• Get Accepted to the Program
  Receive confirmation letter or email from program provider, and make a copy for the SAO.
  
  
• Attend Mandatory Pre-Departure Meeting
  This is the most important step of the study abroad process. The Pre-Departure Meeting includes an outline of the Study Abroad Contract and important health, safety, and security considerations.
  
  After acceptance to a program, schedule a Pre-Departure Meeting by calling or visiting the SAO; Engineering students should contact the Engineering Coodinator to schedule a contract meeting. To receive a Study Abroad Contract at your prescheduled meeting, you must bring a non-returnable copy of your acceptance letter with you.
  
  The Study Abroad Contract is the legally binding document that will guide and inform University of Pittsburgh students of certain required policies and procedures regarding study abroad. You will not be permitted to Study Abroad until this document is completed and submitted to the SAO. The Study Abroad Contract:
  
  • Outlines behavioral, academic, financial and medical responsibilities for Pitt students studying abroad
  • Approves the proposed study abroad program and individual courses (i.e. if the classes count as major requirements, minor, certificate, or elective
  • Officially registers the student for study abroad credit
  • Generates the $350 Administrative Fee (billed to student via PittPay once a student has obtained the
    Registration signature on the contract)
  • Alerts the Financial Aid Office of the student's study abroad plans and determines what amount of scholarships and other forms of financial aid can be applied to the study abroad experience.
    

The health, safety, and security portion of the Pre-Departure Meeting outlines the risks of international travel and ways to successfully mitigate those risks.

• Review and Complete All Pre-Departure Materials
  In addition to attending the Pre-Departure Meeting, students are expected to review the Pre-Departure Guide as well as the information provided on the Health and Safety page of the SAO website. As it is crucial that students understand all pre-departure materials, SAO staff will answer any questions relating to them. Students may also need to do the following:
  
  • Complete program-specific pre-departure material
  • Apply for a visa (if applicable): For information related to visa applications, visit Visa Help
  • Obtain recommended inoculations: As with visas, not all students will require inoculations. Please visit the Inoculation Help for additional information.
    
    
• Complete Study Abroad Contract
  Students are expected to complete all parts of the Contract in the order in which they appear. This includes:
  
  • Student information
  • Required signatures - students will need to make a variety of appointments with their academic advisors, the Registrar's Office, and the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid in order to complete the signatures.
  • Photocopy of passport photo page - must be a *clear* copy. Faxed copies will not be accepted.
  • Proof of medical coverage while overseas - this must include proof of comprehensive medical insurance, emergency evacuation, and emergency repatriation. Photocopies of health cards without substantiation via a letter or outline of the policy will not be accepted. If students do not have adequate coverage, they will need to purchase it.
  • Photocopies of any special permission forms (if necessary)
    
    
• Submit Study Abroad Contract
  Study Abroad Contracts must be submitted to the SAO by the published deadline for the term in which a student is planning to study abroad. The SAO will not accept incomplete or late contracts. Students are expected to make a photocopy for their personal records prior to submitting their executed Study Abroad Contracts to the SAO. The SAO will not make photocopies for students.
  

Next: Abroad Stage