Student Resources

Do you have your passport? If you already have a passport, be sure to check the expiration date. Many countries require that your passport be valid for at least 6 months after you plan to arrive.

• Instructions on applying for a passport for the first time
• Instructions on renewing your passport

We guarantee that your study abroad experience will be a life-changing and transformative milestone in your academic career. Such an experience deserves a great deal of thought and planning. When researching your options, consider the following:

• When would you like to go abroad?
• How long would you like to study abroad?
• Do you have a particular destination in mind?
• What is your financial budget?
• Would you like to learn a new language?
• Do you need to fulfill any specific requirements for your major or minor?
• Do you need to fulfill any CORE curriculum requirements?

Refer to the Sister School page to begin researching. You can search for a school by country.

Bring a copy of your unofficial transcript and your degree plan. Note: You must have at a minimum 2.4 GPA. Please refer to the eligibility page to check other requirements.

After reviewing your choices, you should choose which sister school you would like to attend. Each sister school has their own application deadline and may have additional requirements. Please refer to the specific sister school website or ask the Study Abroad Coordinator for more details.

Review your degree plan to determine what courses you will need to take abroad. Take into account whether you will need to fulfill course or major requirements.

Visit with the Coordinator of Study Abroad to obtain the Independent Study Abroad Agreement. The agreement must be submitted prior to the Pre-Departure Session.

Once you have selected your courses, the Study Abroad Coordinator will send the Request to Study Abroad form for electronic signatures via Adobe E-Sign to the following academic and administrative departments:

1. Academic Advisor
   • Ensures that the student is taking courses that adhere to their degree plan.
   • Reviews course outlines from the host institution in order to ensure that the courses are transferable.
2. Department Chair 
   • Reviews course outlines from the host institution in order to ensure that the courses are transferable.
3. Office of the Registrar
   • Verifies academic eligibility.
   • Determines approval or denial of Study Abroad Process for each student.
4. Student
   • Verifies that he/she will enroll in the courses listed. Should a student decide to enroll in a class not listed on the Request to Study Abroad form, the class is not guaranteed to transfer to UIW.

Note: Your request to participate in a study abroad program may be denied, at any point during the process, by any one or a combination of academic or administrative university representative(s) due reasons such as, but not limited to, poor academic performance and/or disciplinary issues. If you have any questions regarding your eligibility to participate in a study abroad program visit with your academic adviser and study abroad coordinator.

Note: Once this form has been submitted to the Office of the Registrar, you will then be registered as a Study Abroad student; however this does not register you for your specific classes at the host university. You will need to register at your host university either by submitting a course request form prior to arrival or during orientation, after arrival.

Note: Step 5 and Step 6 can be completed simultaneously.

Each host institution has their own application procedures. In some cases it is an online application and in other cases you must submit a physical application. Please refer to the host school website or ask the Study Abroad Office for specific details on how to apply and what documents to submit. It is the student's responsibility to ensure that he/she meets the eligibility criteria for the host institution, and to complete and submit the host institution application.

You must have a passport in order to travel outside your home country; however a visa is different than a passport. A visa is like permission to enter a country. Each country has its own visa policy. Depending on the country where you are studying you may be required to obtain a student visa. Please refer to the country's consulate webpage for specific requirements. 
For more information, you refer to the U.S. Department of State website. Go to the Entry/Exit Requirements section in the Country Specific Information for the country you are interested in.

UIW requires all study abroad participants to hold Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) before traveling abroad. The current rate per month is $48.50 (rev. 05/2019). The Coordinator of Study Abroad will order CISI insurance on behalf of study abroad participants prior to the departure date. 

Please note that $1,700 is included in your consortium form for transportation; however the cost of the actual flight and in-country land transportation to/from the airport may be more than this amount. This cost is included in your budget; however, you are responsible for purchasing your flight.

All students are required to attend the Pre-Departure Session prior to studying abroad. For students studying abroad in the summer and fall the Pre-Departure Session will be held in April. For students studying abroad in the spring, the Pre-Departure Session will be held in November.

The Pre-Departure Session includes valuable information on procedures, safety, health, culture shock, keeping in touch, and packing. During this session, you will be asked to submit required documentation (e.g. passport, visa, flight itinerary), if you have not already done so. Parents are welcome to attend.

Enroll your trip with the nearest with the U.S. Department of State. Registration allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency. Benefits of enrolling your trip include:

• Receive important information from the Embassy about safety conditions in your destination country, helping you make informed decisions about your travel plans.
• Help the U.S. Embassy contact you in an emergency, whether natural disaster, civil unrest, or family emergency.
• Help family and friends get in touch with you in an emergency.