Preparing to Go Abroad

Now that you have been accepted to a study abroad program, you will want to start preparing for your departure!

General Preparations

  • Make sure you understand the Academic Polices regarding course approvals and transfer credit.  You will need to seek approvals from the relevant departments for major and minor requirements and will need to work with your advisor and Student Records for general education requirements and transfer credit approvals.
  • Consult with the financial aid office as early as possible if you regularly receive aid to determine how your aid might apply to your semester abroad.  Review the policies regarding Costs and Financial Aid.
  • Clear all outstanding debts with the Bursar as a delinquent account may prevent you from participating on  a study abroad program.
  • Review the information on Health and Safety and make any necessary preparations: for example, you will need to review your health insurance options and decide on coverage.

Supplemental Materials

After you are accepted, you will be moved to the Participant Stage of RIPA (Rollins International Programs Application) and will be able to view and complete all the supplemental materials for your program.  We have a strict deadline for all supplemental materials, so please get started on them right away.  If you have questions about any of the supplemental materials, come to International Programs for help!

Orientation

All students participating in study abroad regardless of program type and sponsor are required to attend the on-campus orientation during which health, safety, legal and cultural issues are discussed.

Pre-Departure Guide

You will receive a Pre-departure Guide at our MANDATORY orientation.  Be sure to read through it!  It is chock full of helpful information and includes everything from advice about cell phones abroad, to insight about culture shock, and information about managing your money while abroad.

Useful Websites

You can also find valuable tips and information to on the following government websites. We encourage all students and parents to carefully review their information.

New Language Resource

Mango Languages offers self-paced and fun language courses available to Rollins students, faculty and staff! Check it out at

http://ezproxy.rollins.edu:2048/login?url=http://libraries.mangolanguages.com/rollins-college-olin/start (you need to copy and paste into a new window on your browser for the link to work)

(It appears that you have to log in but you do not. If you click on the “start learning” button you can bypass the login and start a language course)