Undergraduate Exchange Programs: How to Apply

Pre-Decision

1. Talk with your academic advisor about the feasibility of studying abroad. Most students can spend a semester abroad if they plan early with their academic advisor.
2. Research programs on the Smith School website and the Education Abroad website.
3. Contact the Smith School Office of Global Programs (OGP). Chris Olson is the coordinator for semester programs, and can be reached at clolson@rhsmith.umd.edu. He will help advise and start the application process for the exchange programs.
4. Complete your application:
   1. Visit the Education Abroad website and click “Explore Programs” then “Exchange with Foreign Universities” and then your selected program.
   2. Log-on with your Directory ID and password. Answer any questions pertaining to Emergency Contact Information and past disciplinary action.
   3. You will arrive at the program application page and will be asked to complete the following requirements. Note that you do not need to complete all requirements in one session. Simply log-on to myea.umd.edu with your Directory ID and log-in to revisit open applications.
      1. Submit an official transcript to the Smith School Office of Global Programs. This can be requested at the Mitchell Building and costs $8.
      2. Schedule an appointment with Chris Olson, your regional advisor.
      3. Electronically sign the Waiver of Responsibility.
      4. Upload a copy of your current resume.
      5. Complete the Statement of Purpose, answering the questions listed.
   4. Take note of the application deadlines:
      1. October 1 - Spring exchange programs
      2. March 1 - Fall exchange programs

Post-Decision

1. You will be notified by OGP about your application status about one week after the application deadline. If you are approved, OGP will formally nominate you to your host institution and will send you confirmation via email.
2. If you wish to accept your position, log-on to your myEA account and click “Commit”
   1. Course Pre-Approval Documentation
      1. Meet with your Smith academic advisor to review courses you are interested in taking. Most universities will not have their schedule posted for the semester when you will be abroad. However, look at past course offerings and UMD course equivalencies to get a sense of what may be offered.
      2. Begin the process of your Permission to Study Abroad (PSA) form. Start by making an appointment with the campus Education Abroad (EA) office by visiting their website. You will need to schedule an appointment with the regional advisor of the region of your program. Bring with you the list of courses you discussed with your academic advisor and the EA regional advisor will complete the PSA with you.
      3. Schedule an appointment with your Smith academic advisor and bring the PSA to that meeting. If there are courses that have not been previously reviewed, you will need to bring course syllabi so that your academic advisor can have them reviewed for transfer credit.
      4. Return the completed and signed PSA to Education Abroad, and keep a copy to submit to the Office of Student Financial Aid.
   2. Complete Flight Information form (after you have booked your flights)
   3. Complete your Passport Information Form
3. Complete and submit necessary documents for the host university. This will depend on your particular university and could include an online or paper application or require passport photos. The deadlines will vary, so you must pay attention to communications from the host university. The Office of Global Programs will do one mailing per program on behalf of all students for any documents that need to be sent in hard copy. Take note of when OGP sets that deadline so you can have those sent; otherwise you will be responsible for mailing the documents.
4. Receive confirmation from the host university. Once you receive the packet of information (either electronically or in hard copy), you can begin the process of getting a visa and booking your flight. Every university operates on a different schedule and will mail out acceptance documentation at different times.
5. Apply for a visa. For most countries, a study visa is required. You will likely not be able to apply for one until you receive information from your host university. Most countries will require an in-person appointment; check with the embassy of your host country for more information.

If you are interested in applying to a semester-long program, please contact Chris Olson at clolson@rhsmith.umd.edu or 301-405-4824.