Planning Your Trip
Planning & Policies For Students
Planning Your Education Abroad Experience
Studying abroad is an exciting opportunity to explore the world, gain valuable academic and professional experience, and create memories that will last a lifetime. The key to a successful experience is planning ahead.
To simplify the process, we've outlined 9 steps to guide you from application to returning home. Following these steps will help you stay on track with important deadlines, complete required paperwork, prepare for your time abroad, and ensure your credits transfer back to SCSU after your program ends.
We encourage students to start planning early, ask questions, and take advantage of the resources available through the Center for International Studies.
How to Move Forward with a Program
Step 1: Submit Your SCSU Education Abroad Application
Ready to start your study abroad journey? Browse available programs and select the one that's right for you. Then, click the "Apply Now" button on your chosen program page to complete your application through the SCSU Application Portal.
Submitting your application is the first step toward studying abroad and allows the Education Abroad Office to begin working with you throughout the process.
Application Deadlines
- Spring Semester: October 1
- Fall Semester: March 1
Tip: Apply early! Starting your application well before the deadline gives you more time to complete the next steps, plan your academics, explore scholarships, and prepare for your experience abroad.
Not sure which program is right for you? The Education Abroad Office is happy to help you explore your options and find a program that fits your academic, personal, and career goals. Meet with a Global Mentor to discuss options!
Step 2: Meet with your Academic Advisor
While the nomination process is underway, schedule a meeting with your academic advisor. This is an important step in planning your study abroad experience and ensuring the courses you take abroad align with your academic goals and graduation timeline.
Your advisor can help you identify courses that fit your degree requirements and guide you through the credit transfer process before you leave.
During this meeting, you can:
- Discuss course options available at your host institution.
- Determine how courses may transfer back to SCSU.
- Review degree requirements and confirm you're staying on track for graduation.
- Identify backup course options in case schedules change after arrival.
- Complete any required academic approval forms.
- Visit the Academic Planning page for additional information and resources.
Planning ahead with your advisor can help you make the most of your study abroad experience while continuing to make progress toward your degree.
Step 3: Complete SCSU Application and “commit” to program
After submitting your SCSU Education Abroad application, be sure to commit to your selected program in the application portal. Committing lets the Education Abroad Office know that you intend to move forward with the program and begins the next steps in the process.
Once you commit:
- The Education Abroad Office will nominate you to your host university.
- Your host university will review your nomination and, once accepted, send instructions for completing their application requirements.
- You'll begin working through additional steps such as academic planning, financial preparation, and pre-departure requirements.
Important: Check your email regularly, including your spam or junk folder. Both SCSU and your host university will use email to communicate important information, deadlines, application instructions, and next steps.
Staying on top of your email is one of the best ways to ensure a smooth application process and avoid missing important deadlines.
Carefully follow all application instructions and submit any required documents before the host university's deadline. Completing this step is essential to receiving your official acceptance and preparing for your time abroad.
Important: Regularly check the email address you used when applying, including your spam or junk folder. Your host university will use this email to send important updates, application instructions, acceptance information, housing details, course registration information, and other next steps.
Missing a deadline or email may delay your acceptance, so be sure to monitor your email throughout the application process.
Studying abroad is an investment in your education, and there are many resources available to help make it affordable. Early planning can help you understand the costs of your program and identify funding opportunities to support your experience abroad.
We encourage you to connect with the Financial Aid Office and begin researching scholarship opportunities as soon as possible.
This is a great time to:
- Review your financial aid options and understand how your aid may apply to your study abroad program.
- Explore and apply for available study abroad scholarships.
- Create a budget that includes program costs, airfare, meals, personal expenses, and other travel-related costs.
- Develop a financial plan that helps you prepare for a successful experience abroad.
Important: The earlier you start planning, the more opportunities you'll have to secure funding and make your study abroad experience affordable and stress-free.
Meeting with an Education Abroad Program Manager is an important step in the process. We'll help confirm that all required paperwork and program requirements have been completed so you can confidently move forward with your program.
During your appointment, we can also help you:
- Get answers to any remaining questions about your program.
- Review visa, passport, or immigration requirements (if applicable).
- Discuss travel logistics and finalize your flight plans.
- Review important pre-departure requirements and deadlines.
- Make sure you're fully prepared for a successful experience abroad.
Schedule a meeting with the Education Abroad Office today. We look forward to helping you prepare for your adventure abroad!
Step 7: Attend Pre-Departure Orientation
Before you depart, you'll participate in a required Pre-Departure Orientation alongside other students preparing to study abroad.
This orientation is designed to help you feel confident, prepared, and ready for your international experience. You'll learn important information about living, studying, and traveling abroad while connecting with fellow students who are also preparing for their journey.
Topics covered include:
- Travel preparation and safety
- Cultural adjustment and living in a new environment
- Managing your finances abroad
- Health, wellness, and emergency resources
- Important policies, responsibilities, and expectations
- Resources available before, during, and after your program
Important: Attendance is required for all study abroad participants. Orientation dates will be communicated with you through the Education Abroad Office.
By the end of the orientation, you'll have the tools, resources, and knowledge needed to make the most of your education abroad experience and travel with confidence.
Step 8: Share Your Experience While Abroad
While you're abroad, we'd love to see your adventure unfold!
Send photos and short updates to the Education Abroad Office so we can feature your experience on our website and social media channels. Sharing your story helps future students learn what studying abroad is really like and inspires others to explore international opportunities.
Ideas for photos include:
- Campus life
- Host city or country highlights
- Cultural experiences
- Excursions and travel
- You and your new friends from around the world
We would love to hear from you! Email your photos and information to educationabroad@stcloudstate.edu
Step 9: Request Your Official Transcript
As your program comes to an end, be sure to follow your host university's instructions for sending an official transcript to St. Cloud State University. This transcript is required before your study abroad credits can be processed and added to your SCSU academic record.
Remember:
- Transcript delivery can take 2-4 months after your program ends.
- Credit evaluation and posting may take additional time once the transcript is received.
- Meet with your academic advisor after your credits are posted to verify they have been applied correctly toward your degree requirements.
Taking this final step will help ensure you receive credit for the coursework you completed abroad and stay on track for graduation.
Additional Planning Information
Education Abroad Policies
Participating in an education abroad program comes with important responsibilities. Before departure, students are expected to review and understand all program policies, including conduct expectations, payment deadlines, cancellation policies, health insurance requirements, and other program-specific guidelines. These policies are designed to help ensure a safe, successful, and rewarding experience abroad.
Students will receive program-specific policies within their Education Abroad application and are responsible for following the policies of St. Cloud State University, their host institution, and the laws of their host country.
Questions about any policy?
Contact the Education Abroad Office at educationabroad@stcloudstate.edu for assistance.
Student Code of Community Standards
Students on education abroad are subject to the laws in the foreign country they are studying in as well as the policies on the university campus in which they are studying. They are also subject to the St. Cloud State University Student Code of Community Standards.
Enrollment Agreement and Contract Policies
When applying for education abroad, students sign an Enrollment Agreement and Contract form which they are to abide by and understand while abroad.
Cancellation Policies
Cancellation from a program should be discussed with a member of the Education Abroad staff. Students will pay any unrecovered costs that have been paid by the Center for International Studies. This could be up to the full program fee cost. This may include airfare, tour costs, and any other costs paid out for the program on the students’ behalf. If the student cancels within 60 days of departure, an additional fee of $250 will be assessed.
Education Abroad has a force majeure clause in its contracts. If there is an extraordinary event such as war, an epidemic, pandemic, acts of terrorism, or natural disaster, the University may cancel an education abroad program.
Students will be reimbursed any recoverable costs in these situations. Because not all costs are recoverable, this means students could incur a financial loss. Students are encouraged to purchase travel insurance for unforeseen personal situations, but travel insurance will not cover situations such as war, an epidemic, acts of terrorism, or a natural disaster.
Payment Policy
All program fees, including tuition and all costs associated with the program, will be paid prior to departure. If financial aid is covering the program and tuition costs, the financial aid needs to be accepted two weeks prior to departure.
Health Insurance Policy
The required health insurance policy has been established for the benefit and ease of students traveling. The insurance policy is from GeoBlue International Insurance.