Preparing to Study Abroad
A Pre-Departure Meeting will be held on campus before the end of the semester. Please check back here for date, time, and location.
It is the responsibility of each student to research their host country. It's a good idea to get an up to date travel guide. Students also need to complete any online orientations offered by their program provider or host university.
Passports and Visas
If you do not have a valid passport, you should apply for one or renew your passport as soon as possible. Passports should be valid for at least 6 months after your return.
Each student is responsible for researching the visa requirements for their host country as early as possible. Visas usually take several weeks to process, so it is important that students don't leave it until the last minute.
Italy: Consulate General of Italy in Boston
Packing
Deciding what to pack depends on each student and their host country. Some general rules to remember are that you will not need as much as you think you will, remember you will probably do some shopping while abroad, and after you're done packing, make sure you can carry all your luggage on your own. Be sure to check all luggage restrictions with your airline.
Culture Shock and Transition Adjustment
Immersing yourself in a new culture is a wonderful experience, but it can also be overwhelming. Familiarizing yourself with some of the stages and symptoms of culture shock can help you deal with it in a healthy way.
Other resources to help you prepare to study abroad
