"Torremaggiore was lifechanging in every way. Personally I grew as well as professionally. I will be a better teacher and person because of this trip. "
Information for Students
Researching Programs
The first step to studying abroad is to conduct your own research – this will help you figure out what kind of program interests you the most. There is not one single, correct way to choose a program. Different students will have different factors that take priority depending on what they would like to get out of their study abroad experience.
- We recommend that you begin by making a list of your priorities (i.e. location, program length, language of instruction, academic goals, cost, preferred type of housing, etc.).
- How long do you want to be abroad?
- What kinds of classes will you need while you are away?
- Are you looking to take courses in another language?
- Do you want to study in a non-English speaking country but take courses in English?
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Do you prefer going abroad alongside a Buffalo State faculty member?
Answering some of these questions can help you narrow down your search!
Additional topics for your consideration:
Buffalo State strives to offer academically relevant study abroad programs to SUNY students. Students from all majors are eligible to study abroad and earn degree credit. A critical piece of preparing to study abroad is considering your academics. The information below explains the process for receiving course approvals, the posting of credits, and enrollment policies as they pertain to study abroad and exchange programs. Students studying on Buffalo State or SUNY study abroad and exchange programs will receive resident credit for courses taken abroad. These courses will appear on your transcript and be calculated into your Buffalo State grade point average.
After you have conducted your research and identified a program (or a couple of programs) that interest you, you’ll want to set up a meeting with your academic advisor to discuss your plans to study abroad. Talking to your academic advisor is an essential part of the study abroad process, helping you ensure that you’ll stay on track with your degree and graduation requirements when you’re abroad. The Office of International Education is not able to advise on course equivalencies or substitutions—only your advisor and department chair can do that—so plan to meet with your advisor early in the planning process.
It’s helpful to be clear about your interests and needs when meeting with your academic advisor in order to get the most out of the discussion. During your meeting with your advisor, you can:
- Make a general academic plan by discussing all the courses that you need to take from now until the time you graduate.
- Determine the best possible time(s) for you to study abroad.
- Ask if there are any requirements that should or should not be taken abroad. For example, are there classes that you need that are only offered during certain semesters on Buffalo State’s campus? Are there some requirements, such as language or cultural studies courses that make sense to take abroad if you can? Are you able to keep any general elective courses open to be satisfied during your time abroad?
- Discuss courses offered on the program(s) you’re interested in participating in. Work to determine how courses offered abroad will satisfy degree requirements (i.e. intellectual foundations courses, specific major or minor courses, or elective requirements needed for graduation).
- Discuss any policies you should be aware of that you might be impacted by your plans to study abroad. For example, some departments require students to submit an academic appeal if they are planning to study away during their final semester. If you are planning to study away during your final semester, will you be required to submit an academic appeal in order to gain approval to do so?
- Plan not only for your semester abroad but for the following semester as well. If you are studying abroad for a semester or academic year, you will be unable to register for the semester following your study abroad program until you have the necessary PIN. Make plans to get this PIN before or while you are away so that you are not held up when trying to enroll in classes for the following semester.
- Ask for your advisor's contact information in case you need to ask questions, discuss future registration, or meet checkpoint requirements while you're abroad.
Students going abroad for a semester or academic year are expected to take a full course load of at least 12 credits per semester while on study abroad or exchange. Each program may set a maximum number of credits that students may take per term, generally ranging from 15-18.
Students who wish to apply their financial aid package toward their study abroad program must ensure that courses taken abroad will satisfy degree requirements needed to graduate. You will not be able to access financial aid if your coursework does not fulfill graduation requirement.
Students planning to study away for their final semester must ensure they have received approval from their academic department. It is the student's responsbility to complete an academic appeal if required by their department.
Passports:
If you have not already done so, apply for your passport as soon as possible! Your passport must be valid for at least six months beyond the end date of your study abroad or exchange program (some countries require longer). If your passport will have less than six months remaining after your program’s end date or will expire when you’re abroad, apply now for a replacement passport.
You visit the USPS passport information page to find more information on applying for or renewing a passport.
Visas:
Certain programs may require that you obtain a visa in addition to your passport before entering your host country. Requirements will vary based on the purpose and duration of your visit as well as your citizenship. Please note some visas are starting to require a Medical Certificate as well (ie Spain). Please check with your program advisor to verify country specific entry and exit requirements.
These processes can be lengthy and it is important to have your passport BEFORE attempting to secure your visa.
As you explore your study abroad options, it is important to consider aspects of your identity. Taking the time to learn about social and cultural norms will help you navigate how aspects of your identity may be perceived and treated in your host country. Experiencing new worldviews and perspectives can foster productive intercultural dialogues but they may also present challenges. The resources below can help you begin to prepare for your time abroad.
You may find it helpful to answer these questions before arriving in your host country:
- What is intersectionality and how might different aspects of your identity intersect/play out during your time abroad?
- How will local legislation affect how you might express your identity in your host country? (i.e., any laws affecting the LGTBQ+ community in countries like Morocco)
- What is the perception of U.S. citizens in your host country?
- What is the historical relationship between your host country and the United States?
- How is race/ethnicity viewed differently in your host country than at home in the U.S.?
- Are there any contemporary issues relating to immigration in your host country? If so, how are these viewed by the local population? Might those issues regarding how you or other students on your program identify? How?
Source: https://www.iesabroad.org/student-diversity-access/navigating-identity-d...
Accessibility Abroad
https://www.miusa.org/resource/tipsheet/prep-your-disability
https://www.miusa.org/resource/tipsheet/disability-resources
https://www.miusa.org/resource/tipsheet/researchyourrights
https://www.diversityabroad.com/articles/students-disabilities-abroad
https://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/yellowbook/2020/travelers-with-additional-c...
https://www.tsa.gov/travel/special-procedures
First Generation Students Abroad
https://www.diversityabroad.com/articles/first-generation-students-trave...
https://www.iesabroad.org/student-diversity-access/resources/social-iden...
https://www.iesabroad.org/blogs?search=first%20generation&category=first...
https://www.ceastudyabroad.com/blog/mojo/2020/02/21/being-a-first-genera...
https://imfirst.org/2013/07/02/how-to-figure-out-study-abroad-as-a-first...
LGBTQIA+ Students Abroad
https://www.diversityabroad.com/articles/lgbtq-students-abroad
https://www.iesabroad.org/student-diversity-access/resources/social-iden...
https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/before-y...
https://ilga.org/maps-sexual-orientation-laws
https://www.tsa.gov/transgender-passengers
Race, Ethnicity, & Nationality Abroad
https://www.diversityabroad.com/
https://www.diversityabroad.com/articles
https://www.diversityabroad.com/articles/students-of-color-abroad
https://www.diversityabroad.com/articles/tips-heritage-seekers-traveling...
http://allabroad.us/
https://www.transitionsabroad.com/listings/study/articles/studyjul1.shtml
Get Help In-Country. Know the local equivalent of 911 so that you can get immediate help in case of emergency. The Department of State lists country specific emergency phone numbers. You can find these by searching for the country you will be visiting and looking under the "Safety and Security" tab for that country.
Contact your insurance provider if the emergency is medical in nature. All Buffalo State students who study abroad are required to be enrolled in SUNY's international health insurance plan administered by United Healthcare. Students should create an account with UHC before leaving the U.S. The UHC contact phone number for each student will be listed on the ID card found in their online portal. General UHC customer service can be reached at 1-888-714-6544.
Contact the Office of International Education. During our regular business hours, Monday-Friday 8:30AM-5:00PM, you can reach us at 716-878-5331.
Contact University Police. If you experience an emergency abroad outside of the Office of International Education's regular business hours, please call the University Police 24 hour line at 716-878-6333.
Country Specific Information
The U.S. Department of State provides safety and security information for every country of the world to help you assess the risks of travel in specific locations you may be planning to study or travel. Each country information page contains a Travel Advisory, Alerts, and other important details specific to that country that could affect you. Pay close attention to the entry and exit requirements, local laws and customs, health conditions, and other details listed. Each country's page will also include the address and phone number of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
Smart Traveler Enrollment Program
Once your student has selected a program and is ready to go overseas, s/he should enroll in the State Department’s Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) to receive important information about local safety conditions and to help connect your student with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate in the event of an emergency. As a parent, you can also sign up in STEP to receive travel and safety updates from the country where your child is studying.
All students participating in study abroad programs must be covered by Buffalo State's international health insurance. In collaboration with United Health, SUNY provides a comprehensive health insurance plan that will provide consistent health insurance coverage and emergency assistance for Buffalo State students studying abroad.
The plan's coverage gives students access to reliable global medical services while traveling internationally, which will minimize the risk of health related problems abroad. Additionally, this coverage provides assistance to students in cases where medical evacuation services are deemed necessary.
International Health Insurance Resources:
You can access your account online through the United Healthcare website or by downloading the mobile app.
United Healthcare Plan Document 2024-2025
Students must determine if their host institution will automatically send a final transcript or if they will be required to request their final transcript to be sent to the Office of International Education. Transcripts will be compared to the Academic Advising Agreement on file and forwarded to the registrar's office to be applied to the student's degree program.
Please be aware that this process can take anywhere from 1-3 months to complete. If a student plans to receive financial aid for the semester following their study away program, the disbursement of these funds may be delayed pending receipt of grades from the host institution.
To avoid delays, the OIE may request that you contact your host institution and request they submit a letter to this office (studyaway@buffalostate.edu) stating what courses you are taking and that you are expected to pass those courses. We will be able to use that, until we get your actual transcripts.
Graduating Seniors: Please note that the posting of your degree may be delayed until the Office of International Education receives a final transcript from your host institution.
Non-Buffalo State Students: Please ensure that you do not have any account holds due to unpaid charges. Account holds will prevent the Office of International Education from releasing your transcript to your home university.
"I've ALWAYS wanted to travel and learn about other cultures. This was the very first time in my life I've had the opportunity and the financial means to do so. However, it never occurred to me until this trip that I might be able to COLLABORATE with other people from other countries and other cultures. This is tremendously exciting to me."
Schedule an Appointment with Us!
The Office of International Education is currently offering both in-person and virtual appointments. Our office hours are Tuesday, Thursday & Friday, 12-3pm. If you need to meet outside of this time frame then please let us know what date and time you are thinking from M-F 8am-4pm.
Please think about how this opportunity will fit into your academic career, where you want to go, when you would like to go. I would recommend checking out your options prior to our meeting with these topics in mind.
Please email studyaway@buffalostate.edu to set it up.