Preparation for Study Abroad Programs

 Study Abroad Meetings/Orientations
 Financial Planning
 Scholarships
 Passport and Visa Info
 Registration
1. Students Participating in GT Summer Programs or the Pacific Program
2. Students Participating in GT Semester Programs
3. Students Participating in Non-GT Programs
 Payment Information
 Insurance
 Safety
 International Student/Teacher Identity Card

The cost of study abroad programs varies widely depending on which expenses are included in the program fees. Be sure that you read program literature carefully and understand what expenses are included in the program fees that you will pay to the sponsor of the program. You will need to estimate those expenses that are not included so that you are sure to have adequate funds available for the duration of your program. You should also include a contingency fund, which can be used in case of an emergency, in your estimates. You can use the attached budget worksheet to help you plan how much money you'll need to have available for your trip.

Plan ahead as much as possible. If you will celebrate a birthday before your departure, ask for a contribution towards your trip or for items that you will need while you are abroad. For example, if you are going to a country that has a much cooler climate than Georgia's, then you may need to purchase sweaters or a warmer coat before leaving. Even seemingly inexpensive things like film, a travel alarm clock, and travel guides to help you plan your free time can add up faster than you might think so try giving your family and friends a list of what you'll need for your trip.

If you currently have financial aid, you should know that most financial aid can be used for participation in a GT program, provided you complete the appropriate forms in a timely manner and are eligible to receive aid. Detailed information on using financial aid is available here:
 For more information about using GT Financial Aid while studying abroad, please download the Financial Aid Information for GT Study Abroad Programs.
 or more specific financial aid questions visit www.finaid.gatech.edu.

DON’T PUT IT OFF!!!! IT TAKES 12+ WEEKS TO OBTAIN A PASSPORT.

U.S. PASSPORT INFO:
The U.S. Passport Services Office provides information and services to American citizens about how to obtain, replace or change a passport.

A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid U.S. passport is required to enter and leave most foreign countries. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant, issue, or verify United States passports.

Application for a U.S. Passport:
To obtain a passport for the first time, you need to go in person to one of 7,000 passport acceptance facilities located throughout the United States with two photographs of yourself, proof of U.S. citizenship, and a valid form of photo identification such as a driver’s license.

Acceptance facilities include many Federal, state and probate courts, post offices, some public libraries and a number of county and municipal offices. There are also 13 regional passport agencies, which serve customers who are traveling within 2 weeks (14 days), or who need foreign visas for travel. Appointments are required in such cases.

You'll need to apply in person IF:
 you are applying for a U.S. passport for the first time;
 your expired U.S. passport is not in your possession;
 your previous U.S. passport has expired and was issued more than 15 years ago;
 your previous U.S. passport was issued when you are under 16 your currently valid U.S. passport has been lost of stolen.

For more information on getting a new passport, please go to www.travel.state.gov/passport

Renewal of a U.S. Passport:
You can renew by mail IF:
 your most recent passport is available to submit and it is not damaged;
 you received the passport within the past 15 years;
 you were over age 16 when it was issued;
 you still have the same name, or you can legally document your name change.

If your passport has been, altered or damaged, you cannot apply by mail. You must apply in person.

For more information on how to renew a passport, please go to: www.travel.state.gov/passport

U.S. CITIZEN VISA INFO
Information on visa requirements for U.S. citizens is available online: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html. If you are participating in a GT Summer Program, the Pacific Study Abroad Program, or the Argentina Semester Program, your Program Director/Coordinator will provide you with information on visa requirements, if any are required.

NON-U.S. CITIZENS
Because passport and visa requirements vary according to the country of citizenship, Non-U.S. citizens are required to contact the foreign embassy directly to get information on visas. Furthermore, non-U.S. citizens are responsible for applying for the required visas on their own. Please visit http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/brochures/brochures_1229.html for foreign embassy contact information.

Failure to obtain the proper visas is grounds for dismissal from GT programs, and therefore, students who do not acquire visas are not entitled to any refunds of program fees. GT International Students should make an appointment with an International Student Advisor in the OIE to ensure that they maintain their F-1/J-1 visa status in the U.S. while participating in GT study abroad; please e-mail info@oie.gatech.edu to schedule an appointment.

ALL INFORMATION IS SUBJECT TO CHANGE WITHOUT NOTICE.

PLEASE NOTE THAT VISA REQUIREMENTS MAY CHANGE AT ANY TIME. YOU MUST ALWAYS TRAVEL WITH YOUR PASSPORT WHEN CROSSING BORDERS, THIS INCLUDES ALL COUNTRIES IN THE E.U.

GT Students ( Registration Information)

In order to register for courses offered as part of a study abroad program, the OIE must send the Registrar confirmation that you are a study abroad participant.

Participants in GT study abroad programs register during normal registration periods (during their scheduled time ticket).

You can get the course descriptions, course numbers, etc. from the Program Director of your particular study abroad program. For summer programs, most courses will also be listed in the back of the Summer OSCAR.

Transients/Special Students have different procedures than regular degree-seeking GT students.

Information for Transient/Special Students participating in GT Summer Programs or the Pacific Program
TRANSIENT/Special Registration Info - Spring 2006
TRANSIENT/Special Payment Info - Spring 2006
TRANSIENT/Special Registration Info - Summer 2006
TRANSIENT/Special Payment Info - Summer 2006

Participants in Semester/Exchange programs must register for either Foreign Studies (FS) 4000 (undergraduates) or Foreign Studies (FS) 6000 (graduate students).

FS 4000 and FS 6000 are special courses created to keep you in the computer system (so that your GT e-mail account will not be cancelled; so that you can continue to receive financial aid; so your GT Box is not given to someone else, etc.) during your participation in a GT Exchage program. During your semester abroad, you may ONLY be registered for an FS course; you may not register for any other GT course.

In order to register for either Foreign Studies course, you must be given a permit. The Office of International Education will request the appropriate permit for you for each semester that you are abroad.

You will be able to register during normal registration periods, as outlined in the GT Oscar.

Students who choose to participate in programs offered by other universities or organizations DO NOT register for any course at GT while abroad. Students participating in non-GT programs should contact the administrator of the program for registration information.

Insurance Information for Students Participating in GT Summer Programs, the Pacific Program, GTL or Exchange/Semester Programs

Insurance Information for Students Participating in Non-GT Programs
If you participate in a non-GT program, you should check with the university or other entity administering the program to find out whether or not health, evacuation, and repatriation insurance are included in the program. If the program does not provide what you consider to be adequate insurance coverage. Click here for further information.

Benefits of the International Student Identity Card (ISIC):

Your regular GT student ID may not be accepted as proof of student status while you are abroad, so you may want to purchase the International Student Identity Card (ISIC). ISIC is internationally recognized proof of student status. Benefits of ISIC vary widely from country to country, but may include discounts on airfares and other transportation, accommodation, and admission fees to museums, cultural events, and concerts. ISIC also provides basic medical and accident insurance for as long as your ISIC is valid. Benefits for the International Teacher Identity Card (ITIC) are similar to those of ISIC.

The ISIC (approx. $22) is valid from September 1 through the following December 31. So, an ISIC purchased on October 1, 2003 would be valid until December 31, 2003; an ISIC purchased on August 25, 2003 would only be valid until December 31, 2003.

There is no age limit for purchasing ISIC, but age restrictions may apply to some discounts. A handbook free to all ISIC/ITIC purchasers provides detailed information on insurance, emergency assistance for travelers, student airfares, and cardholder discounts in the United States and abroad.

For detailed information on the ISIC and its benefits, as well as information on locations where you can purchase the ISIC or ITIC, go to the website of STA Travel.

Please see the attached scholarship booklet for information on some of the scholarships available for study abroad. This booklet lists many scholarships for which Georgia Tech students may apply. This list is not exhaustive, however, and we encourage you to research other scholarship opportunities, if these don't suit your needs. On the last page of this booklet, you will find a short list of on-line resources to help you start your search.

• Study abroad scholarships offered through the Office of International Education:
• Regents STARS Scholarships
  
• GT-Sponsored Scholarships