How to Apply for Study Abroad

Starting Your Overseas Journey

Whether you choose one of SUNY Oneonta’s programs or you find an option among SUNY’s 1,000+ programs, you’re sure to find a destination that meets your goals and objectives for studying or interning abroad.

Check out our study abroad checklist below for detailed steps students should take when considering and applying to a study abroad program.

Contact

Office Hours
Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m.

Tel: 607-436-3369
Fax: 607-436-2760
Email: globaled@oneonta.edu

Schedule an advising meeting with a Study Abroad Professional or Peer Advisor to learn more.

  • Apply for a Passport (required for travel)
    • Must apply for or renew if near expiration (should be valid within 6 months of return from program) before you can be accepted to a study abroad program! Application and instructions available at your local Post Office, or https://travel.state.gov/.
  • Establish Goals for your Study Abroad Experience
    • 1–3-week faculty-led course, summer, winter, semester, or year-long program? English-taught courses, foreign language study, internship experience, cultural experiences? A specific country/region/city or, a specific area of study? Home stay with local family or student dorms/apartments?
  • Check out the Programs (Over 1,000 available in over 60 countries through the SUNY system):
    • Oneonta Study Abroad Programs: Semester, Academic Year, & Summer Programs
      • 12 programs (Europe, Asia, Africa, & Middle East)
      • Faculty-Led programs (1-3 week courses abroad)Programs vary each year - Spring, Summer & Winter
    • SUNY Study & Internship Abroad Programs:
      • Search by term, country, & field of study
      • Connect to individual SUNY study abroad websites through the “Get Started” link at the bottom of every entry.
      • Each SUNY study abroad website contains all program info (costs, courses, housing, locations, contact info)
  • Schedule an Appointment with the Office of Global Education (OGE) - 128 Hunt Union
    • Discuss your study abroad goals, program interests, processes and procedures, costs, and course options.
    • Make an appointment with a Professional or Peer Study Abroad Advisor.
  • Review your Finances/Meet with a Financial Aid Counselor (123 Netzer Admin)
    • Save program cost sheets from individual program websites & work out a budget (how much can you spend?). If eligible for financial aid, schedule a meeting with your SUNY Oneonta Financial Aid Counselor. Or, meet with your personal financial advisor or self-fund your education abroad. Share cost sheet of program in the meeting.
  • Meet with Academic Advisement (107 Netzer Admin) – Academic.Advisement@oneonta.edu
    • After reviewing the program courses, write down the courses in which you’re interested & meet with Academic Advisement to discuss your course plan and whether the courses fit within your degree requirements!
    • If looking to fulfill specific major courses, you should also meet with your Department Chair to discuss if a program is possible for you. Course information is typically available on program websites – bring course info to the meetings.
  • Complete and Submit the Overseas Academic Programs Application(s)
    • Applications are available on the program websites on each SUNY school’s study abroad website.

After Acceptance to a Study Abroad Program:

  • Visit the Online OGE Global Portal for Post-Acceptance Forms (including Course Approval Form)
    • To complete forms, select “Commit” if accepted to an Oneonta program in the OGE Global Portal OR go to “Programs” & select “Other SUNY Programs” if accepted to a program through another SUNY school. For questions about the online OGE Global Portal, contact the OGE at globaled@oneonta.edu.
  • Meet with Academic Advisement with Completed Course Approval Form for Signature
    • If you’d like a course to count as a specific major course, ALSO obtain your Department Chair’s signature. *Bring a list of the courses & descriptions with you to the meetings (and syllabi if available for major courses).
    • Oneonta students must submit Course Approval Form to Office of Global Education after it is signed & completed.

Here are the basics for getting started on your journey:

  1. Think about your goals and reasons you want to study/intern abroad. Do you want your overseas experience to be didactic, cultural, community service focused, or a combination? Evaluate what part of the world you’re interested in, which cultures you find intriguing and what country would best serve you and likewise.
  2. Once you have narrowed down your purpose and passion for studying/interning abroad, review the programs available to you on the OGE Study Abroad Website and the SUNY-wide Study Abroad Website. Pay careful attention to the eligibility criteria, cost and details associated with each program.
  3. Make an appointment with a Study Abroad Advisor (First-year students: consult with an OGE Study Abroad Student Assistant/Peer Advisor). Students are strongly encouraged to attend a study abroad info session, held throughout the semester at SUNY Oneonta, or the annual Study Abroad Fair held each September.
  4. Complete application for study abroad program (see the study abroad webpage(s) of the SUNY school(s) that administer(s) the program(s) you are interested in for detailed, program-specific application instructions & cost sheets). You are welcome to apply for a back-up program if your first choice program has a limited number of spots. Speak to the administering SUNY campus if you have questions about this.
  5. If you are applying to a SUNY Oneonta program, you must apply online through the OGE Global Portal to complete the SUNY Oneonta Overseas Application and submit the required information detailed below (Program Info pages for each program can be found on our Study Abroad Page). It is typically not necessary to apply to two Oneonta programs.
  • SUNY Oneonta Overseas Application Information
  • Study Statement (essay detailing your motivations for choosing the program & studying abroad)
  • 2 academic reference letters (must be from university faculty or academic advisors)
  • Official transcripts from universities you've attended
  • Apply for, renew, or upload a color copy of your passport photo and signature pages (new or renewed passport applications are taking 3-4 MONTHS to be processed by U.S. Dept. of State!)
  • Judicial Review/Conduct Form
    • Oneonta Students: bring/send to 119 Netzer Administration Building - Community Standards Office (while remote, email the form to CommunityStandards@oneonta.edu).
    • Non-Oneonta SUNY students: bring to your home campus Judicial Officer

6. Meet with your home campus Financial Aid Office with the program cost sheet. Early financial planning is essential when considering studying abroad, which is eligible for financial aid. Whether you are self-funded, in part or in whole, obtain a preliminary overview of what you will need to afford your overseas experience. You’ll notice each SUNY program has a detailed cost estimate sheet to help you make this determination.

7. Meet with Academic Advisement with a list of courses & descriptions from the program of your choosing to make sure the courses will fit within your graduation/degree requirements.

8. Notify your home campus Study Abroad Office that you are applying to study abroad if it's through a different SUNY campus AND when you have been accepted to a study abroad program!

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