A student’s guide to Study Abroad
Image from Ghana Study Abroad via Jessie Mazzeo
Study Abroad is a great program that allows students to experience different cultures while allowing them to continue progressing to their degree. Unfortunately, many students do not know where to start when it comes to enrolling in this program. Here is some information that will help you begin your journey with the Study Abroad program here at Geneseo.
Currently, the Study Abroad Department is hosting a virtual course, Study Abroad 101, to help students become more informed about the different programs they offer as well as what program may be right for them; there are three sessions of this course remaining that will be held on Oct. 12, Oct. 19, and Oct. 26 on Zoom. Students can register for these events on the Study Abroad Department homepage at geneseo.edu/study_abroad.
Many students are concerned about the cost of this program, but there are several Study Abroad programs that come out to be around the same price as a semester here at SUNY Geneseo. According to the Price Comparison Sheet provided by the Study Abroad Department, the average cost of a semester here for an in-state student is $15,651, without financial aid; comparatively, the estimated cost for a semester abroad in Costa Rica comes out to $9,837.50. The price does, however, vary from program to program; for instance, a semester abroad in England is estimated to be around $17,352.
Those were just two examples of the many programs offered through Geneseo. SUNY Geneseo offers programs in over 38 different countries. There is a set of criteria that is unique to each program that must be fulfilled, so it is best to find the one that suits your needs.
The process of choosing the perfect program may seem overwhelming to prospective participants, but the Study Abroad Department offers a step by step guide to getting started.
The first step in your study abroad journey is to obtain your passport. Students should complete this task on their own or with guidance through the office; however, it is the student’s responsibility to obtain this. Students must also obtain a visa for certain programs. The Study Abroad Department can help guide you through this process once you have selected a program.
Do your research—with all of the different programs that the college offers, there are going to be some that suit your needs more than others. Geneseo offers both semesters abroad and full-year programs, so it is important to know what you are getting into. By attending study abroad information sessions, you can narrow down your prospective options.
Meeting with your academic advisor is the next logical step. You want to go into this process with the knowledge of what you need to complete course-wise when it comes to your degree. Each study abroad program does have an advisor that will help you in deciding what courses you should be taking in order to advance in your field of study, but meeting with your current advisor to advise them of your plan is important too.
Once you have your academics in order, it is time to learn the basics about your study abroad experience! To do this, you should meet with an intern through the Study Abroad Department. These interns are students who have previously participated in the study abroad program, so they have an idea of what your experience will look like. These interns can also help you decide which program may fit you best if you are still unsure.
At this point in the process, you should have a pretty good idea of what program you want to pursue. Once you select your program, you are assigned a study abroad advisor. This advisor will help you sort out more of the specifics when it comes to the courses you will take and where you may be living.
Once you complete all of these steps, it is finally time to apply. The study abroad applications are available online through the Study Abroad website. There is a $20 application fee in order to ensure you are committed to the program you are applying for. In your application you will need to indicate how long you would like to study abroad and which program you have chosen. Unfortunately, applications to study abroad in the Spring of 2023 semester have already closed, but you can still apply to study abroad in the Fall of 2023! Applications for Fall of 2023 Study Abroad programs open on Jan. 1, 2023 and remain will open until Mar. 1 or 15.
I hope that this information helps you in your journey to study abroad, or maybe even spark an interest in the program you didn’t know you had. Check out the Geneseo Study Abroad website for more information.
