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MU
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To do before October (for students studying abroad spring) or before February (for students studying abroad summer, fall, or academic year):
Step 1: Visit the International Center Resource Room in N52 Memorial Union.
- Visit the MU Study Abroad Resource Room and speak with staff about program options and general MU policies regarding study abroad.
- Read the MU Guide to Study Abroad.
- Pick up site-specific program information. Review these materials carefully, keeping in mind your major, language abilities and cultural interests.
Step 2: Attend an MU Study Abroad 101 session, preferably during the semester prior to the application deadline.
Step 3: Research your options.
- Attend the Study Abroad Fair and talk to past participants.
- Confer with Academic Advisors, faculty members, Senior Financial Aid Advisors - Susie Facklam (last names A-G) or Roberta Knipp (last names H-Z), MU Peer Advisors, past participants and exchange students.
- Begin thinking about who will write your academic recommendations
Step 4: Meet with an MU study abroad program advisor.
- In the semester proceeding the application deadline, schedule an appointment to meet with the MU study abroad advisor for your geographical area by phoning the MU International Center desk at (573) 882-6007 or by making an appointment in person in the MU International Center (N52 Memorial Union).
- Come to your appointment on time and be prepared to discuss what you have learned about your options. Prepare a list of questions to ask your study abroad advisor.
- The MU study abroad advisor will talk with you about your academic interests and requirements, help you narrow down program choices, explain application forms, discuss financial aid and billing, and provide information to help you fill out your "Course Proposal for Study Abroad" form. Keep in mind that you may need to speak with your Study Abroad Advisor more than once during the application process.
Step 5: Prepare your "Course Proposal for Study Abroad."
- Using catalogues, course listings, university websites, and other resources available in the IC Resource Room, draft a preliminary proposal of courses that you plan to complete abroad and list these on your Course Proposal for Study Abroad
 form.
- Meet with International Admissions, your academic advisor and your dean to have them review your preliminary proposal of courses. Your academic advisor and dean will be able to guide you as to how the courses you plan to take overseas will transfer toward your MU degree. Obtain their respective signatures.
Step 6: Complete your application.
- Read all application instructions thoroughly.
- Request Academic letters of Recommendation from your professors. Be sure to give your referees at least 2-3 weeks notice.
- Order an official transcript from the Registrar's office in 130 Jesse Hall. The transcript must be submitted in a sealed, official envelope from the Registrar's Office.
- Submit the Application for Study Abroad (Be sure to sign and date the form!) to your MU Study Abroad Advisor with the required attachments
- Schedule an admission/language interview
To do before November (for students studying abroad spring) or before March (for students studying abroad summer, fall, or academic year):
Step 7: Prepare to GO!
- Apply for a passport, if you do not already have one. If you already have a passport, check the expiration date. Your passport must be valid for 6 months beyond the time you will be abroad. Passport applications are available online.
- Upon acceptance to the program, you will receive a participant packet. Thoroughly read all acceptance materials and complete by the appropriate deadline.
- Complete and submit your host institution application and housing forms (where applicable).
- Submit the "Program Confirmation & Conditions of Participation Form" to the International Center.
- Enroll in the preferred University of Missouri-Columbia Study Abroad insurance plan, if needed.
- Complete and submit International Student Identity Card application with one passport-sized photos attached.
To do before December (spring programs) or April (summer, fall, academic year programs):
- Attend orientation meetings, including the General Study Abroad Orientation and country-specific orientations (to be arranged by the MU study abroad coordinator for the country in which you plan to study).
- Sign and submit the "University of Missouri Assumption of Risk & Release Form" to the International Center.
- Talk to Senior Financial Aid Advisors: Susie Facklam (last names A-G) or Roberta Knipp (last names H-Z), in the Financial Aid Office (11 Jesse Hall, 882-7507) and fill out necessary forms (if applicable).
- Make an appointment with the travel health nurse at the Student Health Center (882-4661) to check on required and suggested immunizations and other travel needs.
- Begin making travel arrangements.
- Obtain student visa application and begin collecting required materials (if applicable).
- At the end of the semester, change your address on MyZou, to your permanent address in order to receive all mailings from MU.
- Inform MU offices - housing, dining, etc.- of your plans to be abroad.
- Research, research, research your destination!
- Get any required paperwork and immigration documents in order.
- Check travel information, including currency exchange rates and the U.S. Department of State travel advisories and consular information sheets for any countries to which you plan to travel.
To do after you depart:
Step 6: Spend a FABULOUS term abroad!
- Notify your MU Study Abroad Advisor of your contact information once you settle into your new surroundings, including your e-mail, address and phone.
- Register with the US Embassy as soon as possible after arrival.
- Contact your MU Academic Advisor immediately if you plan to take any courses that were not listed on your "Course Proposal for Study Abroad."
- Collect syllabi, tests and papers from your classes to bring back to MU. You will need proof of all courses taken while you were abroad.
- Collect materials to enter the annual Study Abroad Essay and Photo contests.
- Keep in contact with the MU study abroad office-we want to hear about all of your experiences, both the positives and negatives.
- Take care of pre-registration by looking up classes and registering on myZou.
- Have a positive attitude and keep an open mind so that you can have the best experience possible!
Step 7: Come back to MU.
- Check in with the International Center to give us your new address, phone and e-mail.
- Submit photos for the annual Study Abroad Photo contests.
- Get involved to keep your study abroad experience alive! You can do this by working or volunteering for the International Center, by attending information and orientation sessions, and by participating in other international events on campus. You can also join the MU international student organization for the region where you studied-these organizations are always happy to have new members who are interested in their culture, regardless of where they are from.
- Get a language partner/buddy to keep those foreign language skills fresh.
- Do you have work-study? Please consider working in the International Center as a Peer Advisor.
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