This session is the first GEO requirement in the Swarthmore Approval for Study Abroad process. You will learn essential information to consider while planning, as well as next steps to choose and apply for programs. Here are the dates and times of upcoming sessions.

Explore 100+ Swarthmore-approved Study Abroad Programs, and learn more about factors to consider in you program search on the Explore Programs page. 

Programs often offer virtual information sessions on their websites. Program representatives also might visit Swarthmore to host in-person information sessions. Attend these sessions to learn directly from programs about academics, housing, activities, student experiences, etc.

The Global Engagement Office will add the Pre-Advising Questionnaire to your GEO portal within 1-3 business days after you have attended a Study Abroad 101 Session. You will not have access to this questionnaire before you have attended a session.

Let us know more about your goals and interests in study abroad, and other important information to consider during your advising meeting. You' ll need to submit the questionnaire before GEO contacts you to schedule an advising meeting.

Within 5-7 business days after you have submitted the Pre-Advising Questionnaire, a staff member in the Global Engagement Office will email you a calendar link to schedule an advising appointment. This meeting can take place in-person in the Global Engagement Office or virtually. The Global Engagement Office is located in Cunningham House (under the dome in front of Scott Arboretum that faces College Ave).

You' ll meet one-on-one with a GEO advisor who specializes in your program(s) or region(s) of interest. You and your advisor will discuss program options and prepare to apply. During the meeting, your advisor will give you access to your application for Swarthmore Study Abroad.

You' ll be able to rank up to 3 study abroad programs in your Swarthmore application (for all non-priority deadline programs). Swarthmore approval can only be considered for programs listed in your Swarthmore Approval for Study Abroad application prior to the deadline.

The Swarthmore Approval for Study Abroad application will be added to your GEO portal during the meeting with your GEO advisor (you will not have access to the application prior to the meeting). Make sure to complete both questionnaires in this internal application (the GEO Application and Good Standing Confirmation). Details about the internal application can be found on our How to Apply page.

Swarthmore' s internal deadline for most Fall or Full Year programs is January 15*. The deadline for most Spring programs is June 1*.

*Oxford, Cambridge, and London School of Economics have an earlier deadline of December 1 (for the following fall, spring, or full year).

Within 3-4 weeks after Swarthmore' s internal application deadline, you will receive a letter from Swarthmore that states which program(s) you' re approved to apply for. You will be notified via email once the letter is available. You can view the letter in the "Documents" tab of your GEO portal.

Swarthmore approval is not an offer of admission; the final admissions decisions will be released by programs after you have submitted external applications.

Once you have received the decision letter from Swarthmore, you' ll need to apply externally for the program(s) that Swarthmore has approved. Check each program' s external application requirements and deadlines as early as possible to make sure you can apply on time. Details about the external application process can be found on our How to Apply page.

When you're prepared to commit to one program, please notify Global Engagement with your decision before you  accept the offer. GEO will then update your study abroad portal to reflect your status as "Committed" to your specific study abroad program. This update will trigger next required steps in the Swarthmore Study Abroad process on your GEO portal.

It is your responsibility to notify the program that you accept their offer and to follow their admissions instructions (within the time frame they give you).

You might be accepted by multiple programs and need to decide between options.  Sometimes, you might need to respond to one offer before you receive a decision from other program(s) to which you applied.

If you receive offers of admission to multiple programs, you must decline offers from any programs you do not plan on attending. You may not commit to more than one program.

It is your responsibility to follow instructions provided by your program to apply for visas and housing. You should attend the program' s pre-departure orientation (if offered).

GEO will contact you with instructions to register for a required Post-Application Meeting. The meeting will cover pre-departure requirements and expectations.

Once you' ve notified GEO of your decision to commit to a program, a checklist of online pre-departure requirements will show up in your GEO portal. You will need to complete these requirements before Swarthmore can make payments to your study abroad program, book your flights, or deposit your study abroad stipend to your account.

Please complete the checklist of "Requirements within Your GEO Portal" as soon as you can so that Swarthmore can make early payments on your behalf if necessary. Early completion of this checklist will also give you more time for predeparture preparations. Make note of the deadline to complete each requirement (listed on your GEO portal).

Complete steps to submit required medical forms, secure your airfare through Swarthmore' s travel agency, etc. Wait for instructions from GEO before you begin these arrangements (e.g., do NOT book a flight on your own). Check your email regularly for updates from GEO and your program about time-sensitive tasks.

All courses you plan to take abroad must be submitted to the online Abroad Credit Evaluation System (ACES) to be considered for Swarthmore credit. After you' ve committed to a program and notified GEO, follow Steps to Request Credit (under "Pre-estimation of Credit - Pre-departure").

If your course schedule has changed since you added courses to ACES, follow Steps to Request Credit (under "Pre-estimation of Credit - While Abroad") so that your new courses can be considered for credit.

Save all coursework you complete abroad (except work for Auto Credit courses). You will submit this work to Swarthmore departments/programs for Final Credit Evaluation after you return. Refer to our Steps to Request Credit (Step 5 under "Pre-estimation of Credit - While Abroad") for details about what materials to save.

While abroad, you still have access to your Swarthmore email. Check this email regularly so that you can provide requested information and take any actions needed by various offices and departments/programs at Swarthmore. While abroad, you still need to complete all Swarthmore requirements you' re notified about, such as the following:

• Online course pre-registration for the following semester
• Online application for Swarthmore housing during the following term
• Any academic requirements that departments/programs share with you

If any questions or concerns arise during your program, don' t hesitate to reach out for assistance. You can contact an on-site staff member in your program and/or Global Engagement about any issues related to academics, housing, flights, living abroad, etc. It' s worth checking whether issues during your program can be addressed while there' s still time to improve your study abroad experience.

Students are required to complete all post-program questionnaires in the GEO portal, including evaluations of your program and courses. GEO will notify you once these questionnaires are available. You will need to complete all GEO portal requirements before any of your credits can be processed.

Follow post-program instructions on GEO's How to Request Credit page. You will need to complete steps in the Abroad Credit Evaluation System (ACES) for all courses taken abroad.

It's your responsibility to ensure that Swarthmore receives your official program transcript. The Registrar cannot add your courses to your Swarthmore transcript without the official transcript from your study abroad program. Some programs automatically send transcripts to the Registrar's Office, while others require the student to request a transcript. Please check this spreadsheet or contact your program to determine whether you need to request a transcript.

Contact GEO any time you wish to meet with us. We appreciate receiving student feedback and can answer questions.

Participate in the Study Abroad Photo Contest, attend our Welcome Back Lunch, or consider an opportunity as an intern with the Global Engagement Office.