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Global Engagement

International Students

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It is possible for degree-seeking international students to have a global experience during their time at Santa Clara University. However, International Student and Scholars (ISS) strongly recommend against studying abroad during your last quarter before graduating. To go overseas, you will need to work with both a program coordinator and ISS Advisor. Once you have chosen a program, it is essential to meet with your ISS Advisor regarding how participating in a global program could affect your:

  • F-1 or J-1 status
  • Re-entry into the United States
  • Obtaining the proper documents and signatures

Please be sure to inform an ISS advisor of the length of time you will be abroad.

Steps to a Global Experience:

  1. Research Programs
    • Start thinking about where you want to go and what you would like to study.
    • You can explore program options in the program brochure.
  2. Investigate Visas
    • As part of the planning process for your global experience, you should make sure you understand all entry requirements to your intended destination. This goes the same for countries outside of the program that you wish to visit.
    • Depending on your country of citizenship, you may be required to obtain a visa for the host country. In some cases, international students may be required to return to their home country to apply for a visa.
    • Research what documents you will need to enter foreign countries as well as what you will need to re-enter the United States.
    • Unfortunately, the program coordinators have limited resources to help and cannot advise on non-U.S. visas, so the majority of the research will have to be on your own.
    • We recommend contacting the nearest embassy or consulate and only looking at direct government websites (.gov). SCU discourages using visa websites or companies that request payment as these can sometimes be scams, but if you insist on using one make sure to research it thoroughly. 
  3. Communicate with ISS
    • Communicate with your International Student Advisor as soon as you have picked a program.  They can help you discuss how participating in a global program will affect your F-1/J-1 visa status and the proper documents and signatures necessary to re-enter the U.S. 
  4. Apply to a Program
    • Having a global experience is possible, but there is some extra paperwork involved to get you abroad and ensure you can return to the U.S. easily.
    • To help guarantee that everything goes smoothly make sure that all of your documents are up-to-date.

Tips for a Successful Global Program Experience:

  • For re-entry to the United States after your global experience has ended, make sure that you have a valid passport that will expire no earlier than 6 months into the future, a valid U.S. visa, and your most recent I-20/DS-2019 with a valid travel signature. 
  • Keep your visa current and plan ahead. You will need a valid U.S. visa to come back to the U.S., so make sure that you have all the necessary updates before departure. If your F-1 or J-1 visa is going to expire while you are abroad, make arrangements to apply for another F-1 or J-1 student visa.
  • Start applications early. You want to make sure you leave plenty of time for your all visas to process. The sooner you apply, the better.
  • Make plans for all countries you will travel to and through. If you want to travel outside of your program, research ahead of time what visas (tourist, transit, etc.) you may need. 
  • After being nominated, Keep in communication with your SCU ISS Advisor at iss@scu.edu. Do not be afraid to ask questions.

For Study Abroad: After Nomination

As an F-1 international student who has been nominated to study abroad, the International Students Office will need to issue you an updated I-20 with a study abroad notation before you leave the U.S. to participate in your program.

So that they can prepare your Study Abroad I-20, you will need to wait for an email and reply to attach copies of your:

  • Nomination from SCU Study Abroad 
  • Acceptance letter from your study abroad program

Copies of emailed nomination and acceptance letters are sufficient, but you should save and attach both documents in response to the email sent to you by iss@scu.edu. ISS is aware that acceptances can take several weeks.