How to create your study abroad timeline?

Before you can start planning your study abroad trip, you have to decide when to do it. When studying abroad will fit best depends on when the classes you need for your degree are offered and what your schedule looks like from semester to semester. If you want to take gen ed classes while you’re away, you’ll want to study abroad early in your college career (within the first couple of years). If you’re going to do an internship, volunteer, or student teaching, you’ll probably want to go toward the end of your four (or five) years. Your academic advisor is a good resource, so discuss your plans with them.

9-12 Months Out: Start thinking about studying abroad early, whether doing research online, talking to friends and classmates who have their own experiences, or going to study abroad fairs and events. Your school may offer programs on satellite campuses or have agreements with international universities, which could make the transfer of credits more seamless. Be sure to ask your advisor. Moreover, Plan out everything in advance. It’ll give you an excellent foundation to work from when you have to start filling in the details closer to your departure. But know that things could change. And if you are going abroad for a while, or if your program fills in a lot of the logistics for you, you certainly don’t have to start figuring things out this early.

8 Months Out: Filling out applications is the first concrete step to studying abroad. You can apply early if you want to get things set in stone. Most programs’ deadlines are four months before your departure, but many offer rolling admission. Most schools will have deadlines similar to universities at home since you still have to register for classes. Any internship or volunteer opportunities will have to connect you with an employer once you apply to the program, so turning in applications the semester before you want to go is a good benchmark. Moreover, this is the correct time period to apply for visas.