Checklist

Register for your chosen program. This lets the Center for International Education know of your plans to participate in an Education Abroad program so we can assist you along the way.

Apply to your specific education abroad program. Deadlines and requirements vary, so be sure to explore your program’s specific process. Consult your program’s website for more information.

• Confirm your acceptance directly with your program by submitting their required documents and payments.

• Send a copy of your acceptance letter or forward your acceptance email to CIE.

• Submit a Study Abroad Course Approval Form outlining the courses you plan to take while abroad and how you would like them applied for transfer credit (instructions included on the form).
• Turn in an initialed and signed Assumption of Risk and Release from Liability Agreement to CIE.

• Complete the International Emergency Contact Information form to provide UMW with information needed to contact you in the event of an emergency.

• Turn in a signed Medical Information Disclosure Form to CIE.

• Fulfill your Beyond the Classroom or Diverse and Global Perspectives requirement while studying via the Study Abroad General Elective Contract. This form must be submitted to CIE prior to studying abroad. The General Education Committee does not honor requests for retroactive BTC or DGP credit.

• Submit a Course Registration Planning Tool request (optional). Students who plan to be abroad for a semester or year will need to register for the following term’s UMW courses while abroad. Each student is responsible for their own registration. If, however, you are unable to register for courses during your registration period, upon request CIE can register you in your courses through this tool. Please contact CIE prior to your registration period to request this service.

Forms can be submitted to CIE via email (cie@umw.edu) or via the Canvas page for students participating in semester-length programs.

• Check on your passport. If you don’t already have a passport, apply for one immediately.

• Obtain a visa, if necessary. Consult the U.S. State Department’s Traveler’s Checklist to determine whether you need a visa for your program. Consult your destination country’s embassy website for the most up-to-date visa requirements. Your education abroad program should be able to provide assistance in this area, CIE can provide a letter if needed.
• Establish insurance by providing your exact travel dates to CIE. UMW requires all students to have comprehensive international health and medical insurance while studying abroad. Coverage must include emergency extraction for natural disaster or political events, as well as repatriation of mortal remains. These coverages are beyond what the typical US health insurance policy covers and are available through UMW’s contract health insurance provider, iNext.
  • Some education abroad providers include international health insurance as part of the program cost; you may show proof of such inclusion to CIE and be exempted from UMW’s health insurance. All other students will be enrolled in UMW’s international health insurance plan and your student account will be billed for the insurance fee.
• Familiarize yourself with conditions that could affect your health while abroad through the Centers For Disease Control website.
• Register online for the Department of State’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program.

You are responsible for arranging your own transportation unless you are participating on a program with a group flight. You must arrive at your education abroad location on the day the program begins. This is usually referred to as your “Arrival Date” in communications from your program.

Pre- or post-program travel is optional as long as program dates are respected.

• Attend a Pre-Departure Orientation Session. Sessions are presented by CIE and are mandatory for all students studying abroad. Held in mid-April for summer and fall Education Abroad students, and mid-November for spring and winter break Education Abroad students. The date, time and location of these meetings will be communicated to you.

• File an Intent to Vacate form with Residence Life before the semester of your education abroad program. This ensures that you are not charged for housing while abroad but that, if desired, you have a room waiting for you upon return to campus.

• Cancel UMW courses, if necessary. If you registered in UMW courses as a back-up, you must cancel those courses before you leave for your study abroad program. Pick up a Course Cancellation Form at the Registrar’s Office, or submit an email from your UMW email to the Registrar stating that you are studying abroad and want your course registration cancelled.
• Pay your UMW bill via EaglePay, including any insurance fees and the Education Abroad Fee. Contact UMW Student Accounts at umwbills@umw.edu with questions.
• Pay your education abroad provider bills according to their policies and timelines.