Yes! All students at UTSA who participate in a Study Abroad experience (undergraduate, graduate, and doctoral) are required to attend a virtual Pre-Departure Orientation session during the semester prior to your term abroad. There are no exceptions. You must attend the session in its entirety to meet this requirement. Each semester, our office hosts at least four different sessions to give you the opportunity to attend whichever session works best for you. Please see the Pre-Departure Orientation page for upcoming session dates, times, and Zoom links. This page is updated each semester once orientation dates are confirmed.

Students may study abroad in their last semester at UTSA if approved by their academic advisor. Some study abroad programs may require that students will continue at their home university upon completion of the program, so students in their last semester may not be eligible for all programs. Graduation from UTSA may be delayed by one semester as host institution transcripts typically take up to 12 weeks or more for UTSA to receive and process. Please email studyabroad@utsa.edu with any questions.

A $75 application fee is assessed for all students applying to participate in study abroad and exchange programs. There is also an Education Abroad Program Fee for credit-bearing programs of $150. These fees are non-refundable.

After we have reviewed and accepted your application, you will be charged the fees listed above. These charges will be billed to your ASAP account.

One of the most important goals for your study abroad experience is to make certain that while you are abroad, you are still making normal progress towards graduation. Before applying to study abroad, make sure to meet with your academic advisor to ensure this opportunity fits well with your degree plan.

Receiving credit for your opportunity abroad involves completing and submitting the Credit Transfer Verification Form (You do not have to complete a Credit Verification form for UTSA-led programs).

As of February 16, 2024*, we will begin using Docusign to complete the Credit Verification Form:

• To begin the Credit Verification Form process, please send an email to studyabroad@utsa.edu with the subject "Credit Verification Form".
• Once we receive this message, our office will send you the form via Docusign and you will complete the first section.
• Docusign will then send the form onto the Study Abroad Office to complete sections 2-4. The form will then be sent to your advisor.
• You should plan to meet with your advisor to work with them on sections 5-6. Once the form is complete, both you and your advisor will sign the form in Docusign and you, your advisor, and the Study Abroad Office will all receive a copy.
• If you have already began the Credit Verification Form process with the original PDF form, you may continue the previous process and do not need to request a Docusign form.

Visa requirements vary depending on your country of citizenship, study abroad destination, duration of your program and your host country’s immigration policies. Please visit https://cibtvisas.com/ to learn if you may need a visa.

If you are planning to travel internationally, you may have questions as to whether you can travel with or locally obtain your prescription and over-the-counter (OTC) medication(s). Each country has its own regulations governing what constitutes a controlled medication, and some require specific paperwork in order to bring controlled, prescription medication into the country.

While most people don’t have their medications checked when going through customs, it certainly is a possibility. If you are stopped and questioned, the best plan is to have your medicines in their original containers and ensure that you have signed, dated documentation (on letterhead) from your doctor, containing the details outlined below:

1. Your name, date of birth, passport number and the length of time you will spend in each country
2. The (generic) name and dosage of each medication
3. The amount of medication you are carrying
4. The duration of use for the medication
5. The medical condition that the medication is intended to treat

We recommend that you photocopy all documentation and give a copy to a traveling companion or keep a copy separate from your medication, in case it becomes necessary to replace any prescriptions while you’re abroad.

If you have questions about whether your prescription medication is legal and accessible in your destination country or countries, you can you contact On Call International (overseas insurance and emergency assistance provider for all UT Austin travelers) to seek additional guidance. To do so:

1. Log in to the On Call Plan Information Portal with the UT Group ID 100143CPPD21.
2. Select “Pre-Trip Itinerary Review.” This will lead you to a form where you can indicate your destination and your specific questions/concerns, and they will schedule time to meet with you.

For non-prescription (OTC) medications, you should bring an amount that is consistent with the length of your trip and keep it in its original container. Traveling with excessively large amounts would give the appearance that you may sell the supply, and unlabeled medication could present as an illicit substance. Either scenario could create a significant problem for you when passing through customs and border control.

We do recommend traveling with your preferred OTC medications (in your carry-on luggage) to treat the most common ailments our travelers experience:

• Stomach/gastrointestinal distress
• Pain (e.g., headaches, muscle strain)
• Cold and flu symptoms
• Seasonal allergies (if applicable)

For ALL medication, be sure that you adhere to TSA guidelines for traveling with medication.