Undocumented + DACA Students

Does a domestic or international program make the most sense?  Does study abroad/away fit into your academic plan? Talk with your academic advisor and support network at St. Olaf to ensure you will receive enough credits to graduate and that the program fits into your academic plan.  Meet with your academic advisor and St. Olaf program advisor to discuss requirements for your major, minor, and concentration.

Traveling can be challenging and overwhelming, especially if you are the first to do it in your family.  Talk with other Oles who have studied on your program(s) of interest to gather advice, tools, and other resources you will need while abroad/away.  Find people on and off campus that will support your decision to study abroad/away (i.e. family, peers, friends, legal representatives, academic advisor, provider, etc.).  The Smith Center can provide you with resources and support before, during and after your study abroad/away program.

Do you have a passport?  If not, do you have the proper documents to obtain your passport?  What is the validity of your current documents?  When do the documents expire?  Do you have a Social Security Number or proof of citizenship to study internationally?

For DACA students, advance-parole must be granted before leaving the United States to study abroad.  Traveling with the “issue date” and return date is important.  What does this process look like?  How long will it take?  This process can take 9 months.  You will need to plan ahead.

You will continue to receive St. Olaf financial aid if you study on an approved Smith Center program and will automatically be considered for a St. Olaf Study Abroad/Away Scholarship.  There will be additional costs to consider (visas, meals, transportation costs, etc.).  We encourage you to meet with a Smith Center Advisor and the Financial Aid Office to discuss costs, scholarships available to you and aid.

What are the immigration policies in your home country and host country?  What is the current political climate between these two countries?  How might governmental policies change in the coming months as you plan and study abroad/away?  What documentation will you need to be able to return to the U.S.?

What documents will you need to be able to enter your host country and re-enter the U.S.?  Will you need a visa?  Become familiar with visa process if applicable – What is the visa process for the host country? Can you apply for a visa from the United States?  In some cases processing time for travel documents can be delayed with consulates and embassies.  Allow for extra time to process your travel documents.

Advance-parole does not guarantee entry/re-entry into the United States. Students who choose to apply for Advance Parole must acknowledge the difficulty and risk involved in the process (risks include: re-entry not guaranteed, immigration changes while abroad, may be deemed inadmissible for reasons unknown at the border, etc.).  An immigration attorney can also help to advise you and your family.  It can be tricky to reenter the United States or return home if regulations and policies have changed.