Always wanted to study abroad but not sure how to get started? There's no better time to start figuring it out than now; deadlines for Towson's summer programs are March 15. Here is a step-by-step guide how to start planning your trip.
Make contacts with study abroad advisors Get in touch with the study abroad office. TU study abroad requires that prospective participants attend an information session to learn how it works. Sessions are held Monday through Friday at 2 p.m. in the study abroad office in the administration building on the second floor. The session introduces students to the programs offered, options for financial aid, and puts them in touch with resources for researching, such as student testimonials and extensive archives of study abroad programs. After the information session, you can make an individual appointment with a study abroad advisor who will then guide them through the process of researching and applying.
Narrow your interests Figuring out what you want to study while abroad can help narrow down options. If there is a specific study interest, the number of programs that offer that field of study may be limited and vice versa. Also, having an idea of how long you want to study can also narrow down options and make the researching process easier. Students can study for a year, a semester, or in a short-term program. "Participation in TU short-term programs has risen dramatically over the past academic year," study abroad advisor Liz Shearer said. "136 students studied abroad in Minimester 2007 compared to 86 the previous year."
Research If a student already has an idea of where they want to go or what they want to study, or how long they want to travel, they should begin researching in those areas. Researching will allow students to further narrow down their options. "At the information session, students can pick up program brochures and materials to review before meeting with their advisor," Shearer said. "The TU Study Abroad website is also a great resource for researching study abroad options and getting information on scholarships, financial aid, and credit transfer."
Look beyond TU There are several options beyond the programs offered by Towson. There are agencies dedicated to student study abroad, and students can also look into programs offered by other universities. The study abroad office has a list of different programs they recommend. "Students can choose from our recommended list of programs or discuss alternative programs with their advisor. The choices are limitless," Shearer said.
Make sure your credits are transferable All programs offered and recommended by Towson provide transferable credit. An advisor can help a student research and find other programs that would also provide transferable credit.
Be aware of application deadlines Application deadline dates are available at the TU study abroad website: http://www.towson.edu/studyabroad/.
Take advantage of financial aid Students may use financial aid and most scholarships for study abroad during the semester, year or summer. Shearer said $100,000 in study abroad scholarships is available annually and that advisors will also help students find outside scholarship sources.
Apply for passports early A passport is a good thing to have, whether or not you are studying abroad. Apply for one as soon as you apply for a program if you do not already have one. They take about six weeks to be processed and are good for up to 10 years.
Plan your experience Once a program is selected, and applied for, take the time to plan out what you want to see while you are there. Get guidebooks and maps. Several books include day trips and mini-excursions you can take on during your trip.
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