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Study Abroad Advising and Pre-Departure Orientation

UVM’s study abroad team works with you from your initial study abroad research through your pre-departure preparations and while you are abroad.

UVM students who study abroad will meet with Office of International Education staff and peer advisors at several key stages of the process:

  • Study Abroad 101 Workshops
  • Walk-in Advising
  • Individual Advising (only for certain programs)
  • Pre-Departure Orientation

Process, Program-Selection, and Application Advising

Study Abroad 101

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Study Abroad 101 sessions are offered regularly while classes are in session and weekly during the summer months. This first step in the study abroad process provides students with important information about the types of programs available, an overview of the application process, and how financial aid, credit transfer, and other factors may affect the types of programs they choose to consider. Students are also introduced to the GoAbroad system, UVM’s approved study abroad program database and application portal.

This session is required for all students wishing to study abroad as a first step in the process. Registration is required, visit  to view available session and register! Sessions are either in-person or virtual, check the specific event listing for more information. If you are not able to attend one of the scheduled Study Abroad 101 times, you can view a recording of the session . 

Walk-in hours

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Walk-in hours are available to students seeking assistance with their study abroad application and process-related questions. This session is intended for students who:

  • Have attended Study Abroad 101 already
  • Are uncertain of the next steps of the study abroad process
  • Need assistance identifying or comparing program options
  • Have a specific question related to an open application

During the fall and spring semesters, walk-in hours are offered in-person in Living/Learning B-180, Monday-Thursday from 1:30-3:30. During these sessions, Study Abroad Advisors circulate the room, addressing individual student questions. Please bring a laptop and come prepared with your questions.

Pre-requisite for walk-in hours: students must complete the Study Abroad 101 requirement prior to attending walk-ins. If you cannot attend one of the scheduled Study Abroad 101 sessions, you can view a recording . 

Otherwise, no registration is required for walk-ins - simply show up between 1:30-3:30, Monday-Thursday, in Living/Learning B-180!

Individual Advising Appointment

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Required Appointments

Certain study abroad program types require individual advising appointments. If your program requires this, you will find scheduling instructions within your GoAbroad application.

Optional Appointments

For students applying to External programs, meeting with a study abroad advisor is optional. Students should consult their program provider for specific questions and email studyabroad@uvm.edu with any UVM process related questions or attend walk-in hours.

Requesting an Individual Advising Appointment for a Private Matter

If your program type does not require an individual advising appointment but you wish to meet one-on-one with a UVM study abroad advisor, you need to email studyabroad@uvm.edu to request an appointment. Individual advising appointments will be accommodated for private matters that cannot be discussed during walk-in hours.

To request an individual advising appointment for a private matter, ensure that you have:

  • Completed the Study Abroad 101 requirement.
  • Initiated a GoAbroad record. If you have not yet done so, we encourage you to attend walk-in hours to address initial questions.
  • Met with you academic advisor and completed the relevant Academic Planning Form.
  • Sent an email to studyabroad@uvm.edu requesting an individual advising appointment. This request should clearly indicate the matter that needs to be discussed and cannot be addressed during walk-in hours.

NOTE: These steps will require advanced action and planning. Session offerings and advising appointment availability can be limited, especially as deadlines approach. Students should schedule their appointment with a study abroad advisor to occur no later than 10 business days prior to the deadline to ensure adequate time to complete the application requirements. We encourage students to arrange their advising appointment well before that - an application will be considered incomplete if this requirement is not completed prior to the stated deadline. Exceptions will not be considered if the student waited until under 10 business days prior to the deadline to arrange the appointment and are then unable to secure a time. Appointments are only available during regular business hours and are filled on a first-come-first-serve basis.

Pre-Departure Orientation

Pre-Departure Orientation Overview

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All students participating in UVM-approved study abroad programs are required to participate in a pre-departure orientation with the Office of International Education. This session covers essential health and safety, logistical, financial, and academic matters. Some programs have additional required UVM-run programs. You may have additional orientations run by your program provider. 

Note: the below is for semester, year-long, and summer study abroad programs only. Students participating in UVM Travel Study programs should follow instructions for their individual course.

Pre-departure orientation is an important (and required!) aspect of preparing for your study abroad. 

This page is updated around February 1 and September 1 for current term dates. 

Study Abroad Next Steps

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In this session, Study Abroad Advisors will review key next steps that students need to be working on to complete their post-decision checklist in GoAbroad. Students are invited to attend one of these three sessions, where advisors will cover deadlines, answer questions, and help clarify the GoAbroad process.    

Thursday, October 2nd: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm. Location forthcoming
Monday, October 6th: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm. Location forthcoming
Tuesday, October 7th: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Teams link forthcoming
 

Virtual Pre-departure Orientation REQUIRED FOR ALL STUDENTS

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All students participating in a study abroad program (excepting travel study) that begins in Spring 2026 must attend our virtual Pre-departure Orientation. This session covers important logistical, financial, academic, and health and safety matters imperative to understand in the pre-departure planning process.  

Tuesday, November 4th: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Teams link forthcoming

Virtual Pre-departure Orientation for families

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Parents, family members, and friends of students who are participating in study abroad in spring 2026 are invited to this orientation session to learn more about how the Office of International Education supports students who study abroad, with information about logistics, health and safety, and pre-departure planning. This virtual session will be held on Microsoft Teams.  

Wednesday, November 5th: 12:00 pm - 1:00 pm. Teams link forthcoming

Exploring Cultural Adjustment

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Some of the most fulfilling aspects of studying abroad - successfully navigating culture shock, exploring one's own identity in the context of a study abroad experience, and tackling challenges independently - can also be some of the most difficult. In this session, all students studying abroad in spring 2026 are invited to connect with staff from The Office of International Education and fellow study abroad students to explore these themes, reflect, and prepare for their study abroad experience (and have some pizza!). 

Wednesday, November 12th: 4:30 pm - 6:00 pm. Location forthcoming

Additional Program-Specific Orientation Sessions

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UVM Semester

Students participating in UVM Semester programs are required to attend a series of pre-departure orientation sessions as a condition of participating in the program. These sessions will familiarize students with the UVM Semester model, cover host university requirements, and connect students in the cohort. These are in addition to the pre-departure orientation session described above that is required of all students.

UVM Semester in New Zealand

  • Meeting #1: Wednesday, September 17th: 4:45 pm - 5:45 pm, Jeffords 110
  • Meeting #2: Date and time forthcoming

UVM Semester in Ireland

  • Meeting #1: Tuesday, September 16th: 4:30 pm - 5:30 pm, Living and Learning B 102
  • Meeting #2: Date and time forthcoming

UVM Semester in South Korea

  • Meeting #1: You will receive an email directly from the Office of International Education with date, time, and location
  • Meeting #2: Date and time forthcoming

UVM Semester in South Africa

  • Meeting #1: You will receive an email directly from the Office of International Education with date, time, and location
  • Meeting #2: Date and time forthcoming

UVM Semester in Barbados

  • Meeting #1: You will receive an email directly from the Office of International Education with date, time, and location
  • Meeting #2: November 12, 1-2pm, led by the University of the West Indies (Meeting link forthcoming)