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SMCCCD Study Abroad

Frequently Asked Questions

SMCCCD is committed to accessible Study Abroad opportunities for all students. Below are common questions to help you get started with need-to-know information for studying or interning abroad. While these questions do provide a wide range of introductory information, we encourage you to connect directly with our office with any questions, as we are here to support you and your individual goals. We look forward to hearing from you and getting to support you on your journey!

Many students are eligible for our programs, and you may be too! Eligibility requirements are as follows: 

  • Be 18 years of age or older

  • Be in good academic standing

  • Some programs may require completion of a minimum number of college units prior to program start. For example, the Global Internship Program requires completion of 30 units prior to program start; the NCSAC Semester Abroad Program requires completion of 12 units prior to program start.

  • If you have any questions at all, please check with your specific program or a study abroad advisor to confirm you meet eligibility requirements.

You can schedule your one-on-one Zoom meeting with a study abroad advisor by visiting smccd.edu/goabroad.

  • Programs will have different application deadlines. For exact deadlines, please visit the program page of the SMCCCD Study Abroad/Global Internship Program in which you are interested.
  • Please note that many programs have ‘priory application deadlines’ and ‘final application deadlines.’ It is highly recommended to apply before the priority deadline to ensure there is space in the program as well as to give yourself adequate time for planning, saving, and applying for scholarships. 
    • For Summer Study Abroad programs, final application deadlines are between February - April.
    • For Fall Semester Programs, final application deadlines are around May.
    • For Spring Semester Programs, final application deadlines are around October.
  • Yes! If you enroll in a for-credit SMCCCD study abroad program, you may apply for financial aid through your home college’s financial aid office (Cañada College, College of San Mateo or Skyline College).  

  • The first step to be considered for any financial aid is to complete a FAFSA (Free Application for Federal Student Aid). For assistance completing a FAFSA and applying for financial aid, please contact your home campus financial aid office. Below are the specific staff to contact regarding financial aid for study abroad.

  • As eligible, you will be considered for all aid programs - Pell Grant, SEOG, Cal Grant, California College Promise Grant, Direct Loan, Parent Loan for Undergraduate Students (PLUS) - except Federal Workstudy. Depending on the cost of your study abroad program, the financial aid you receive may or may not meet your full financial need. To make up the gap between your aid and the cost of your program, you may want to apply for additional scholarships.
  • Many students use a combination of financial aid, scholarships, savings, and fundraising to pay for their study abroad program. Please see information in the next FAQ for more about scholarships and how to get help with your scholarship applications.

Yes! There are a variety of scholarships for Study Abroad and Global Internship Programs. We recommend visiting our Scholarships for Study Abroad. If you plan to apply for any scholarships, we are here to help! We understand applying for scholarships can seem intimidating, but many SMCCCD students just like you have received scholarships to study abroad. We can offer advising and guidance in your scholarship application process! 

Many students say they have success raising money through personal or group fundraising efforts. Some successful fundraising efforts students have reported include:

  • Starting a crowdsourcing page like GoFundMe and sending to their family, friends, and community

  • Creating and selling crafts to family, friends, and community

  • Bake sales

Yes! Most classes offered with our programs fulfill general education requirements and are transferable to the CSU and UC systems. However, it is important that you meet with your academic counselor to plan so you can choose a program/class that fits into your Student Educational Plan.

SMCCCD offers a variety of study abroad programs each year to different countries. Please see our SMCCCD study abroad program page to see where our programs will go this year.

Housing: Depending on your program, you may have the option to stay either in a furnished apartment with other study abroad students or stay with a local host family. For some short-term programs, the accommodations may be in hotels.

Meals: For semester abroad programs and internship programs, meals are typically not included in the program cost, so it is important that you budget for your meals while abroad. If you stay in an apartment, you will have access to a fully-stocked kitchen. If you stay with a host family, often one to two meals per day may be included with access to the kitchen. For short-term programs, some or most meals may be included. Please check with your specific program to confirm if meals are included, or schedule an appointment with a study abroad advisor if you have any additional questions. 

Yes! SMCCCD has students of all ages (18+) who participate in study abroad programs.
Yes!

  • Our for-credit Study Abroad and Global Internships are open to out-of-district students and community members, as long as they meet the minimum eligibility requirements for the program. All Study Abroad participants will be required to enroll in whichever course is attached to the program prior to departure.

  • For non-credit travel abroad opportunities, we recommend our SMCCCD Community Travel Programs-- curated travel tours organized by SMCCCD Study Abroad. By participating in a Community Travel Program, $500 of your registration fee is tax-deductible and goes directly into our foundation’s scholarship fund to help our students live and learn in other countries.

SMCCCD encourages all students to explore opportunities that will enhance their educational careers. However, due to the current political climate, SMCCCD does not recommend that DACA-recipient or undocumented students travel abroad at this time. SMCCCD Study Abroad does offer domestic internship opportunities and is looking to offer virtual study abroad and internship opportunities. We are here to support DACA students in finding what options will work for your academic goals. We encourage you to connect with our Study Abroad office and your home campus Dream Center for more information and support.

 

SMCCCD Study Abroad is committed to increasing access to international education opportunities for all students in order to promote intercultural awareness, understanding, and to prepare students to succeed in a global economy. SMCCCD can provide resources and guidance for students considering how their identities may play a role in their study abroad experience; visit our My Identity Abroad resource page for more information.  

Passport: All students are required to hold a passport when traveling out of the country. Students may apply in person at the Skyline College Passport Office or at one of the passport agencies of the U.S. Department of State (www.travel.state.gov). It is important that students apply early for new or renewed passports, as application processing can take 6 to 10 weeks. Visit the Skyline College Passport Office page for more guidance.

Visa: A visa is written permission to visit a country granted by the government of that country. Requirements vary from country to country. Information relating to visas will be included in your pre-departure advising process.

For most programs, there is no requirement to speak a foreign language, as most instruction and internships are in English. However, some knowledge of the host language can enhance your experience, allowing you to more easily navigate your new surroundings and interact with the local community. 

No matter where you are in the world, your mental health is always a top priority. To support your individual needs, SMCCCD encourages you to reach out to your campus's Personal Counseling Center for planning and mental health support:

If you already work with a Mental Health Provider, it is recommended you speak with them to create a plan for how you will continue to receive support while abroad.

Yes! International students are welcome to participate in study abroad programs. It is important to consult with your International Student Office before finalizing any Study Abroad plans to learn about any potential implications of study abroad on immigration status.

 

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