL if you need assistance with something while you are gone.
____ File copies of your passport and power-of-attorney
File copies of your passport, visa, and POA with IA. Also give your Power-of-Attorney to Scholarships and Financial Aid
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Travel Preparations
____ Obtain necessary immigration documents
Find out what the entry requirements are for the country where you will be studying. At a minimum you will need a passport. Student visa requirements differ depending upon the country to which you are going, the length of your stay and your citizenship. U.S. citizens must obtain a student visa in advance of travel to most countries.
Passport: Apply at the main post office, room 216, 700 R St., Lincoln, 473-1647, Mon. through Fri., 8:30 to 4:15; or at 1124 Pacific, Room 1108, Omaha, 348-2574, Mon. through Fri., 8 to 4. The application requires: 1) the application form, 2) proof of citizenship (certified birth certificate or naturalization papers), 3) two passport photos, 4) identification (driver's license, etc.), and 5) $97.
If you already have a passport, check the expiration date. Your passport must be valid for six months after your anticipated return date. If it is not, you should renew it. You may renew a passport within 15 years of the date of issue if you were at least 16 years old at the date of issue. The cost for renewal is $55.
Application forms for new or renewed passports are available at the main post office or on the following website: http://travel.state.gov/passport. Apply early - processing can take 6-8 weeks!
Passport photos are available at IA. 2 color photos cost $6.00. You'll need 2 photos for your passport, and, depending on your destination, 1-4 for each visa. Some host institutions will also require photos as part of their application process.
Certified birth certificate: If you were born in Nebraska, a copy can be obtained from the Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, 1050 "N" Street, Suite 250 Lincoln, NE 68508, phone (402) 471-7000 Nebraska Department of Health and Human Services, 1313 Farnam-on-the-Mall, 3rd Floor, Omaha, NE 68102-1870, phone (402) 595-2850. The cost of a birth certificate is $12. If you were born outside Nebraska, contact the Bureau of Vital Statistics from your state of birth.
Visa: A visa is a stamp or sticker inside your passport, but can also be electronic, e.g. Australia. It gives you permission to legally enter and remain in a particular country for a specific purpose. It is often required in addition to a valid passport. Request the application for a student visa from your host country's consulate in the U.S. See the consular information sheet provided for contact information or check the following website: http://travel.state.gov.
You will return these forms and your passport to the consulate or embassy of your host country to obtain the visa. Costs and requirements for visas vary by country and by length of program. As with passports, obtaining a student visa can often be a lengthy process; begin early! Visas usually require an acceptance letter from the host institution.
____ Health and medical preparations
Have a physical and dental checkup well in advance of your departure so that you can complete any necessary treatments. Obtain any special vaccinations that may be required. The University Health Center, (402) 472-7463, has information about inoculations and health precautions required for various countries, and can provide the medications required. You won't need any shots if traveling to western Europe, but you should be current on tetanus, measles, polio and hepatitis.
Obtain written prescriptions for any medications you may be taking - written prescriptions are often necessary for identifying legal drugs when entering a country - and be sure to keep medication in the original packaging. Take an extra set of eyeglasses or contact lenses in case of loss or breakage.
Note: Visa applications often require medical statements. Check out your visa application requirements so you can complete those at the same time as your medical exam.
____ Make transportation arrangements
Familiarize yourself with the various travel options open to you and investigate fares. A list of suggestions for student discounted airfare is available from IA. Make arrangements well in advance to obtain the best fares possible.
Rail passes: Train travel in Europe and Asia is popular and is an efficient, comfortable way to get around. There are several rail plans available that can save you money on travel. Information available at IA.
____ Apply for the International Student Identification Card (ISIC)
The ISIC entitles students to free or reduced rates at many theaters, museums, student hostels, etc., and reduced rates on some student tickets for trains, boats, and flights. The ISIC also provides you with minimum coverage for accident and sickness insurance while traveling outside the U.S., and has a 24-hour traveler assistance hot-line. Available from IA.
____ Review your health and accident insurance
Investigate what coverage your current health and accident insurance will provide when you are abroad. Coverage should include medical evacuation and repatriation of remains in the event of death. Insurance is included in most UNL-sponsored programs. However, in some countries, you will be required to purchase that country’s health plan or insurance even if you are covered by a policy in the U.S. If you plan to travel before or after your program, you should consider purchasing additional coverage. Information about health and accident policies especially designed for students abroad is available at IA.
If you purchase insurance from IA, or if your program fee includes insurance, you must provide Study Abroad staff with the dates you are leaving the U.S. and returning to the U.S. You will receive an insurance card and insurance information which you will take abroad.
Note: Insurance companies generally do not pay directly to individuals or organizations outside of the United States. All expenses for doctors, hospitalization, medication, and so on, must be paid out-of-pocket. You will be reimbursed on return only when you present the receipts for the costs that you have incurred.
You are also encouraged to consider a travel insurance policy. These policies cover not only accidental death or injury, but have provisions specifically designed to cover lost baggage or the cost of plane tickets if you should be detained for reasons of sickness or accident.
____ Make money arrangements
Find out what you need to do to obtain emergency funds if necessary. Purchase a small amount of the foreign currency for immediate use upon arrival.
____ Plan your packing
Read the Goodbye section for hints about what you should, and should not, take with you. Check climate information to determine what clothing you will need. Talk with former participants in your program to see what types of clothing they found necessary.
Plan to bring small items typical of the U.S. that can be used as gifts. Take along your own "personal tour packet." Include pictures of your family, of UNL, your dorm, your roommate, the countryside, a map of Nebraska and a small map of the U.S. Take along some favorite recipes so you're prepared if you have an opportunity to entertain.
Check baggage regulations with the airlines. TRAVEL AS LIGHT AS POSSIBLE!
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While You Are Abroad
____ Keep track of course information
See notes on Academic Preparation. Students should also stay in touch with their academic advisors.
____ Stay in touch
Be sure you will have access to email, and that messages from IA will not be filtered to “Junk Mail.”
____ If you stay abroad longer than you had planned, you may need to extend your health insurance coverage. Notify IA staff if we provided insurance for you so that we may extend your coverage.
____ Enroll for UNL courses for the semester after you return
Plan your course needs with your adviser before you leave. Remember your PIN!
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When You Return
____ Complete and submit evaluation report to IA
An evaluation form is available from: http://www.unl.edu/iaffairs/study_abroad/feedback.htm. Your comments will be useful for future study abroad students.
____ Update your address with UNL and IA
Update your local address with the Registration and Records as well as IA. All correspondence will be sent to your last specified address until you update it.
____ Validate credit when your transcript arrives
You will be notified when the transcript from your program is received by IA and will receive instructions on credit transfer at that time.
____ Organize your photos and memories
Keep a log or diary about your activities while you're gone. Organize your photos, etc. for others to see. We hope there will be many opportunities for you to show them off! IA will gladly accept duplicates of your photos for use in promotional materials and a photo contest.
____ Get involved with international activities on campus
Stay involved by interning at IA, become a member of the International Student Organization (ISO), an English Conversation Partner, and participate in orientation for new international students as a Cultural Ambassador.
____ Check in with us
Everyone who helped you prepare for your study abroad is interested in hearing about your experiences -- both the good and the bad! Not only will it "debrief" you and help you put your experiences into perspective, it will help us help students in the future.
Office of International Affairs
University of Nebraska-Lincoln
420 University Terrace
Lincoln, NE 68588-0682
Tel: (402) 472-5358
Fax: (402) 472-5383
E-mail: iaffairs@unl.edu
Web Site: http://www.unl.edu/iaffairs
Where to Find Help at UNL
in Preparing for Study Abroad |
Office and Person to Call:
International Affairs
Web Site: http://www.unl.edu/iaffairs
420 University Terrace
Phone (402) 472-5358
FAX: (402) 472-5383
Email: iaffairs@unl.edu
Christa Joy,
Director of Study Abroad
Mary Snook,
Study Abroad Assistant
Darlene Esser,
Student Accounts |
cjoy@unl.edu
msnook2@unl.edu
desser1@unl.edu |
|
For Help With:
Please begin at IA with all program-related problems.
Program logistics, liaison with host school and UNL administration, travel arrangements, payment of program costs |
Registration Office
17 Administration
Dr. Tony Schkade, Assistant Director
Phone: (402) 472-3635
http://unlsched.unl.edu/nusched/index.jsp |
Registration problems (you should check first with IA about procedures already in place)
Schedule of classes |
Undergraduate Admissions:
12 Administration
Phone: (402) 472-2023 |
Evaluation of foreign transcripts for transfer of credit; assistance in credit validation; non-UNL-sponsored programs for transfer of credit (check first with IA about procedures already in place) |
Graduate Admissions:
1100 Seaton Hall
Barbara Brennan, Assistant to the Dean
Phone: (402) 472-2875 |
Information about transferring graduate credit earned abroad |
Scholarships and Financial Aid Office
16 Administration
Caroline Routh, Asst. Director
Phone: (402) 472-2030
crouth1@unl.edu
Deb Augustyn, Asst. Director
daugustyn1@unl.edu |
Information/application for applying financial aid and scholarships to study abroad programsRegents Scholarship, Honors, National Merit, Keiwit and other scholarship holders to arrange for scholarships to apply to your study abroad program. |
Student Legal Services (ASUN)
335 Nebraska Union (402) 472-3350 |
Assistance in establishing power of attorney |
University Health Center
15th & U (402) 472-7463 |
Information about inoculations and health precautions |
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