student affairs

Studying Abroad Student Checklist

1. To begin the exploration, contact the UMD International Education Office in Kirby Plaza 138. However, do not make final decisions on a university or country in which to study without working with LSBE Student Affairs or departments. You will need to know how the study abroad experience fits with your educational goals and degree requirements. It is desirable to be registered through UMD for your term abroad and for some situations where you must be - such as when you receive financial aid, for foreign schools with which we have formal exchange agreements, or for the Study in England program. Even if you will be registered outside of the U of M system, it will be helpful if UMD is notified of your study abroad plans.
2. Once you have decided upon the university you will attend, complete appropriate application processes. Apply for the scholarships available. ( If the curriculum for this university has not yet been analyzed in LSBE, or other departments for electives, collect information about which courses are being offered, including course descriptions. For business courses, you must have the course syllabi and the instructor's qualifications. A judgment on transferability can only be made with the appropriate details.) There is information in SBE 21 on LSBE courses already approved for our exchange programs, or you may visit the IEO website at http://www.d.umn.edu/ieo/
3. Determine which courses you want to take. When you have identified those (and assembled the syllabi for courses not yet analyzed) meet with a Student Affairs advisor in SBE 21. This will help you determine which courses will help meet degree requirements. If you are hoping to study any of the LSBE related classes abroad, there is a careful course approval procedure to follow, which begins with Student Affairs. The LSBE Student Affairs office must keep accurate records for advising and degree clearance purposes. As you select courses, make sure you pay attention to pre-requisites and your preparation for those courses.
4. Step 3 helps you find out how your courses will fit with your degree. (Plan ahead, as it may take time for departments to do their analysis.) For non-LSBE courses, consult the appropriate department. For LSBE courses, complete the request for study abroad forms as you work with Student Affairs. NOTE: There is a limit on the number of LSBE courses you can take abroad for your major and in the core. (See Policy sheet.) Also, because of the LSBE candidacy system, you must have completed the proper pre-requisites before enrolling in any upper division business or economics courses abroad.
5. When the analysis of LSBE classes is completed, you will receive copies of what is approved and a program worksheet which helps you visualize how your study abroad courses will (or will not) apply toward degree requirements. Your faculty advisor will also receive a copy of this.
6. Turn in your registration material to Kirby Plaza 138 if registering through UMD. You may also need to work with the Financial Aid office.
7. As you meet with your advisor or a Student Affairs staff member, discuss which courses to take for the first term back on campus. A study abroad experience may interrupt some important sequences, so it is helpful if you know how to best continue your progress toward the degree when you return - especially since you will be registering while in another country.
8. For those programs which you must provide several course selections, be sure to notify the International Education Office about which courses you are ACTUALLY registered for so your records here will be correct. This is very important to do in a timely fashion. (This is if you are registered through UMD.)
9. Check your UMD e-mail account frequently for any messages from us. Also, keep us posted about any changes to your schedule, etc.
10. If you are registering through another university for your study abroad experience, you must arrange to have official transcripts sent to the UMD transfer specialist in the Admissions office. It is only in this way that your courses can be posted on your record.
11. Keep a record of all your course syllabi, grades, etc. This information may be needed to ensure accuracy.

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