We are so excited to support your study abroad journey! To get started, please be sure to complete the Pre-Departure Orientation activities by watching all videos, reviewing slides, and completing all quizzes before 8 AM on Friday, April 28.
Pre-Departure Orientation Slides
Please find here the slides we will review during our in-person Pre-Departure orientation on April 28.
A key part of studying abroad is STUDYING! Review this section for important steps to take at CSUSM and important considerations for academic life at your new host university!
Credit Approval Forms
Please upload your credit approval forms here! You can upload more than one form, which is advised!
We recommend using one credit approval for General Education/Electives and one for major/minor specific courses. This will make for easier routing to your faculty advisor and/or our office.
Financial Aid and Budgeting may not be the most exciting study abroad topic, but it is a super important one. Be sure to use the information in this section to plan ahead!
Let's get practical! Review this section for important tips from packing to securing Visas! The study abroad dream gets closer with every step.
Your health and safety abroad is of utmost importance to all of us. Review this section for some key reminders, tips and considerations for your time abroad.
Culture of Safety Video
A helpful video from UT Global on health & safety while studying abroad!
Hi Students,
We are working through Crisis24 (formerly Drum-Cussac) which offers helpful country guides that give an overview of daily life, health & current safety levels. This information is designed to add to your readiness to travel. : )
Travel safe,
Tiffany
Hi Students,
As mentioned during orientation, part of academic success abroad happens when we understand and adapt to the host culture's grading structure and expectations. Before you write your first paper, please meet with a research librarian who can show you just how to properly cite sources and draft your essays.
The grading scales below are extracted from the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), but should remain fairly similar across programs. A smart move is attaining your country's grading scale from the International Office during your in-country orientation program. Please remember that grades do transfer back, for better or worse, so plan ahead, know faculty expectations, and set your sights on having an excellent academic journey abroad.
Good luck,
Tiffany
S. Korea Grading Scale
Sweden Grading Scale
Please consider signing-up to complete our Global Ambassador Certificate as part of your study abroad experience! We believe this will not only enhance your study abroad experience, but will be great for your personal and professional development, so we really hope you’ll consider this opportunity.
Sign-Up Here for the Global Ambassador Certificate Program
Please be sure to register for this program before May 15. Please note that in total, this is about a 5-10 hour commitment with activities due pre, during & post your study abroad experience!
Step 1: Pre-Program Requirements
Letter to Self
After reading about your region of the world where you are travelling, watching the short overview video and reading over (at least) the "People and Society" topic, please write a letter to your self using what you learned.
This letter should be completed a minimum of one week prior to your departure. We encourage you to share your goals, what you're most excited about, what you hope to accomplish, what makes you nervous -- all while incorporating what you learned from the World 101 video and reading.
We also recommend that you wait until you're back in the U.S. to read the letter you wrote yourself before study abroad so that you can hopefully see all the ways you've changed through this experience.
Step 2: During Program Activities
Photo Forum
To help you gain understanding of your experience, we are requesting the use of pictures during your study abroad experience.
If you're a semester or academic year student, please upload two pictures a month. If you're a short-term student (e.g. Summer), please upload 2 pictures per week.
Then, in addition to your photo upload, please reflect and respond to what you learned from that person, place or experience.
Finally, we'd love to use your photos for our Study Abroad Instagram. If you're interested in sharing your photo, please also clearly write an Instagram Caption that we could use. Please label this Instagram Caption so that we know we have your permission to share the photo.
Post Program Requirements
