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Procedures for students accepted to study abroad

Procedures for Accepted Students - Roanoke College Programs

Once you have been accepted for study abroad by Roanoke College and by your program, you will need to do the following things: 

  • If your notification of acceptance is mailed directly to you from the host institution or program, bring or forward a copy to the Assistant Director of International Education for your file. Do not lose the letter; you will need it to apply for your visa or upon arrival at the overseas airport. If your notification comes to Roanoke College, the Assistant Director of International Education will provide you with the original copy and keep a photocopy in your file.  

  • Complete and return any forms your program or host university may require regarding your course choices, housing, etc. If you need assistance, see the Assistant Director of International Education.

  • Check your program information or with the Assistant Director of International Education to see if you need will need a student visa. Apply for your visa as early as possible (but typically no sooner than 3 months prior to departure) as it can take several weeks to get a visa. Read the information on the appropriate embassy's or consulate's website regarding applications, fees, required documentation, and appointments carefully. If you have questions regarding obtaining a visa for your host country, see the Assistant Director of International Education.

  • Attend the mandatory pre-departure orientation program. You will be informed of the time and date of orientation by the Assistant Director of International Education.

  • Prepare a budget, including air fare, personal expenses, independent travel, and an emergency fund. Determine how you will meet these expenses.

  • Ask your bank about the fees that will be charged for accessing funds at ATMs overseas. The fees vary substantially from bank to bank. Before departing the U.S., notify your bank that you will be abroad for an extended period so they do not put a hold on your account when they see overseas charges.   

  • Check with your health insurance provider to ascertain what coverage, if any, you have outside the U.S. Note that many countries require documentation of health insurance as part of the visa application process. Purchase any necessary supplements or riders or purchase special study abroad health insurance for the period you will be overseas. The Assistant Director of International Education can provide information on study abroad insurance policy providers.

  • Register your intended dates of travel with the U.S. Department of State. You will also find country information, travel alerts, and other useful information for U.S. citizens living or traveling overseas on the "International Travel" page on the website www.travel.state.gov. Note that Roanoke College policy prohibits students from studying for RC credit or with the benefit of RC financial aid in countries under Department of State travel warnings. We also strongly discourage students from traveling independently to countries under travel warnings during their study abroad period.

  • Once on site at the host program/university, contact the Assistant Director of International Education to indicate you have arrived safely. If you have to change your course registration due to unexpected circumstances (a very common occurrence), your advisor and the registrar can help you obtain new course approvals. Questions or concerns about your housing, meals, or other on-site issues are best directed to the staff at your program or host institution. Contact the Assistant Director of International Education about these issues only if you have attempted to resolve your concerns on site and have been unsuccessful.  

  • Most programs will routinely send a transcript of your academic work abroad to Roanoke College at the end of your study abroad period, but it is important to check to be sure this will be done. You cannot receive any credit for your work abroad until the Registrar's office has received an official transcript.