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.
