PLANNING TO STUDY ABROAD BASICS :
BEFORE APPLYING : Evaluate Goals • Estimate Costs • Verify Income Sources • Check Country Safety  • Determine Program Compatibility

Planning for any study abroad program requires students to review key points to (1) identify the right program, (2) prepare realistically for the overseas educational experience, (3) fulfill all the academic requirements of the program, (4) receive financial aid (if applicable), and (5) obtain transfer credit or graded credit. Review the following 7 steps so study abroad staff may help you select the best program.

EVALUATE GOALS:(Review Why NMSU Students Study Abroad)
Every study abroad program is an individual experience which needs to be designed to fulfill academic and personal goals. It requires mental and emotional preparation to handle the unique aspects of the program chosen. Before choosing a program, students need to address the following types of questions: Academic Expectations: Do you want to study for a semester? the academic year? summer only? at other times? • Will you need to study in English? Or will you be studying to improve your knowledge of another language? • Do you want to take courses that will apply toward a major? a minor? general education requirements? electives? language requirements ? • Will you be studying abroad in your senior year and need credits to transfer to graduate on time? • Are you willing to take courses that won’t count toward degree requirements and may cause you to extend the completion of your degree? • Do you have specific NMSU (or other university) course requirements that must be met during your study abroad program? • Can you handle going on a program that does not exactly match the U.S academic calendar? Personal Attitudes and Expectations (check out this site about cultural adaptation): What kind of personality do you have? • What cultural values or characteristics do you possess that may come into conflict with cultural values and characteristics prevalent in the host country? • What are your views or assumptions about gender relationships, social status, privacy, political ideology? • What conveniences and comforts are important to you? • What close relationships do you have that might be affected by being away on a study abroad program? Thinking about these types of questions will help you narrow your search for a program that will fulfill your academic goals and accommodate your personal preferences.

ESTIMATE ALL COSTS REALISTICALLY: Back to Top Study abroad is an investment in the future and can be affordable. Degree seeking NMSU students can carry financial aid administered though the NMSU Office of Financial Aid. It is important, however, that students determine early (even before they have selected a specific program) that they will have sufficient resources to cover all the costs of study abroad whether payable to NMSU or to another program provider. It is better to overestimate than to underestimate your costs. Be realistic of what kind of program you can afford. Students should explore all avenues for obtaining the funds necessary to carry out a study abroad program. Don’t plan on using income from work while studying abroad unless a paid work experience is part of the program.
1. Estimate Basic Costs of Study Abroad: • Passport, student visas (costs are skyrocketing worldwide and some students have to travel to Houston or LA to apply), medical and accident insurance • Application and Program Fees and Deposits (See NMSU Fee Chart) • Tuition and fees  • Room and Meals • Books and Supplies • Personal Expenses • Transportation to the site (and at the site) • Excursions, other travel during free time • Other miscellaneous items. Make Valid Cost Comparisons: For example, some programs will advertise the cost of room and meals at a price that assumes shared rooms, but you may want to have a single room. Some programs will cover the cost of all meals (21 per week), others will only cover the cost of 2 meals per day, and only during the week. Know what you are getting for what you will pay.

VERIFY INCOME SOURCES: Back to Top Look at all resources available to you: • NMSU Financial Aid (grants, scholarships, loans) (Fill out FAFSA on time!) • Other scholarships (such as from program sponsors, other agencies) • Personal Resources (Savings, wages from extra jobs, fund raising, family members) • VA Benefits or other State and Federal benefit programs • Savings from expenses you have while attending college that you may not have while overseas. If you find you do not have sufficient funds to pay basic and extra costs of study abroad, then you need to find new sources before applying or delay your participation until you are assured of having the financial support. Penalties for withdrawing after applying are high. Check with Office of Financial Aid: Normally scholarships, grants, and loans (state and federal) administered by NMSU’s Financial Aid Department may be applied to all approved study abroad programs. The estimated cost for an in-state student to pay for tuition, room and board, books and supplies, transportation, and personal expenses is determined annually by the Office of Financial Aid.

CHECK COUNTRY SAFETY CONDITIONS: Back to Top Most students who travel abroad have a safe and enjoyable experience. However, no matter how careful one plans for studying and traveling abroad, some students will report health and safety incidents that they believe were serious (check incident report). Students must consider seriously how to travel safely before leaving the U.S. and to maintain vigilance during their travels. Excellent resources for preparing to travel abroad are: • the USC Center for Global Education’s Handbook A Guide to Going Abroad. • the U.S. State Department's STUDENTS ABROAD web site. For country specific information go to the TRAVEL SECTION of the State Department Web site.• The Association for Safe International Travel has a dedicated web site that addresses road safety in other countries. • The Center for Disease Control or the World Health Organization both provide excellent information about health conditions around the world and in specific countries. • The International Society of Travel Medicine or Travel Medicine, Inc. for assistance with obtaining medicines while traveling. • Mobility International USA provides resources to assist students with disabilities who wish to study abroad. Taking into consider overseas risks is an essential part of successful study abroad planning.

DETERMINE PROGRAM COMPATIBILITY: Back to Top Can the program you are considering accomodate your planned period of study? • If you have special needs (physical, dietary, learning, medical, family, etc.) can the host program accommodate these? • Do you want to study in a university with students from the host country, or with other U.S. or international students? • Do you prefer a large, medium, or small university campus? • Do you prefer a rural or urban environment? • Do you want to live in a dormitory, in an apartment, or with a host family? • Do you want a program taught by local nationals or would you prefer to attend a program taught abroad by U.S. professors? • What are the admission requirements of the program (gpa, semesters completed, language proficiency) and the application deadlines? • Do you want a program with a lot of support staff or would you rather take care of most matters yourself? • Can you afford the cost of the program? Are you concerned about the local cost of living? • Does the academic calendar of the host institution accommodate the NMSU calendar?