{"id":1058,"date":"2022-08-15T00:14:54","date_gmt":"2022-08-15T05:14:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/?page_id=1058"},"modified":"2025-12-08T10:25:21","modified_gmt":"2025-12-08T16:25:21","slug":"international-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/identity-resources\/international-students\/","title":{"rendered":"International Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

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Students traveling on a non-US passport will have unique opportunities and challenges during their study abroad\/away experience(s). \u00a0The Smith Center recognizes and honors that many students may face unique familial, financial, and\/or personal barriers in the study\u00a0abroad\/away process. \u00a0The Smith Center strives to remove as many barriers as possible, but we are also committed to being realistic about the options for students who do not hold a US passport, including those who are undocumented, international or exchange students, and students who are US permanent residents or Green Card holders. \u00a0We strongly encourage all students interested in studying abroad\/away to meet with the Smith Center<\/a>\u00a0or the\u00a0Taylor Center<\/a>\u00a0about the study abroad\/away program options, logistics, travel document or visa requirements, etc.<\/p>\n\n\t\t<\/figcaption>\n\t\n<\/figure>\n\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t

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Does a domestic or international program make more sense for your academic and career goals?\u00a0 How long do you want to be abroad\/away? \u00a0How will your abroad\/away experience fit into your four-year plan?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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What documents will you need to be able to successfully study abroad\/away and do you have access to those documents (e.g., a visa)? \u00a0What personal or college information or materials (e.g., a birth certificate) will you need to apply for these documents? Do you have access to those materials?\u00a0 Are there any extra costs associated with documents needed to obtain a visa?\u00a0 It may be complicated or difficult to gain travel documents for a program that includes multiple countries or multiple entries to one country. What is the itinerary of your proposed program?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Depending on your citizenship, does your proposed country of study have diplomatic relationships with your country of citizenship that may help or hinder your chance of approval for a visa?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Your financial aid package (including scholarships and grants \u2013 with the exception of work study while abroad\/away) will be applied to your study abroad\/away\u00a0program.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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If you are living with a host family, have they hosted a student who is not from the US in the past? \u00a0If not, will this be an issue for them \u2013 or for you?<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Traveling or studying abroad is an exciting and sometimes challenging time, especially, if you are the first in your family to do it. \u00a0Be sure to find people on and off campus who support your decision. Talk with other students about their experience abroad\/away \u2013 what are their tips, insights, and advice?\u00a0 Do your research! \u00a0The more you know about your academic program and the host community, the more you can prepare and share with your support networks.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Think about the history and relations of your own country with the host community, this may make your experience abroad different from other students in the program. Consider whether that would be an issue for you or not. Think about the history and relations of your own country with the host community, this may make your experience abroad different from other students in the program. Consider whether that would be an issue for you or not.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t\n

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Student visa requirements vary by country based on the country of citizenship of each individual.\u00a0 While U.S. citizens do not require a visa for some countries, that requirement may be different for international students. The Smith Center program budget sheets only list a cost for visas when required for U.S. citizen, therefore the visa cost for you may be different from what has been included in the published Smith Center budget.\u00a0 In the case that you require a visa when one is not required for U.S. citizens or the cost of a visa for persons of your nationality is different from that of U.S. citizens, Financial Aid may be able to reevaluate your scholarship\/aid package for participating in the program.<\/p>\n

It is important for you to research the visa requirement for individuals of your nationality well in advance and before choosing a program. Sometimes, you may need to apply for \u201ctransit visas\u201d to pass through countries on the way to your final destination. A good place to start this research would be your home country embassy\u2019s\u00a0 or consulate\u2019s\u00a0 website.<\/p>\n

U.S. Student Visa (F-1)<\/strong><\/p>\n

As a F1 international student interested in studying abroad you should meet with the Assistant Director For International Student Engagement regarding your plans to study abroad and compliance with your U.S. student visa status. During this meeting, you and the Assistant Director For International Student Engagement will address some important topics that you will need to keep in mind when choosing a study abroad\/away program. For example, you will determine when and for how long you can study abroad and remain in compliance with your U.S. student visa status.<\/p>\n <\/div>\n <\/div>\n <\/article>\n\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t<\/div>\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t

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Helpful Links<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
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General International Students Study Abroad Resources<\/strong><\/h5>\n

Can International Students in the United States Study Abroad? (A Homeland Security resource)<\/a>
\nDACA Student Resource Page (A NAFSA resource)<\/a>
\nImmigrant Legal Resource Center \u2013 DACA Students<\/a>
\nStudy in the USA \u2013 Can I Study Abroad while Abroad?<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t

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#OlesOffCampus! My Identity Off Campus Story<\/h2>\n\n\t\t\t<\/header>\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t
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\u201cMy name is Taizhou Chen and I am an International student from Ningbo, China. I have participated in two off campus programs. The first one was at London School of Economics(LSE) in 2019 and the other one is at Lancaster University this past year. Both of the two universities are in England. Both experiences were awesome. Life at LSE in London is a fantastic urban life that I never get tired of, and have a lot of activities to do.\u00a0 The academic rigor at LSE is also outstanding. The life at Lancaster is more like an adventure into the rural side of England, which I experienced a lot by the nature side of England. In general, it was marvelous to have\u00a0 two study abroad opportunities and I will always appreciate these experiences.\u201d
\n-Taizhou Chen \u201921, Lancaster University and London School of Economics and Political Science<\/em><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t

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SHARE YOUR #OLESOFFCAMPUS IDENTITY STORY!<\/a><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> \n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> \n\t<\/div> \n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n

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