Accepted Students
Congratulations on your acceptance to your study abroad program! Your next steps include:
- Read How the Money Works for Education Abroad slides
- Attend the Pre-Departure Orientation
- Review Prepare To Go Abroad
How the Money Works for Education Abroad
These slides provide important information on billing, payments, and financial aid for your term abroad.
Click here for the slides with links
Questions about finances, payment, and other money topics? Please schedule an appointment with Kate Smith or email her.
Pre-Departure Orientation
Students going abroad are required to attend a Pre-Departure Orientation session that will be held on Zoom. We’ve designed the orientation to be a combination of health and safety information as well as practical tips and stories from returned students. Failure to comply will result in your application being withdrawn, and we will notify your partner program or host university that you no longer have UMass approval to study abroad. Your family members are invited and must have their own Zoom account to log in.
- You are required to attend one of these sessions and attendance will be taken at the end of the presentation. If you are unable to attend due to academic reasons, email your Education Abroad Advisor.
- These sessions are not for students participating on a UMass Faculty Taught Program. You will have a program-specific orientation.
- Your partner program or Exchange university may also have a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation and you are required to attend both.
Savvy Traveler Series
Are you a first-time, novice, or apprehensive international traveler? Check out our Savvy Traveler Series, featuring stories and advice from returned students and Education Abroad staff on a wide variety of topics!
- Flying Internationally
Hear from seasoned pros on what it is like to take an international flight!
- Pack This, Not That
Packing tips from students who have been there. First tip: you need to manage your own belongings!
- Managing your Money Abroad
How to get the most out of your experience abroad with a limited budget.
- Side Travel
Tips for taking advantage of an experience abroad to see new places!
- Staying Connected Abroad
How will I stay in touch with loved ones? What is the best phone plan?
- Livin' La Vida Local
Taking advantage of all that your study abroad location has to offer.
- LGBTQIA+ Travelers Abroad
Hear from returned students about their experiences traveling abroad as a part of the LGBTQIA+ community.
- Race and Ethnicity: Exploring Identities Abroad
Students discuss their personal experiences navigating race and ethnicity abroad.
- Climate-Conscious Travel
Tips for being a more sustainable traveler.
- Personal Safety in a Cross Cultural Context
Stories from returned students about staying safe abroad, and how studying in a different culture impacted their experience. Some students share things they wished they knew before they went abroad (e.g. prevalence of street harassment) and ways to prepare. Special focus will be on female and solo travelers.
This session will not be recorded and will take place in-person.
- Managing Your Mental Health Abroad
This workshop focuses on stories from returned students about their experiences with mental health, and advice for outgoing students. Special guest Beth Prullage, a counselor from the Center for Counseling and Psychological Health (CCPH) will present about strategies for resilience.
This session will not be recorded and will take place in-person.