Office of International Education  
 

Where do I begin?

  1. Attend a study-abroad information session:  These sessions will provide you with up-to-date information on how to find a study-abroad program that is right for you, how to pay for that program, and what steps you need to take to make studying abroad a reality.  (Sessions are offered during the first week of each month during the school year.)
     

  2. Research a program that is right for you:  Research programs available for your destination or field of study by exploring SMCM study-abroad programs; by searching such study-abroad search engines at www.studyabroad.com or www.goabroad.com; by visiting the International Education Library; by reviewing “Where have other SMCM students studied abroad?,” or by talking with your adviser, faculty members, IE adviser, or classmates. Some students have also completed study-abroad program evaluation forms that provide details about their individual programs.  These evaluations are available in the IE office.  For additional advice on what to look for in a study-abroad program, see the How to Choose a Program Web page. 
     

  3. Make an appointment with an IE adviser: To make an appointment, call the Office of International Education at x4202.  At this meeting, the adviser will assess both your eligibility to participate in a study-abroad program and your international education objectives.  This meeting will also provide you with the opportunity to ask specific questions about your study-abroad plans.

What application materials must I complete?

SMCM students need to complete the following forms to have their study abroad approved:

These forms are due to the Office of International Education by March 1 if studying abroad during the summer or fall, and by October 15 if studying abroad during the spring.

Once the study-abroad program has been approved, students must complete the following additional forms by the end of the semester prior to studying abroad:

These forms are due to the Office of International Education by April 15 for fall or summer study abroad and November 15 for spring study abroad.

Will my credits transfer?

Before going abroad, students are required to fill out a Pre-Approval of Transfer Credit form, as well as course descriptions of the courses they are planning to take abroad for non-SMCM programs.  The IE Office, the registrar, and the dept. chairs for each major will then work together to assess how study-abroad credits will count toward a student’s degree.  Students will receive written notification of course credit-transfer approval once all courses submitted have been evaluated. 

Will my grades earned abroad be factored into my SMCM GPA?

Generally grades earned abroad WILL appear on your transcript, but WILL NOT be counted into your GPA. 

Will my financial aid/scholarships transfer?

Most scholarships, grants, and loans that you receive to study at SMCM are transferable to study abroad.  SMCM aid will be deposited into SMCM student accounts on the first day of SMCM classes.  Students must request a refund in writing to the Business Office to get any aid funds in excess of those owed to SMCM.  Students participating in non-SMCM programs make payments directly to their program provider. 

In addition, many scholarships are available specifically for students studying abroad.  SMCM offers three scholarships:

1. SMC Foundation General Study-Abroad Scholarship
2. Provost’s Foreign Language Study-Abroad Scholarship
3. Thomas Vollman Memorial Study-Abroad Award

Also, outside providers may offer scholarship opportunities and federal and state governments offer scholarships to students already receiving certain types of aid.  For more information, all students going abroad should visit the SMCM financial aid Web site at http://www.smcm.edu/financialaid/ and the IE scholarship site at http://www.smcm.edu/academics/internationaled/StudyAbroad/scholarships.cfm

Where can I learn about programs in which other SMCM students have participated?

The IE office maintains evaluation forms from students about their specific programs.  To look through these evaluations, stop by the IE office in Anne Arundel 100. 

Can I speak with SMCM students who have studied abroad in the past?

Yes.  The Office of International Education has a database tracking where SMCM students have studied in the past.  Most students who have been abroad are more than willing to discuss their experiences with you.

Where will I live while abroad?

Many programs assign you housing either on campus or in the surrounding area.  However, in some cases it is the student’s responsibility to find his/her own housing.  Because each program may vary, you need to research your program to see how it deals with accommodations.

How do I get food – meal plan abroad?

Most programs do not provide students with a “meal plan” like St. Mary’s.  This means that generally you will be buying groceries or paying separately for each meal.  However, because each program may vary, you need to research your program to see how it deals with this issue.

Where can I get information about SMCM programs?

St. Mary’s offers numerous exchange and study-tour programs to a variety of countries: Belize, China, Costa Rica, Hong Kong, England, France, The Gambia, Germany, Greece, Italy, Sénégal, and Thailand.  All of these programs are detailed under the current programs page on the IE Web site at http://www.smcm.edu/academics/internationaled/StudyAbroad/current%20programs/current.cfm. 

For additional information, stop by the IE office in Anne Arundel 100, call x4202, or e-mail ldhagar@smcm.edu. 

Where do I go first to get information about a non-SMCM program?

For students who decide to participate in a non-SMCM program, the best source of information about courses, housing, and city is their program provider.  They are the experts on the program you have selected.

What forms of identification will I need to study abroad?

In order to leave the United States, you will need a valid passport.  Visit http://www.travel.state.gov/passport_easy.html to learn about how to apply for a passport.  (Note: The Department of State advises individuals to allow six weeks for passport processing.  Also, some countries require that your passport be valid for at least six months beyond the dates of your trip.)

It is also useful to have a Student ID.  In some instances you will receive an ID card from your school abroad upon arrival.  Check with your program for more specific information. 

Also, many businesses will offer discounts to students holding the International Student Identity (ISIC) Card.  Check with http://www.isiccard.com/isiccard/template.asp?pageId=1 for information on these cards. 

Will I need to obtain a visa?

Visa requirements vary depending on the country.  Review the State Department's http://www.travel.state.gov/foreignentryreqs.html to learn about "Entry Requirements" for each of the countries you plan to visit.  Details are also provided in country-specific Consular Information Sheets at www.travel.state.gov. 

Will I need to get any immunizations?

Some countries require certain immunizations before traveling there.  For information on your specific location, check The Center for Disease Control at http://www.cdc.gov/travel/. 

What should I know about local customs and situations prior to departure?

The more you know about your study-abroad location prior to departure, the better.  Having researched local customs in advance will help you adapt more easily into the culture once you arrive abroad.  You can find information about your destination in printed travel publications or on the Web in the form of CIA fact sheets, tourism sites published by the specific city of country, and more. 

Where can I find information about health and safety in my study-abroad country?

The following resources may be helpful in researching regional safety issues.  Please consult the International Education Handbook for additional resources.

The Department of State (http://www.travel.state.gov/) -- DOS issues travel advisories and consular information pages on every country.

Overseas Security Advisory Council (http://www.ds-osac.org/) -- OSAC fosters the exchange of security-related information between the U.S. government and the American private sector through a variety of reports available on the Web.

The Federal Aviation Administration (http://www.faa.gov) -- The FAA provides information about airport safety, airline safety, and traveling overseas.

The Association for Safe International Road Travel (http://www.asirt.org/) -- ASIRT asserts that motor vehicle accidents are the leading cause of serious injury and death for all travelers.  ASIRT also provides international travel reports. 

International SOS (http://www.internationalsos.com/) -- International SOS offers global emergency assistance and global medical services for travelers. 

The New York Times, Washington Post, and Christian Science Monitor offer coverage of international affairs.  Foreign local newspapers also provide important access to information.  Many countries offer English-language daily or weekly newspapers.  Print media resources can often be accessed on the Web.

What happens should an international emergency occur?

Every program should have a resident director or coordinator whom you may contact in the event of an emergency.  Make sure to find out what the emergency protocol is for your program and keep the information readily available.  In addition, you may always contact the St. Mary’s Office of International Education with any questions or concerns.

How do I register for next semester’s classes at SMCM? 

With online registration, students who have access to a computer while abroad can gain clearance from their academic advisers and register themselves as usual.  However, all students must also designate a registration proxy before leaving St. Mary’s.  The proxy is someone at St. Mary’s who is given permission to register on the student’s behalf.  Students are responsible for providing their proxies with their desired schedules.  The proxy will then register the student via Smartnet or take the information to the registrar and register the student.

How do I sign up for next year’s housing?

Students also designate a housing proxy before leaving SMCM.  Students are expected to be in contact with their proxies about their desired housing so that the proxy can fill out the housing form appropriately.  Students who study abroad should also be sure to pay their housing deposit for next year before they leave St. Mary’s, in order to ensure they get housing.