The Faculty Advisor plays an enormously important role in the study abroad process. Students are advised to be in touch with their academic department during all steps of the process: the program selection phase, the pre-departure paperwork phase, the actual time abroad, and the return to campus.

Program Selection
Students begin their journey by attending a general advising session in the Study Abroad Office. During general advising, the study abroad director reviews the program options and discusses the best way to research programs. Students are then advised to spend a few weeks looking for program options and considering which programs best fit their academic and personal goals.

At this point, it is recommended that students speak with their faculty advisor to determine the best semester for study abroad and to discuss which requirements they can feasibly complete overseas. However, the faculty advisor is not responsible for finding a program for the student, but rather the faculty advisor should help guide the students' academic decision making. All program selection questions can be referred to the Study Abroad Director.

Pre-Departure Paperwork
The student and the faculty advisor complete the "Intent to Enroll" form and submits this to the Study Abroad office. Once a student has applied to and been accepted into a study abroad program, he or she must meet with the Study Abroad Director for the internal approval process. Then, the student meets with his or her academic advisor to select courses. At this point in the process, it is also useful for advisors to conduct an advising audit with the student, so that both student and advisor have an up-to-date audit to reference during the students' study abroad experience.

Students are advised to list more courses on their SVC paperwork than they will feasibly take while abroad, so as to have some back-up choices if their first-choice courses are full. The faculty advisor, Chairperson, and Dean of Studies determines the number of credits that can transfer.

While Overseas
If a student arrives in his or her host country to find that his or her course options are not available or they wish to change their schedule, it is imperative that any new courses are discussed with the faculty advisor. Students are advised to email their faculty advisor with any new courses. Advisors should confirm the applicability of the new credits and forward this information to the Registrar’s Office.

While overseas, students register for SVC courses for the semester when they return to campus. Occasionally, students will have blocks on their registration, so they are advised to contact their faculty advisor if a block needs to be lifted.

After Returning to Campus
At the end of the semester, students are responsible for having their study abroad transcripts sent to the Registrar’s Office for evaluation. Once a transcript is received, it is compared to the SVC Course Pre- Approval, evaluated and sent to the Registrar for posting to the students’ official record.

If you have any questions, please contact Bessy Bennellick Elizabeth.bennellick@email.stvincent.edu.