Whether or not you have made a definite decision about study away, you should consider the following before you decide upon a specific program:

1.  Be flexible when selecting your preferred study away term. As you complete the Request for Approval to Study Away, think carefully about your choice of preferred study away semester based on your major requirements, choice of program, and campus commitments. Be sure to include reasons for your preferred semester in your Request. Note that Trinity asks students who wish to study away for one semester to be as flexible as possible with their study away term. Although the OIP is able to honor most requests for a particular semester, students may be approved to study away in either semester.

 2.  Seek a challenging academic program.  Before selecting your program, it is important to consider your overall academic goals seriously – what fields of study do you wish to pursue while studying away; how will another culture enhance your major or intended major, your minor, or general education requirements; and what skills do you wish to acquire abroad.  You should discuss your options with your adviser and with other faculty who have expertise in your academic area and/or   knowledge of your programs of interest. The Office of International Programs can also help you with your research. 

3.  Focus on your personal goals, preferences, and priorities.  As you consider all of your options for study away, try to establish the distinguishing characteristic of the program and how that program will augment your education.  Think about the program in the context of your academic and personal goals, interests, and obligations. Plan carefully so that your study away courses and experience will connect meaningfully to your major or interdisciplinary minor at Trinity.  Think also about how the program you select will fulfill your overall degree requirements. How will a period of study away affect or enhance your later career and graduate study plans? Also, consider your personal obligations and schedule, including, for example, how plans for summer employment might influence your selection. Many academic schedules outside the U.S. run through the end of June or into July.  If you are studying south of the equator, you may well attend school through what would be our summer. 

 4.   Decide on the location in which you wish to study.  Do you wish to study in a major city or in a rural area or small town?  Remember that some countries in which Trinity students study are smaller in land area than the United States.  It is possible to be near a large city (within a couple of hours by train) while gaining the advantage of integration with local cultures than is possible in a large metropolitan area.

 5.   Determine the language requirements.  Will you need to study and converse in English or are you able to do so in another language?  Study abroad is an excellent way to strengthen your skills in another language or even to start learning another language.  Use the program brochures to determine the language in which courses are taught at a particular program.  Even if your program does not have a language prerequisite, you are strongly encouraged to enroll in at least one year of appropriate language courses at Trinity before your period of study away.  Having background in the language of your host country will make your time abroad more rewarding and will help with your integration into the culture. 

 6.   Consider the various types of programs available.  Think about whether you want a full immersion experience, studying with foreign students in regular university classes, if you prefer to study on a group program with other US students, or if you want a program offering a mixture of its own courses and foreign university courses. Are you independent by nature? Do you have previous international experience? What level of support services do you want from your program?

7.   Think about your housing preferences.  You should consider carefully the type(s) of accommodations offered by a particular program or institution: housing in apartments or residence halls with students from your host country, housing in apartments or residence halls with other international students, or home stays with families.  Some programs may require that you locate your own housing.  Each of these living arrangements has its benefits.  Evaluate your own needs to determine which is right for you.  While a host-family may have certain rules for you to follow, they can also integrate you more fully into the host culture.  If you live in a residence hall, think about whether you would prefer a single or a shared room, and the advantages of sharing a room with a student from the host country. 

8.    Consider visa requirements required for your program of choice.  For most countries, you will be required to apply for a study visa in order to remain in the country for the duration of your program.  Visas may take up to 10 weeks to secure and may require an extensive application process. Many consulates require an in-person appearance in their office, requiring travel to and from the consulate, as well as the payment of visa fees.  If you are planning to study away for the full year in two different countries, please consult with the Office of International Programs to determine if your choice is feasible.