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Getting Started - Steps to Studying Abroad

 

STEP 1:     PASSPORT:  If you do not currently have a passport, you need to apply for one now.  Current processing times are 10-13 weeks (not including up to 2 weeks of mailing time after passport is printed).  If you are applying for a new passport, you will need to make an appointment in person at a passport processing center (typically a post office). Even if you aren’t 100% certain you're going to study abroad you need to apply NOW to put yourself in a position to go.  You must renew your passport (by mail) if it will expire before December of your senior year. Valid passport scans are due to be uploaded to your Holy Cross Study Abroad online application by 15 February 2025.   For passport information, visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html

Stop by the Office of Study Abroad for our Passport Day on TBA in the Study Abroad conference room, Smith 215 for assistance with your application forms and to have your passport photo taken. 
 
STEP 2:     ATTEND THE STUDY ABROAD EXPO on Monday, 9 September 2024 from 5:00 - 7:00 PM in the Hogan Ballroom. Students who studied abroad last year (returnees) will share their experiences, photos, memorabilia, and answer any questions you may have. Learn from fellow students what the study abroad experience is all about! 
 

STEP 3:       

  • RESEARCH AVAILABLE PROGRAMS:  Go to https://sa.holycross.edu and click on Program Search at the top of the left-hand navigation column.
  • ATTEND COUNTRY-SPECIFIC INFORMATION SESSIONS (TBA) scheduled throughout September and October. 
  • MAKE AN APPOINTMENT to speak with a Study Abroad Director of the program or programs that interest you.  The director’s name and contact information is located at the bottom of the brochure page for each program in the online application portal.  You can make an appointment by clicking on the Make An Advising Appointment Here tab on the left-side navigation column at https://sa.holycross.edu.  
  • INTERESTED IN A LANGUAGE IMMERSION PROGRAM?  You will need to make an appointment with a language faculty advisor and have them submit the Certification of Advising with Language Faculty (CALF) to Study Abroad before the application deadline of Friday, 15 November 2024.  The language faculty advisor is noted with an * on this Department Chair and Study Abroad Advisor spreadsheet. 
STEP 4:   MEET with a Study Abroad Ambassador.  A number of students who have returned from studying abroad last year have volunteered to be Study Abroad Ambassadors.  Get in touch with these ambassadors and take advantage of their experience! 


STEP 5:  TALK TO YOUR ACADEMIC ADVISOR BEFORE MAKING A PROGRAM CHOICE:.  Consult with your major, minor or concentration advisor and the Study Abroad Advisor in your academic department. 
 
STEP 6:  COMPLETE YOUR APPLICATION ESSAY.  Work with your advisor and a Study Abroad director to develop your goals and priorities for your coursework, co- and extra-curricular activities abroad.  The course choices, as well as your goals, will comprise your application essay for your first choice program.  Should you change programs, we will ask you to revise your essay based on the new program choice.
 
STEP 7SUBMIT YOUR ONLINE APPLICATION.  Once you have determined your program choice, visit https://sa.holycross.edu to apply.  The Apply Now link is available on every program brochure page as well as under the Application Procedure tab on the left-side navigation column.  You are applying for ONE program only - you have the option of selecting an alternate/backup program, but please, one application only.  If you would like to apply to two different semester programs (one in the fall and one in the spring), you may open two applications, one in each term.  
 

Applications for 2025-2026 academic year and semester programs open Sunday, 15 September 2024
and close at midnight on Friday, 15 November 2024

 

Office of Study Abroad, Smith Hall 216 / (508) 793-3082 / Fax (508) 793-3676 / email: studyabr@holycross.edu
 

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