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Kansas State University

Steps to Study Abroad

1. Choosing a Program

1. Research program options
Visit the Study Abroad Office in 304 Fairchild Hall, Monday – Friday, 8am – 6pm to learn about all of the study abroad options for K-State students.

  • Peer Advisors are available to answer basic questions and help you begin your search.
  • Complete a Study Abroad Interest form at https://ksu.studioabroad.com.
    • Click on “Getting Started”
    • Under #2 click on “Create an Advising Application here”
    • Log-in through the K-State server
    • Complete the application questionnaire “KSU Study Abroad Interest Form”
  • Consider becoming a friend of “Wildcats Abroad” on Facebook.  Use Facebook to ask questions, watch for upcoming events, and meet other K-State students who have been abroad or are thinking about going abroad.
  • Follow KSUStudyAbroad on Twitter to receive updates, tips and fun facts about study abroad!
  • Browse our paper resource library, research programs online, read blogs and reviews from past study abroad students, or set up an appointment to meet with an advisor.

2. Schedule an appointment with your Study Abroad Advisor
Call (785) 532-5990 to make an appointment with an advisor based on your field of study:

3. Select a program After research and consideration, you should be ready to select your program.  This includes choosing the location, specific university, and term

4. Attend an information session
Information sessions will be scheduled to cover credit transfer, scholarships, financial aid, and health & safety. 

5. Get your passport NOW!
A passport is your official identification while abroad. It takes approximately 4-6 weeks for processing from the date  you submit your application, and you can’t apply for a visa (permission to enter a country) until you have it. You can apply for a passport at the K-State Student Union ID Center or any US post office.

  • Visit http://travel.state.gov/ for an application and more information.
  • Passport sized photos can be purchased at the K-State Student Union ID Center, Walgreens, Kinkos, or many professional photography stores.

6. Research the courses available for your specific program
There will be a variety of courses for you to choose from, and the type of courses available will be different for every program.  Before you meet with your academic advisor, be sure to do the following:

  • Find out what courses you need to complete your degree plan by printing off a copy of your Degree Audit Reporting System (DARS) report on iSIS.
  • Research what courses will be offered and available for international student enrollment through your study abroad program.  You can find links to this information on the study abroad website, or your Study Abroad Advisor can assist you with this.
  • Select courses and print out the course descriptions and/or syllabi to share with your academic advisor (we suggest choosing 8-10 courses to be pre-approved for each semester and 3-4 courses for each summer to ensure that you have alternates should one of your first choice courses be full or not offered during your term of study abroad).

7. Contact your Academic Advisor
Your Academic Advisor is the person who determines how the courses you take abroad will count toward your degree program at K-State.

  • Set a meeting with your academic advisor and bring the course descriptions to the meeting. Ask your Academic Advisor to sign the Academic Approval Form (a material submission for your online application).
    • If you are in the College of Agriculture, Engineering, or Business Administration, you will need to have the Head of the Department sign the course approval form as well.
    • If you are an Architecture student, you will apply through your college first.
  • Ask your Academic Advisor how studying abroad helps you meet UGE or K-State 8 requirements.
  • Plan what courses you will need to take at K-State the semester after you return from study abroad.  If you will be abroad for a semester or longer, make sure you understand what needs to be done to be able to enroll for those courses while you are abroad.
2. Applying

1. Apply to K-State and to your specific program on-line
You must complete both the KSU Study Abroad Office Application and the application to your chosen university or program.

IMPORTANT: When you complete the study abroad application, you are committing to paying a $150 Administrative fee, even if you later withdraw from the program.

  • Complete the KSU Study Abroad Office online application
  • Go to https://ksu.studioabroad.com/
  • Click on “ KSU CAS Login” in the top right corner of the page
  • Log-in through the K-State server, using the same username and password as you use for K-State Online
  • Click on “PROGRAMS” in the top right corner of the page
  • Choose your city or country of study and then click on “Search”
  • Find your specific University or program of study, and click on the Program Name
  • Confirm that you are on the correct page for your specific program, then click “Apply Now”
  • Choose the term you would like to study abroad
  • Your application will start in the “Pending” stage
  • Read all instructions and complete the Material Submissions, Signature Documents and Application Questionnaires listed
  • All participants must complete an online application and submit supporting documents to the Study Abroad Office by the deadline as indicated at http://www.k-state.edu/studyabroad/dates/index.html
  • If you are participating in a K-State Exchange or Direct Enrollment program, please submit the application for that specific university or program to the Study Abroad Office and we will mail it for you
  • If you are studying abroad through a program provider, submit the application directly to that provider

2. Explore ways to finance your program
There are different scholarships and types of financial support for study abroad available to K-State students:

  • Office of International Programs scholarship, KSU private donor scholarships, and national scholarships
  • Scholarships offered by academic colleges and departments, clubs and organizations you and your family belong to, your church, or other places may offer financial assistance to students studying abroad.
  • Federal Financial Aid (NOTE: This is only available for KSU approved programs listed at https://ksu.studioabroad.com).  To receive Federal Financial Aid for your study abroad program:
    • Complete the FAFSA.  If your study abroad program is during the summer, you also need to complete the Summer Financial Aid Application. (See http://www.k-state.edu/studyabroad/funding/index.htm).
    • Once your online study abroad application is in the “committed” stage, your Study Abroad Advisor will provide you with a cost summary sheet for your study abroad program, which you both must sign.  Once the cost sheet is signed, your Study Abroad Advisor will send it to the Office of Student Financial Assistance.
    • You can then set up a meeting with Dyan Marie in the Office of Student Financial Assistance.  She can also assist you with any additional questions you may have in regards to loans, scholarships, and grants.
    • If there is a change in the amount of Financial Assistance you are awarded, it will be posted on your K-State student ISIS account.
    • Make all necessary arrangements for disbursement of your financial assistance.  To make receiving your financial aid easier while you are studying abroad, we highly recommend that you register for your eRefund on iSIS and/or your parent applies for the Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) with the Cashier's Office. This is the most convenient way of receiving your financial aid credit balance refund.

3. Acceptance to a K-State study abroad program
When you have completed the documentation listed in the “Pending” stage (mentioned above), a Study Abroad Advisor will review your online application and material submissions.  If everything is complete and you meet the requirements, the Advisor will move you to the “Accepted” stage, which will automatically prompt the system to email you an acceptance letter.  Please read this letter carefully.

  • Once you have been accepted through the online system, you will be able to view additional Questionnaires, Signature Documents, and Material Submissions that you must complete.
  • To officially reserve a place on a program, you must also click on the “commit” button to move your application to the “committed” stage.  NOTE: Once your application is moved to the “committed” stage, the $150 Administrative fee is non-refundable, even if you later withdraw from the program.
  • If you are participating in an exchange program through K-State, the host university will mail your acceptance package directly to the Study Abroad Office in 304 Fairchild Hall.  Your study abroad advisor will then send you an email letting you know that your acceptance letter and materials have arrived and are ready for you to pick up.
  • If you are participating in a direct enroll or program provider program, your acceptance letter and materials will be mailed to the Study Abroad Office or directly to you.  If it is mailed to you, please provide your Study Abroad Advisor with a copy of this letter as proof of your acceptance.  This can be done via email.
3. Post-Acceptance

1. Attend a Country-Specific Orientation
All study abroad program participants are required to attend a two hour Country-Specific Orientation.  For the date of your Country-Specific Orientation, please see http://www.k-state.edu/studyabroad/dates/index.html.

  • At this meeting you will receive information regarding international health insurance, the student visa process, emergency procedures, safety issues, bringing money abroad, study abroad placeholder class enrollment, and more.
  • In addition, you will have time to speak with students who have previously studied in your country or region of study, international students from that country, and other students planning to go there.

2. Apply for a student visa
Most study abroad programs require a country or region-specific student visa.  A visa is a sticker or stamp put in your passport by a foreign government, which is documentation that you have received permission to enter a country.

  • You will need your passport, acceptance letter, and additional documents (as determined by the consulate/embassy for your country of study) to apply for the visa. The website of the consulate/embassy of the host country can give you exact requirements: http://www.k-state.edu/studyabroad/visa/consulates.html.
  • You must apply for a visa through the consulate in your jurisdiction (determined by your state or country of residency).  While many consulates/embassies accept documents by mail, some countries may require that you apply for a visa in person, which may mean you will have to travel to a city like Chicago or Houston in order to obtain your visa.
  • This process can take several weeks or sometimes months - so apply early!

3. Think about your travel plans
Your travel plans include your round-trip airline ticket, as well as how you will get to your university/program once you have arrived at an airport abroad.

  • Explore a variety of websites to find the most cost-effective round-trip airfare for your study abroad experience.
    • Make sure you know the official starting dates (including orientation dates) and ending dates (including the exam period) of your program before you purchase any airline tickets.
    • The best option is buying a ticket that can be changed for a reasonable fee.
    • Many countries will not allow you to enter unless you have a return ticket booked.
    • Some programs offer special group rates on flights for their students.
    • The Study Abroad Office recommends that you do not book an airline ticket until you have received official acceptance from your university/program of study and a student visa, if required.
  • Read travel guide books and do research online.  Travel guide books are a great resource to get ideas of which places you may want to explore while you are in the country of your study. You can often find travel guide books in libraries, e-versions online, or you may choose to purchase one and take it with you.

4. Make an appointment with the K-State Lafene Travel Clinic
The K-State Lafene Travel Clinic offers free advice for student travelers and provides recommendations and general information about immunization and region specific health issues. Call (785) 532-6544 to make an appointment.

5. Enroll in the study abroad placeholder course for the term(s) you will be abroad
If you are participating in an experience abroad, for which you will receive transfer credit from another institution, you must enroll in the study abroad placeholder course, MLANG 001.

  • Those going abroad for a summer or semester need to enroll in MLANG001 as a full-time student (12 hrs for one semester or 6 hrs for summer). This facilitates credit transfer, enables you to be eligible for financial aid, and allows you to use your K-State e-mail and iSIS while abroad. Study Abroad Office Advisors will email you reminders and information on the steps to take for enrolling in the course.
  • Once you enroll, you will automatically be charged a $25 enrollment fee by the Cashier’s Office.

6. Get ready to go!

  • Research your host country by talking with people, looking online, and reading as much as you can find.
  • Visit the U.S. Department of State’s website for students traveling abroad (www.studentsabroad.state.gov) to find information on health risks, embassy contacts, what to do in an emergency, how to vote when abroad, and more. 
  • Read through the informational materials provided by the Study Abroad Office.

7. Withdrawing from your study abroad program
If, at any time throughout the process, you decide that you will not be able to study abroad during the term you originally intended, you must withdraw your online application by clicking on the “withdraw” button.  If your application is already in the “committed” stage, you will not have the option of withdrawing your application online, and will instead need to notify your Study Abroad Advisor and complete the Study Abroad Withdrawal Form. Once you are committed to a study abroad program, the administrative fee of $150 is non-refundable.

4. While Away

1. Read travel guide books
Read travel guide books and do research online.  Travel guide books are a great resource to get ideas of which places you may want to explore while you are in the country of your study.  These books also provide ideas and recommendations of things to do, how to get around, and places to eat.

2. Enrolling in K-State Courses
If you are studying abroad for the semester or year, you may need to speak with your academic advisor via e-mail and enroll in K-State classes from abroad for the next semester.

3. Preserve your memories!
Consider creating an online blog, a travel or photo journal, scrapbook, video, etc. to record your thoughts, pictures, memories, and souvenirs from your time abroad.  It could easily become one of your most cherished possessions!

4. Transcripts
Do not leave the host university before obtaining your transcript or ensuring that it will be sent directly to Karli Webster in the Study Abroad Office. The Study Abroad Office, K-State Registrar’s Office, and your academic department are responsible for facilitating the transfer of credit. Also, be sure to request copies of the transcript for your own records.  Host university transcripts should be mailed to: 

Attn: Karli Webster
Office of International Programs   
Kansas State University   
304 Fairchild Hall  
Manhattan, KS 66506
United States of America

5. Voting     
If there is an election (in the United States) while you are abroad, check out http://www.overseasvotefoundation.org for helpful information in registering and requesting an absentee ballot.

6. Facebook 
Share your experiences and pictures on the “Wildcats Abroad” fan page on Facebook.

7. Twitter
Share your experiences and pictures via Twitter at KSUStudyAbroad.

5. Returning

1. Prepare for reverse culture shock
Everyone reacts differently to coming home, but it is common for students to experience difficulty re-adjusting to American culture.  Often, the more acculturated you were to the country you were visiting, the more you experience reverse culture shock.  Similar to the culture shock of adjusting to culture outside of the United States, it takes time and patience to re-adjust.  Here are links to several good articles on reverse culture shock:

2. Attend the Study Abroad Office Re-Entry Seminar
This is an opportunity for returning students to share experiences, meet other students who have studied abroad, and overcome some of the struggles of reverse culture shock upon returning to the U.S. and K-State.

3. Attend a Returned Student Credit Transfer Information Session
This information session is designed specifically for students returning to K-State after their study abroad experience.  It is the perfect opportunity to find answers to questions about how to transfer academic credits from a host institution to K-State as smoothly as possible. This information session will help answer any questions you may have about how to receive credit for the classes taken abroad.

4. Get involved with international activities at K-State 
The following groups might be of interest to you on your return:

  • International Buddies    
    International Buddies is a program designed to assist incoming international students with their transition to K-State. It gives participants an opportunity to learn about other languages and cultures and is an easy way to meet international students and make lasting friendships.
    For more information visit: http://www.k-state.edu/oip/buddies or email: buddies@ksu.edu.
  • Study Abroad Mentors (SAM)
    Represent the country & city where you studied abroad and share your experiences with other students interested in study abroad.  SAM is advised by the Study Abroad Office and as a member you will be invited to different events as well as be put in contact with K-State students who would like to study abroad in the area which you studied.  For more information email: overseas@ksu.edu.
  • International Coordinating Council (ICC) 
    The International Coordinating Council is a student organization whose mission is to foster good relationships between international students and Americans by working with different international organizations at K-State and hosting various events, like the annual International Championships. 
    For more information visit:  http://www.k-state.edu/icc or email: intl@ksu.edu.
  • Study Abroad Advocates (SAA) 
    SAA exists to promote and educate students about the advantages of studying abroad and help with any questions or concerns they may have. It is run through the College of Business, but is open to all K-State students.  For more information visit: http://saa.cba.ksu.edu or email: bjanda@ksu.edu.
  • Mentors for International Experiences (MIE)
    MIE encourages American students in the K-State College of Engineering to participate in study abroad and assists them as they prepare for their international experience. In addition, MIE provides mentors for international, undergraduate students who are studying in the K-State College of Engineering. For more information visit: http://www.engg.ksu.edu/mie.

5. Learn how to record your experience on a resume!  
Visit with Career and Employment Services for help with including your study abroad experience on a resume and to increase your career marketability!

6. Thinking of going abroad again?
Speak with someone in the Study Abroad Office; there are always more opportunities for you!