EA Accepted Students

Accepted Students

Congratulations on your acceptance to your study abroad program! Your next steps include:

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 Failure to comply will result in your application being withdrawn, and we will notify your partner program or host university that you no longer have UMass approval to study abroad.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.