Instructions for U.S. citizens for obtaining or renewing a passport. You can apply for a passport at a post office. See also this guidance from the U.S. State Department.

Do you need a visa? Don’t wait to find out. A visa service company is a good place to start: CIBT Visa. Or look at the website for your host country’s consulate in the US (example: search for “Spanish consulate in the United States” and search site for visas.) Make sure to understand the application process and the estimated processing time. 

If you will need a visa, make sure you know whether in person-application at a consulate is required, and if so, budget both the funds and the time needed to travel to the location of the consulate. Some countries require in-person application appointments at a consulate or embassy

1. Complete and submit an application to the university or organization through which you will study abroad along with any other required documentation. 

2. In the case your study abroad host university/organization will accept the recommendations submitted with your original application to Beloit, send a request to studyabroad@beloit.edu to have the recommendation(s) forwarded on your behalf.

1. During Beloit College’s registration week, register for study away on The Portal. In Course Search, select “Study Abroad Program” or “Off-Campus Study-Domestic” in the department drop-down menu.

Select the code that corresponds to your program. Most direct enrollment and program provider options use SAB 235.

The courses have a 3 Unit placeholder. The actual units you earn will be adjusted upon receipt of your study abroad transcript. Most study abroad students earn the equivalent of 4 Beloit College units of credit.

2. Once abroad, make sure you take the equivalent of at least 3 Beloit Units. As a reminder, 1 Beloit course unit = 4 U.S. semester hour credits. Courses abroad may carry fewer or more credits. You may take a maximum of 5 Beloit Units. 

Most credit systems can be converted into US semester hours or European Credit Transfer System (ECTS) using the following table:

7 - 8 ECTS	4 US Semester Hrs	1 Beloit Unit
5 - 6 ECTS	3 US Semester Hrs	0.75 Beloit Unit
3 - 4 ECTS	2 US Semester Hrs	0.5 Beloit Unit
1 - 2 ECTS	1 US Semester Hr	0.25 Beloit Unit

For help with credit conversions, please contact the GEO staff.

Note: You can not earn credit toward a Beloit College degree for non-academic courses, such as physical education and cooking.

3. Work with your faculty advisor(s) to determine how credits earned abroad will count toward your major sequence. If your course selection changes once you are abroad, check with your advisor(s) to make sure you will still be on track for completion of major requirements. 

4. Do you plan to do research abroad using interviews or surveys? If so, you must obtain approval from the Beloit College Institutional Review Board before beginning your project. Look for the section at the bottom of the page on International Research for guidance about conducting research abroad.

5. If you require accommodation on the Beloit College campus related to a physical disability, learning disability, or mental health concerns, a) make sure you understand what kind of supports are available through your host institution/organization (search host institution website), and b) discuss your situation with the Learning Enrichment and Disabilities office.

1. Stop by the financial aid office to complete a FERPA form to allow staff in the accounting and financial aid office to speak with your parents/guardians about financial matters while you are abroad.

2. Apply for an interest-free, short-term loan from Beloit College to cover start-up costs (visas, passports, etc.). Repay the loan when financial aid for your study abroad semester kicks in. To apply, stop by the financial aid office or contact faoffice@beloit.edu.

3. Use the Budget Sheet on the policies page to calculate your costs abroad, financial aid, and payments to Beloit College while abroad. The website of your host organization or host university international/study abroad office will likely have information about costs. Staff in the Global Experience Office and the Office of Financial Aid are also available to help.

4. Share information about billing, financial aid, and costs with parents or guardians. Make sure both you and they are familiar with policies governing study abroad.

5. Do research on accessing money abroad. Will your ATM card work? Will your credit card work? (In either case, alert your bank and/or credit card company that you may be making withdrawals or purchases abroad. Be aware of credit card fees and ATM withdrawal fees. Additionally, before obtaining a credit card that does not charge fees for international transactions, make sure it is accepted in the countries you will visit. Finally, determine if opening a bank account in your host country would be feasible and helpful.

6. Before leaving campus the semester before your study abroad, meet with a financial aid counselor to make sure your financial aid and loans are set for your study abroad semester(s).

7. Make photocopies of both sides of your bank and credit cards. Store them separately, and give a copy to someone you trust at home in case of an emergency.

8. Call your bank and credit card company to notify them that you will be traveling and will need to use your debit and credit cards while abroad. Provide the dates and locations of your travel. Inquire about international transaction fees. 

Beloit College study away scholarships are available to students with financial need to help defray costs associated with studying away, such as airfare, fees, passports and visas, and cost-of-living differences. Information is here. 

 

External scholarships are awards that are not managed by Beloit College. We are, however, available to assist you in preparing your application.

Deadlines vary; we encourage you to plan ahead to ensure your applications are competitive.

See information here. 

 

1. Make sure you know when your arrival and departure dates.

2. Book your flights. Check various travel sites for the best ticket rates.

3. Understand cancellation and change fees. As travel can be unpredictable at times, it is important to understand how to change your plans, if needed, and the cost. 

4. Secure accommodation at your host site unless your program automatically assigns this.

5. Make sure you know how to get from the airport to your study abroad site, especially if your host university or organization does not have a pick-up service.

6. Explore options for cell phone service. Some options may include:

• purchasing an inexpensive phone abroad and adding credit as you go;
• unlocking your phone to accept a local SIM card available for purchase;
• continuing your current service on a roaming plan, if available; 
• using wifi connections while abroad to connect through apps such as FaceTime, Zoom, WhatsApp, etc. 

7. Before departing for your study abroad site, complete Beloit College’s Travel Registration Form, which collects your insurance policy and flight itinerary so the college can respond in case of an emergency. A link to the form will be sent to you in advance of the start of your semester abroad.

8. If you are a U.S. citizen, register your travel with the U.S. Department of State through its Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). This allows the embassy in host country to contact you in case of an emergency. Not a U.S. citizen? Most countries have a similar option for being in touch with their embassies abroad.