Before You Go
Whether you've just been accepted to your study abroad program or you are currently abroad, we're here to support students in all stages of their journey.
You've Been Accepted - What's Next?
1. Commit to your program
Log into your study abroad profile and commit to your program through the Application tab.
2. Submit application directly to your host institution
This information is in your acceptance letter and email. Follow your host institution's application deadlines as they are often different from UND's.
Some institutions require home institution approval before accepting students to their program. UND Study Abroad will not grant approval until you have committed to your program through your study abroad profile.
3. Review visa requirements
Depending on where you are going or how long you are abroad you may need to apply in advance for a student visa or residence permit.
4. Complete important forms
Log into your study abroad profile and select the Forms tab. Complete the following:
- Budget Form
- Petition for Academic Credit
- Passport Copy
- Emergency Contact
- UND Waiver and Release
5. Pay fees
Study abroad fees and application fees will be posted to your Campus Connection account. Your study abroad advisor will notify you when the fees are posted.
6. Participate in Pre-Departure Orientation
UND Study Abroad provides a mandatory pre-departure orientation for all students going abroad on summer, semester, full-year, or university directed programs. Pre-departure orientation covers academics abroad, health and safety, finance and budgeting, packing tips, cultural adjustment, and more.
For students who are not participating in university directed programs, which includes full semester and summer participants, pre-departure orientation will be through the UNIV 227 1-credit course. Students are given steps to enroll in UNIV 227 after they are accepted to their study abroad program. Specific dates and times of online and in-person pre-departure orientation workshops can be found in your acceptance letter.
Previous study abroad participants are often in attendance at the in-person pre-departure orientation workshops. A large portion of time is given to discussion with these previous participants, as well as peers, to get their insight about your host destination or school.
Study Abroad Student Alumni Mentors
UND study abroad students have the option to be connected to a mentor who is typically a UND student who studied abroad during a previous term. UND Study Abroad tries to match students with mentors who attended the same program or lived in the same location whenever possible. Mentors are a great resource to ask about packing, the city you will be in, what life is like abroad, and many other questions.
If you would like to get in touch with a mentor before applying to go abroad, reach out to your study abroad advisor. If UND has not sent a student to your host location in the past few years, or a mentor is unavailable, we will work with your host program to identify a previous program participant.
7. Finalize your coursework
Meet with your academic advisor to finalize your plan for classes while abroad and fill out the Petition for Academic Credit.
You will enroll in a study abroad placeholder course (UNIV 229) at UND for the term you are abroad. This keeps you in status as a UND student for enrollment and financial aid purposes. UNIV 229 registration does not enroll you for your host program coursework abroad.
The steps to register for courses abroad varies by program. Most students will enroll in their course(s) upon arrival to their host institution. For some programs, you will be required to compile a preliminary list of course choices to include with your application. Look carefully to verify the courses you plan to take will be offered during the term you will be abroad.
Study Abroad Hold on Campus Connection
A hold is placed on all study abroad students' Campus Connection accounts during the term they are abroad. This hold only prevents students from dropping a course during that term. It does not prevent students from registering for future terms. Students who need to drop a class while abroad should contact their study abroad advisor.