Getting Started

Overview and Orientation

Study abroad is an individual and personal experience and it is important to find the program and destination that is a good fit for you.

Before you go, it is important to determine your academic and personal goals for studying abroad.
What do you want to achieve while studying abroad?
What do you want or need to study?
Which universities are best suited to your degree requirements and foreign language skills?
What geographical considerations do you have when seeking a program?

Each institution may have slightly different eligibility requirements for studying abroad. Make sure you are eligible to participate in a study abroad program by contacting an academic advisor at your institution and by visiting your institution's Study Abroad website. Participating BCSAC institution's study abroad websites and advisor contacts can be found on the Find a Study Abroad Program page.

Research, Research, Research

Once you have chosen potential study abroad programs, make sure you learn as much as you can about each destination university and country.

Students who have returned from study abroad programs can be an excellent resource for those seeking advice on where to go and which destination institution to attend. Ask the Study Abroad advisor at your home institution if there is a Study Abroad Information Session or if there are previous study abroad participants who you can contact to find out about their experience.

Research the country, city and university you plan to attend on the internet and in travel guides available in libraries and bookstores. Visit the Where in the World Should You Go? section of this website to find internet sites with information about destinations around the world.

You can also get up-to-date information on the local news of your destination destination by visiting the following website: www.nettizen.com/newspaper.

Study Abroad Information and Pre-Departure Sessions

Most destination institutions will offer study abroad information sessions and organize mandatory pre-departure meetings. Both of these sessions are a great way to gain answers to many of your questions and to help you ensure that you have things in order before you depart. Sessions will help you prepare for challenges you may face while abroad and attending school advisors and past study abroad students can answer many of your questions about living in a foreign country.

You will be given resources to assist with your research on everything from passport and visa application processes to travel medical insurance and electricity adaptors. Advisors will challenge you to reflect upon your decision and reasons for wanting to participate in a study abroad program. Some questions you may be asked to consider may be:

• Have you chosen the right program for your needs?
• Are you mentally and financially equipped to study abroad?
• Have you researched the culture and history of your destination country?
• Have you arranged for adequate medical health insurance and safety while abroad?
• Are you prepared to leave your family and friends for an extended period of time?
• Do you understand and are you prepared for the effects of culture shock and reverse culture shock?
• Are you up for the challenge of living in an unfamiliar environment with potentially different social and political views?

It is important to always remember that while studying abroad you are representing your country and your university. Impressions about Canada and Canadians will be passed along through connections that you make. Again, it is your responsibility to make your study abroad experience a successful one.