Getting ready to go abroad, step 2
By Jaclyn Nicolosi
Okay guys, so after being accepted into the Rider portion of the study abroad process, it’s time to move forward. As I said in the last blog, once accepted you will sign into the Rider studyabroad.edu webpage and be greeted with a whole bunch of checklists. Don’t be discouraged yet, everything will be explained and you will get assistance on later dates. If you’re anything like me you might be scared from the beginning, but don’t let that happen; everything will be okay.
The first orientation is the first step in continuing this process. This meeting will inform all students of how to take the next step. That being: what papers to hand in, when and steps for getting your courses figured out. There may be little time to do this, but just be sure to get all the signatures needed and have a clear idea of what you want to take ahead of time and you will be okay. As a side-note, these deadlines can be changed if you keep in touch with the study abroad office; they are very helpful and nice throughout the whole process.
I recommend that if you know you want to do this, plan for it ahead of time. I have planned to this since the first meeting I had with my adviser during the fall semester of my freshmen year. We planned to have all my general electives open since I wasn’t able to take education classes overseas. Other majors and programs may differ but my overall point is to plan ahead and it will be less stressful.
My other advice to you is to get a passport, now. It may take time and they want to see it before all the paperwork gets handed in. Some of you may not have the time to do this on time if you haven’t been advised to ahead of time. So get a passport, it won’t hurt to have one!
The office of International Students is very helpful and informative. They are open to all questions and understand how difficult and stressful this process can be. Just think, like college, there have been plenty who have done this before and others will do it after you…it can be done.
