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Study Abroad

Resources

All Study Abroad participants must have a valid passport before they travel. In some cases, students will need a passport in order to obtain a visa or residence permit to study abroad. Passports may be due at the time of application or due at a later date. Failure to obtain a passport or submit proof of having acquired a passport by a program deadline may lead to ineligibility to participate in study abroad.

Students with passports that are valid until six months after the program ends will not need a new passport. Students with expired or expiring passports should plan to reapply and do so prior to the study abroad application deadline.

Those needing a U.S. Passport can apply in the Continuing and Global Education office, located in Kremen Education building, room 130. Due to potentially long delays in processing time, you must apply for your passport as early as possible. For more information visit the Fresno State Passport Place

You must be accepted into a study abroad program before you apply for a visa. You will also need to consult with your study abroad advisor and program advisor about your program's requirements. Depending on which country you study abroad in, you may be required to apply for a visa. A visa is a document provided by the country where you will be traveling. It gives permission for you to enter the country. The country issuing a visa typically attaches various conditions of stay, such as the territory covered by the visa, dates of validity, period of stay, whether the visa is valid for more than one visit, etc. In some instances, you may need to apply for a visa in person at a consulate.

If you are not a U.S. citizen, please inform your study abroad advisor immediately. Visa requirements are often different for non-U.S. citizens. If you are an international student, be sure to consult your immigration advisor in the office of International Student Services and Programs.

Information relating to all visas may be obtained from the embassy or consulate of the country or countries in which you will travel. U.S. citizens may also consult the U.S. Department of State website for entry requirements. If you are an international student, you can visit your home country’s equivalent institution.

Applying for a visa

You must have a passport before you can apply for a visa. Your visa application may need to include special letters or documents (such as a letter of acceptance from the educational institution or program). Apply early for your visa to provide ample time for processing. Embassies and Consulates can usually issue your student visa 120 days before your program registration date.

Students studying in Europe: If you are traveling to the Schengen Area (most of Western Europe), we advise you to familiarize yourself with the restrictions on periods of stay and the ability to do back-to-back programs or extended travel before or after your program. You can consult the U.S. Department of State website for Schengen area borders agreement information.

Visas are granted only from the issuing Embassy or Consulate of the host country. The Study Abroad office is not a visa provider and does not have control over visa regulations or denials.

Transcripts are a complete record of all courses and degrees completed at Fresno State. Coursework from other institutions will not appear on your Fresno State transcript. For more information on how to request an official transcript visit the Office of the University Registrar.

Taking Medication Abroad

If you take prescription medication or over-the-counter medication on a regular basis, research its availability and legality in your host country before going abroad. You should never abruptly discontinue your medication. Prescribed medication regimens are important to your health and well-being. Below are some things to consider when taking both prescription and non-prescription medications abroad:

Before You Depart

  • Do not assume that prescription and over-the-counter medications available in the US are approved or legal in another country. Consult with your treating physician at least two months prior to departure about specific medications, and obtain a list of comparable, generic names — including their dosage, composition, and the chemical names of active ingredients, which determines the permissibility of the medication in the foreign country. Plan to travel with “requisite medical documentation,” which includes a letter from the prescribing doctor.
  • Obtain a translation of your documentation, if possible.
  • Some countries do not allow certain medications (including both prescription and non-prescription) and/or may require that you obtain a medical provider note or prescription documentation. Pain medications, ADD/ADHD stimulants, steroids, sedatives/anxiety medications, and injectable medications of any type may need additional documentation or may be illegal in certain countries. If you are in possession of illegal medications (even if you obtained them legally in the U.S.) or do not have the proper documentation, your medications may be confiscated and you could be arrested or deported.

Traveling with Medication

  • Medication should be packed in its original container with the traveler’s name on them. Do not combine different medications in one container in order to save space.
  • Pack your medication in a carry-on bag, because your checked baggage is occasionally lost or delayed.
  • Third parties should not carry prescription medication for another person.
  • Travelers should not travel with more than personal-use quantities. This generally means no more than a 90-day supply (in some countries 30 days).
  • Declare all prescription medications on the Customs form when you arrive in country.
  • Students with diabetes and those who use any injectable medications should obtain and carry, at all times, a doctor’s letter explaining the need to carry needles and syringes.

In-Country Guidance

You may find that you need to refill your prescription while abroad. Many pharmacies in other countries will only fill prescriptions written in that country (i.e., that are prescribed by doctors who are licensed to practice in that country). It will be critical to have a letter from a US doctor during this appointment that explains the diagnosis, treatment, and medication regimen.

Resources

Study Abroad Packing Tips

Deciding what to pack for study abroad is no joke. You only have a few bags to fit all the essentials for your time abroad, plus airline weight restrictions to keep in mind! After many student stories on what to pack for study abroad we put together a helpful study abroad packing tips list.

DO pack over-the-counter medications if you have strong preferences for certain brands. Some countries may not carry the brands you are used to.

DO learn about the weather and culture of your study abroad location in order to decide what type of clothing you should pack.

DO consider bringing a gift unique to where you are from if you are living in a homestay.

Important Travel Items 

  • Passport and/or visa (plus copies or scan copies just in case)
  • Plane Tickets info
  • Printed insurance card info
  • Credit/debit cards
  • Cell phone and charger
  • Pen or Pencil 
  • Masks
  • Hand sanitizer
  • Antibacterial wipes
  • Few snacks
  • Prescription (if needed)Bring enough for length of stay. If longer than three months, you will need to see a doctor abroad to re-prescribe. Speak with your doctor before you leave—prescriptions cannot be transferred. 

Money - Check the currency of the host country and what would be the best to use

  • Cash – for the trip from the United States to your destination. Keep in a safe place/money belt. 
  • Credit cards – Notify bank/credit card companies that you are going abroad. Not all credit cards will work in train stations/stores abroad. Consider using a card with a special chip embedded or bringing a Travelex card. 
  • ATM card – take note of the international fees charged by both your bank and the ATM. Consider withdrawing a large amount of cash at a time and storing in a safe place.

Clothes - Bring clothes that are easily layers for various climate conditions, do not need ironing, can be drip-dried, and are comfortable and durable. Check your program for special dress requirements. 

  • Jeans – A few pairs. Levi’s are very expensive abroad.
  • Coat/jacket (check the weather in your host country)
  • Pajamas – two pair at most
  • Walking shoes – Find a comfy fashionable shoe – walking is a major part of everyday life.
  • Money belt
  • Flip flops – Good for showering in hostels. One pair is enough.
  • Swimsuit
  • Underwear
  • Socks
  • Tops

Toiletries - Do not bring hair blow dryer-American products use a lot of power and can fry circuits.

  • Hair brush/comb 
  • Toothbrush
  • Deodorant 
  • Razors 
  • Hand sanitizer 
  • Portable Kleenex 
  • Contact lenses solution
  • Sunblock/Suntan lotion
  • Menstrual hygiene items
  • Preferred skincare/makeup

Electronic - Bring all you electronics with you in the carry on

  • Cell phone and charger- Your cell phone will not work abroad, unless you can buy a SIM card faring cell phone. A cheap cell phone can be purchased abroad – pay by the minute. Ask your onsite program coordinator to take you to the local phone store.
  • Laptop and charger
  • Headphones
  • Power strip with converter 
  • Flash drive 

Luggage

  • Carry-on luggage – Check your airline – usually you are allowed one carry-on size bag as well as a personal item, such as a laptop bag, purse, etc. Some airlines charge for a second checked bag. Pack a few outfits in the carryon in case your luggage arrives after you do. 
  • Toiletries in your carryon – All must fit in a quart-size bag and be 3.4 ounces or less.

Contacts Abroad 

  • Have on paper a contact person you can call in case of an emergency.
  • Electronics – For major American phone companies, texting and calling rates are extremely expensive. Use text messaging when contacting family members abroad through free apps that work through Wi-Fi. 
  • Google Voice – Get a Gmail account. You can set up Google Voice from Google to calltext family members for free while abroad. Registering in the United States is free while registering abroad is not.
  • Zoom –  is a great free way to talk and see your family> download the application and keep in touch with your friends back home as well as those you make abroad.

Travel 

  • Trains – Buying train tickets is similar to buying plane tickets. The further in advance you buy them the cheaper they are. Consider planning your trips at least a month in advance. 
  • Rick Steves’ Europe – Useful traveling advice. Book and website www.ricksteves.com. 
  • Ryan Air/Easy Jet – Cheap plane tickets in Europe. Buy in advance to save more. 

Extras

  • Blanket 
  • Umbrella 
  • Sunglasses
  • Padlock 
  • Ear plugs 
  • Travel pillow 
  • A book 
  • Backpack or purse 

DON'T overpack clothes. Imagine that you’re only packing for a two-week trip. You’ll rarely need more than two weeks’ worth of clothes because you'll have access to laundry. Chances are you’ll want to buy more clothes while abroad.

DON'T pack bed linens, kitchen utensils, or other household items before reading the Housing section of your Pre Departure Information. Most housing options are furnished, so most of these household items are not necessary to bring along.

DON'T bring more than you can carry. Only pack what you are willing to carry up multiple stairs by yourself! When in doubt, pack lighter—Center staff can help you find whatever you may need in your host country.

Parents are very important supporters of students' international experiences. Browse the resources available on this site and talk to your student to better understand the process. You may want to review information about the program your student has selected as well.

The Study Abroad Office adheres to Fresno State’s policy regarding communicating with parents under the Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (http://www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/financialaid/parents/ferpa.html), the federal legislation that governs the privacy of student records. While the Study Abroad Office is happy to answer questions from a student’s support network, in many cases we are not able to share information due to FERPA regulations. Under FERPA, the Study Abroad office and the university may NOT release any of student information listed below:

  • Contact information while abroad
  • Student's program status
  • Grades and transcripts
  • Course and/ or schedule information
  • Medical information
  • Housing

The Study Abroad Office is committed to preparing and supporting your student in studying abroad. We encourage parents to talk with their students throughout the study abroad process, to gain relevant information from them, and to maintain contact with their students while abroad.

For additional information about FERPA, please go to: https://www2.ed.gov/policy/gen/guid/fpco/ferpa/index.html

Adapted from The University of South Carolina, University of Chicago and Brown University.

A study abroad experience can be an immensely rewarding academic, personal and professional pursuit. It is your chance to explore the world, learn about a new culture, push your boundaries and grow as a person. It also challenges you to think about your own identity in a new cultural context. You may find that aspects of your identity that you may not have thought about or may have taken for granted here in the United States are now a defining part of who you are in a new environment. Some of you might have the experience of being in the minority for the first time.  Others might be concerned that their race, sexual orientation, language, ethnicity, religion, gender, etc. will impact their experience.  

Below are a few things you can do to prepare yourself:

  • Read up on the host country’s history, culture, laws, and demographics. If reading news articles, commentaries, or blogs, consider the lens through which the information was written.
  • Reach out to students who have studied abroad in your host country (Our office can provide names of former study abroad students).
  • Make use of online resources, (even social media which may be less "filtered" than news sources in some countries, or may include current events/stories that aren't "news-worthy") that offer advice, personal narratives, and other information.

With global acceptance of the LGBTQ+ community on the rise, students who belong to this community have many great opportunities to explore cultural aspects of their identity while abroad. However, just as in the US, attitudes and understanding of LGBTQ+ individuals and issues vary by region so it helps to prepare before you go. Students who identify as LGBTQ+ should research their destination to learn about the cultural norms around LGBTQ+ rights and issues in their location.

Laws, cultures, and popular attitudes vary from country to country in terms of how sexual orientation, same-sex sexual contact, and gender identities are defined and understood. Some countries are more inclusive and more supportive of LGBTQ+ rights than the U.S.  In others, it may be inadvisable, illegal, or even dangerous for you to come out abroad. While Fresno State affirms those who identify as LGBTQ+, the resources and tips below are intended to help navigate spaces that are outside of campus and the US. Remember, US citizens are subject to the laws of their host country. Therefore, it is extremely important to know the legal regulations and conditions of your location before you go.

Questions to Consider:

Finding a community abroad

  • Is there a local LGBTQ+ organization that organizes meetings or events?
  • How important is it for me to connect with other LGBTQ+ individuals while abroad?
  • Are there any LGBTQ+ friendly establishments in my local community? How can I locate them?
  • What LGBTQ+ resources are available to me at my host university?
  • How open will I be about my sexual orientation and gender identity with my peers, professors, and others I meet while abroad?

Health, Safety, Legality

  • Will my host family be accepting of my identity?
  • What are my safety needs and perceptions, and how can they best be met? Is the program able to make special accommodations for students who request single rooms, private baths, or certain roommates?
  • Are there specific safety issues for LGBTQ+ individuals in my host country?
  • What is the legality of same-sex sexual behavior?
  • Are there any restrictions on the expression of LGBTQ individuals?
  • Are there hate crime laws in place that protect LGBTQ individuals?

Transgender Students

  • Will I need access to any medications or medical services abroad to support my medical needs? Are these medications, like hormones, available in my host country, or can I legally travel with them?
  • Does my insurance cover health services, including physical transition, while abroad?
  • What laws are in place regarding gender identity and travel documentation?
  • How are transgender individuals perceived in my host country?
  • What are my safety needs and perceptions, and how can they best be met? Is the program able to make special accommodations for students who request single rooms, private baths, or certain roommates?

Additional Resources

In order for all students to enjoy a safe and rewarding study abroad experience, we encourage students with documented disabilities to consider the types of accommodations they will need when exploring the possibilities for study abroad. Many Fresno State programs are accessible to most students with disabilities, and we will work to ensure reasonable accommodations, when they can be arranged.

Keep in mind that attitudes and laws related to disabilities vary by culture and these differences impact the level of accommodation available in a particular location. Students are advised to work closely with both Student Disability Services and the Study Abroad Office as they prepare to participate in a study abroad program. Early planning and open communication are important.

Steps to take:

  • If you have not already done so, you should schedule a meeting with the office of Services for Students with Disabilities  http://www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/ssd/ to initiate the accommodation process.
  • You should then contact your program coordinator to discuss site-specific accommodation possibilities in light of the location and program type.

Questions to consider:

  • What kind of accommodations will I need abroad?
  • What are the laws regarding accessibility in my host country?
  • Do I have the appropriate documentation for my accommodations?
  • What is the local learning environment like?
  • What housing and transportation options exist for someone with my disability?
  • Who are the faculty and staff I will need to work with on site to make arrangements for my accommodations?
  • Is it possible for the program to accommodate my disability in the same way it would be accommodated on campus? If not, am I willing to make adjustments in order to participate in this particular program?

Additional Resources:

First generation students (along with students from diverse socio-economic backgrounds) may be in an especially unique position to succeed in study abroad given previous experience with forging new paths for themselves in college and navigating unfamiliar environments and systems. They may also have unique challenges and concerns depending on financial circumstances and their support systems at home and on-campus. First generation students might be especially concerned about how much it will cost to study abroad. If your family has not traveled much out of the country—let alone studied abroad for an extended period of time—you may not have many people from home who understand why you would want to leave the country, be able to help guide you through this experience, or help you to make it more affordable. In preparing for study abroad, here are a few tips and resources to help you successfully navigate the process and costs involved so that you take full advantage of this opportunity to learn and grow:

  • Define and articulate your reasons and goals for study abroad:  Especially if your family and friends are unfamiliar with travel and the study abroad experience, you may need to think strategically about articulating how this experience will benefit you. Consider how your program will be of use to you academically, professionally, personally, or otherwise.
  • Get informed:  Seek out the many campus resources that can help you plan for study abroad in light of existing program and funding opportunities. At a minimum, talk with your Study Abroad Advisor and your Academic Adviser to be sure your chosen program fits well within your degree plan. 
  • Learn about your destination:  Your family may have questions about what life is like in the country where you will be living and studying, including whether it will be safe. Take some time to read and research your host city and country, especially if you do not know much about its history, geography, language, or culture. If you have other specific questions, contact your Program Coordinator.
  • Plan for expenses: Understand all the costs associated with the program and find out if/how financial aid applied to study abroad. Then make a budget for yourself based on the remaining out-of-pocket expenses (estimates are included on each program page). Compare this to what you would be spending for the same kinds of expenses if you were living on campus, but remember that your program fee, which is eligible for financial aid, will already cover some expenses (such as tuition and housing). For other out-of-pocket expenses:
  • If you plan ahead, there may be scholarships available. See the Scholarships and Grants page of the Study Abroad Office website.
  • Make sure you factor in your passport and, if necessary, visa fees.
  • Some meals may be included in your program fee—check with your Program Coordinator.
  • The cost of food and groceries could be lower or higher than in Fresno, depending on your location. Ask your Program Coordinator about the cost of living in your program destination.
  • Bring your student ID to get discounts when you are abroad.
  • Some locations might require using public transportation to get to and from class—check with your Program Coordinator about how much you can expect to spend on local transportation.
  • Find support:  Once abroad, it is important to have support networks in place. Seek out friends from your program who can share this experience with you, and, if possible, make local friends who can help you navigate your temporary home. Your on-site program staff are also always there to lend an ear or help you out when you need it.

Questions to consider:

Family/Friends

  • How can I let them know it is safe to travel abroad?
  • How can I stay in touch with my family and friends while abroad?
  • How can I discuss the contribution study abroad will have towards my academic and career goals?
  • How will my family be involved in my study abroad process?

Program Fit

  • How long do I want to study abroad?
  • When would I like to go abroad?
  • How far from family and friends am I willing to be?
  • What kind of city would I like to be in?
  • What is my budget for my time abroad?
  • What aspects of a program would I like to have included in my experience? (i.e. excursions, activities, housing…)

Planning

  • How can I make study abroad affordable?
  • How can I know I am making the right choice since no one in my family has studied abroad before?
  • How can I find courses that will work for my academic plan?
  • How can I know I am on track in the process?
  • Are there funding sources that I can investigate to support my time abroad?

Additional Resources:

  • Diversity Abroad: Diversity Abroad provides resources and tools for diverse students to participate in a study abroad program, with information specific to first-generation students.
  • GoAbroad: An in-depth guide for first-generation travelers including benefits gained from study abroad. 
  • I’m first!: A great resource with information, videos, and blogs from other first-generation students that have studied abroad.
  • IES Abroad: Blogs and stories from first-generation students.
  • The Californian Abroad: One student’s experience of being a first-generation student abroad.

Racial and ethnic minorities in the United States have historically studied abroad at lower rates than their counterparts. However, there have been small but consistent increases in study abroad participation rates among students of color. The students from underrepresented groups who do participate in study abroad programs are motivated by a variety of factors including cultural heritage. For these students, studying abroad in their ancestral land  provides a unique opportunity to connect and learn about their ancestral and cultural history. When studying abroad in their ancestral land, students may find that their perceptions of their host country will be challenged. Students may find that the local community accepts them because of shared ethnic ties, but students may still be viewed as an outsider due to cultural and national identity differences. Heritage seeking students will be able to learn more about themselves and how they identify with others throughout their experience abroad. Talk to your Study Abroad Advisor about the possibility of choosing a program that explores your heritage.

Questions to consider:

How do I learn more about my country of origin?
How will my heritage, race, and ethnicity be perceived in my home/host country?
What aspects of my heritage am I most interested in learning more about (Religion, Language, Cuisine)?
Will I be accepted by the citizens in my home/host region? What should I do if I’m not accepted?
Will there be other heritage students in my program?
Am I used to being part of the minority at home? How will it be to be a part of the majority abroad?
Do I speak the language of my home/host country and how will that affect my experience?
How should I react if other students in the program look to me to be an “expert” even if I’m not?
How should I react if someone generalizes or incorrectly identifies my ethnicity?
Additional Resources:

Diversity Abroad (https://www.diversityabroad.com/articles/tips-heritage-seekers-traveling-abroad) Tips for Heritage Seekers who are travelling abroad.
Studying Abroad in my Own Country: (https://teanabroad.org/blog/studying-abroad-in-my-own-country/)A Thai-American student’s experience studying abroad in Chiang Mai, Thailand for a summer.
Finding Identity as an Indian Heritage Student: (https://www.ifsa-butler.org/student-story/finding-identity-as-an-indian-heritage-student/)An account of an Indian student’s experience studying abroad for a semester in Manipal, India.
Exploring my Mexican Identity in Mexico: (https://www.ifsa-butler.org/student-story/exploring-my-mexican-identity-in-mexico/)
A first-generation student’s experience studying abroad in Mexico, the home of her parents before they moved to the United States.
Seeking your Roots: https://news.utexas.edu/2010/07/09/seeking-your-roots/ An article outlining a few students’ experiences as heritage seekers.

While you are abroad you may be identified as part of a particular race or ethnicity, or simply as an American student. The people you meet will likely have an opinion about the US and may be eager to tell you what they think, positive or negative. Attitudes toward other races and ethnicities may also vary widely depending on where you are studying.

The people you encounter may make certain assumptions about you based on your physical appearance, the fact that you are speaking English or that you are speaking the local language with a foreign accent. Some may be interested to learn more about your culture or ethnicity, but there may be others whose behavior toward you might make you uncomfortable. They may stare at you, try to touch your hair or your skin, or ask invasive questions about your cultural heritage, physical features, or national origins. Children in particular may approach you as something of a novelty if you are studying abroad in a location where people have had little or no contact with people of varied races or ethnicities.

In these situations, it is best to try to assume positive intent. While the person may have said or done something that is offensive to you, they may not have intended to do so and may simply be curious to know more. Political correctness is far less common in other countries than it is here in the US. Nevertheless, if an encounter makes you uncomfortable, it is best to remove yourself from the situation as quickly as possible. Your first priority should be your own safety.

Questions to consider:

What are some common perceptions/stereotypes about my race or ethnicity in my host country?
How will I react if I encounter racism or other discriminatory behavior? How should I react?
Is there a history of racial or ethnic tension in my host country?
How will my personal experiences with my racial identity shape my experience abroad?
Will there be other minority students in my program?
Who should I contact if I encounter racial bias abroad?
Does my program have support staff what will understand and help me through any racial or discriminatory incident I may face?
Would I be comfortable studying somewhere where no one else looks like me?
Are there laws governing race related crime in your host country?
What are some products and services that I have at home that may not be accessible in my host country?
Resources:

Fresno State’s Cross Cultural and Gender Center (https://www.fresnostate.edu/studentaffairs/ccgc/)
A guide for racial & ethnic minority students abroad (https://www.diversityabroad.com/articles/students-of-color-abroad)
PLATOS Project offers links to organizations, resources, and scholarships that support academic advancement for underrepresented groups.(http://www.globaled.us/plato/resources.html)
Race Abroad - A detailed guide for students of color who are preparing to live abroad.https://www.gvsu.edu/cms4/asset/EC113DA5-BC43-0135-9E8DAE1003FAFFF2/glimpse_race_abroad_guide.pdf
Student blog about being black and abroad https://blog.usac.edu/black-abroad-my-experience-in-chengdu-china/