Going Abroad As...

Study Abroad Travel Tips

SFSU Abroad is committed to inclusion and equity in supporting all degree-seeking students to study abroad. As you begin thinking about where you might study abroad, take a few minutes to consider your identity. 

We are a constellation of identities, some of which are visible and others we have the option of disclosing or not (e.g. friend, sister, Black, Jewish, queer, transfer student, Californian, American, etc.). How you identify yourself may vary based upon context. Your identity (both what you share and aspects that are apparent) will shape your study abroad experience and how you are perceived.  

Additionally, because no one knows you, you have the opportunity to reinvent yourself and potentially share new parts or discover new aspects of who you are.  

You will also have a certain amount of privilege. While you may not feel privilege now, being abroad and representing the United States, California, the Bay Area and San Francisco State University comes with privilege and opportunities you might not have otherwise. People may open their homes and share with you in ways that they might not if you were not studying abroad.  

Reach out to students from the university or country to you are interested in to learn more about the experience there.  

Traveling Abroad

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Helpful YouTube videos:

Podcast: 

Articles: 

Instagram Stories of Black Students Abroad:  

  • Travel Noire @travelnoire 
  • Black Passport Stamps @blackpassportstamps 
  • Black Travel Tube @blacktraveltube 

Reading List:  

LGBTQ+ students study abroad every semester from SFSU. Study abroad is an amazing opportunity that can come with additional preparation and awareness of potential challenges. We are delighted that you are taking these steps to study abroad. SFSU Study Abroad is committed to supporting all our students in pursuing study abroad to enrich their educational degrees with a commitment to nondiscrimination. Because the laws and attitudes abroad vary widely from countries that are open and supportive to some that consider consensual same-sex sexual relations a punishable crime, it is important that you follow the guidelines below to prepare. 

Applying to study abroad: 

  1. Attend an information meeting! 
  2. Renew or apply for your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of your program. If you have a passport as a transgender person, please note that you can change the sex listed on your passport. 
  3. Research all potential countries using the US Department of State's country information pages for information specific to LGBTI travelers (under Special Laws & Circumstances) as well as their Traveler’s Checklist. (Additional resources can be found below to learn about the cultural attitudes and laws in the country abroad. It is important to do country research early.) 
  4. Consider housing options for the program of interest. Do you want a single room and is that an option on the program? 
  5. If you have additional questions or concerns, please speak with a study abroad advisor during drop-in advising hours. Advisors can be reached while applying and when you are abroad. 
  6. Don't forget to apply for scholarships.
  7. Remember, you do have allies around the world. #MyPride   

Preparing to leave for study abroad: 

  1. Pack important documents. The US Department of State recommends: 
    • "Legal and health documents (such as a living will or health care directive). 
    • Parentage and/or custody documents for accompanying minor children (especially if your children do not share your last name).
    • Contact information for your family and/or lawyer in the United States, including someone who has a copy of your itinerary. 
    • Address and phone number of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate, in English and the local language." 
  2. Enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). 

SFSU Resources: 

While abroad, SFSU students still have access to these resources: 

Report any and all sexual harassment and discrimination regardless of where in the world it occurs. Please contact SFSU’s Office of Civil Rights and Title IX.  

Additional Resources: 

Transgender Resources: 

Scholarships: 

Under the current presidential administration, we do NOT recommend that Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA students) study abroad at San Francisco State University.  

If you have any questions, please feel free to speak with an SFSU abroad advisor, the Dream Center Coordinator at SFSU (Griselda Madrigal Lara, drc@sfsu.edu) or sign up here for free legal services.  

We hope to support AB 540 and DACA students to study abroad again in the future.  

In the past, students in DACA status could study abroad with advance parole citing “educational purposes, such as semester abroad programs.” This will require additional planning, applying for advance parole, and awareness of potential risks. DACA students interested in leaving the country, including for educational purposes, should consult an immigration lawyer as well as SFSU's AB 540 Coordinator. 

Getting Started 

  • Be aware of timelines for applying for advance parole and study abroad. Please meet with an SFSU abroad advisor to discuss timelines. 
  • Read about the experience of a DACA student studying abroad. 
  • Consider the cost of advance parole of $475, which cannot be covered by financial aid, and must be obtained prior to departure. 
  • Speak with a lawyer before you are accepted into the program. 
  • Notice the dates of the advance parole and plan all travel accordingly. 
  • Go through the process of researching and applying for a program and attend an information meeting. 
  • Apply for scholarships. Fund for Education Abroad is open to DACA students. 

Dream Center Coordinator at SFSU: Griselda Madrigal Lara 

SFSU has a Dream Center for AB 540 and DACA students. Griselda, who can be reached by email at drc@sfsu.edu, is a resource for study abroad, academics, finances, status and and much more. 

Free Legal Resources 

Immigrant Legal Defense is a free and confidential immigration legal consultant for all SFSU students, faculty, staff and their immediate family members. You can sign up here for their services or email drc@sfsu.edu.  

Applying for Advance Parole 

The SFSU Study Abroad Office is committed to supporting DACA students to study abroad and will be happy to discuss timelines. However, we are not immigration lawyers. Students are encouraged to consult immigration experts. 

  • With the help of a lawyer, complete Form I-131, Application for Travel Document, which can be found on the U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services website. 
  • Allow sufficient time for gathering documents and applying. 

Potential Risks for DACA Students 

There are a few potential concerns that we want to share, but this is not an exhaustive list as we are not immigration experts. 

  • Return prior to the expiration of advance parole as failure may prevent a student’s ability to return. 
  • Advance parole must be granted prior to departing the United States. 
  • Immigration reform may take place while students are abroad that requires students to be physically present in the United States on a specific date or window of time. 
  • Advance parole does not guarantee re-entry into the United State as, while unlikely, immigration officials may deny entry. 
  • Discuss with an immigration expert prior to leaving if any, but not limited to, the following issues: deportation/removal orders, immigration-related fraud, criminal convictions, and/or unauthorized departures from and reentries in the United States. 

Additional Outside Resources 

SFSU Study Abroad is proud to support veterans, ROTC and military-affiliated students to study abroad!  

Getting Started 

  • Begin researching and finding a program the same as everyone else since all SFSU Study Abroad Programs are available to you! 
  • Then, speak with SFSU's Veterans Service Center, as different GI Bills have different requirements for study abroad.   
  • Apply for scholarships. 

Gilman-McCain Scholarship 

Apply for the Gilman-McCain Scholarship if you are: 

  • A dependent child of an active-duty military member(s) during the time of application in one of the following branches: Air Force, Army, Marine Corps, Navy and Coast Guard, including activated (currently on active duty) Reserve Forces, Air National Guard and Army National Guard; 
  • Recipient of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during their study abroad program. 
  • Attend a Gilman Workshop.  

Transfer students may apply to study abroad as early as their FIRST semester at SFSU, which involves you applying to the university and study abroad at the same time noting the different deadlines. Students may apply after they have begun at SFSU to go abroad any term they are enrolled as a degree-seeking student, including their final semester. However, it is highly recommended to come in and learn about the process and plan as soon as possible regardless of the term abroad. 

The SFSU Study Abroad Office is happy to work with you before and after you transfer.  

Applying to study abroad: 

  1. Attend an information meeting! Don't wait. Even if you are still considering where you might apply, attend.  
  2. Renew or apply for your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of your program. 
  3. Select an academic goal for study abroad: your major/minor, upper-division general education requirements and/or to learn/improve another language. Remember, even as a transfer student, you will still need to complete 9 units of upper-division general education coursework. Consider saving those units to study abroad.  
  4. Research programs.  
  5. If you have additional questions or concerns, please speak with a study abroad advisor during drop-in advising hours. Advisors can be reached while applying and when you are abroad. 
  6. Don't forget to apply for scholarships. Some may have deadlines a year in advance of the program's start date. 

Students with disabilities can and do study abroad at SFSU. The SFSU Abroad program collaborates closely with the Disability Programs and Resource Center (DPRC) on campus to offer accessible programs abroad for SFSU students with disabilities. 

All students registered with DPRC, who are eligible for on-campus accommodation, are eligible for accommodation on an SFSU Study Abroad program when it can be arranged. Please meet with your DPRC advisor to ensure that your accommodation form is current. 

Steps to Getting Started: 

  1. Attend an SFSU Abroad Information meeting. To request disability accommodation for the meeting, please contact Study Abroad by phone at (415) 338-1293 or by email at studyabroad@sfsu.edu at least one week prior to an event or meeting. 
  2. Consider when to meet with a study abroad advisor to discuss resources available abroad, which vary by institution and country. The key to any study abroad participation is flexibility and early planning. 

When to disclose a disability or make an accommodation request for a program: 

  1. Disclose your disability needs to a study abroad advisor early, so appropriate arrangements and reasonable accommodation can be made in advance. It is not required to meet with a study abroad advisor or disclose any accommodation needs prior to selection; however, it can be helpful in identifying a program that fits your needs and to make arrangements if you come in early in the process. 
  2. Accommodation requests must be made before departure, at least one month prior. Please authorize the DPRC Office to share your Reasonable Accommodation Verification Form with the SFSU Abroad Office. 

Accommodation Abroad Resources: 

The SFSU Study Abroad Office and the Educational Opportunity and Pathways Program (EOP) have a strong collaboration and commitment to supporting students. Each semester, students are encouraged to attend one of the EOP/Study Abroad Workshops. To see upcoming workshops and register, please do so on EOP's site for Services and Workshops. The workshops include study abroad alumni sharing their experiences selecting a program, using financial aid and applying for scholarships, living abroad and advice for other EOP students. If you cannot attend one of the EOP/Study Abroad Workshops, please attend one of the weekly Study Abroad Information Meetings to learn more about getting started. 

EOP students have the strong support of both SFSU Study Abroad and EOP to explore and participate in study abroad. 

Applying to study abroad: 

  1. Attend an information meeting! Check with your EOP advisor about upcoming EOP/Study Abroad sessions held twice a semester.  
  2. Renew or apply for your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of your program. If you have a passport as a transgender person, please note that you can change the sex listed on your passport. 
  3. Select an academic goal for study abroad: your major/minor, upper or lower-division general education requirements and/or to learn/improve another language.  
  4. Research programs.  
  5. If you have additional questions or concerns, please speak with a study abroad advisor during drop-in advising hours. Advisors can be reached while applying and when you are abroad. 
  6. 6) Don't forget to apply for scholarships. 

Scholarships: 

EOP students should apply for study abroad and non-study abroad scholarships, including the EOP Scholarship to fund their time abroad.

SFSU Study Abroad fits well with students who are a part of the Metro Academy Program. Metro offers students excellent support on campus for the first two years preparing students for completing college. Therefore, it is recommended that Metro students utilize the resources of SFSU Study Abroad and Metro to plan and research study abroad programs for their junior and senior years. Students then benefit from Metro's support for the first half and then the SFSU Abroad Programs for their preparation to go overseas, while abroad and as they return. 

Recommended Timeline: 

  • Freshman: participate in Metro and attend a study abroad information meeting to select a program 
  • Sophomore: continue in Metro and begin applying to study abroad 
  • Junior/Senior: study abroad! 

Since Metro students study abroad as a junior or senior, students can focus on their major, minor, upper-division general education and language learning while abroad. Early planning is key in determining which classes you will take at SFSU and which ones would be better taken abroad.  

Applying to study abroad: 

  1. Attend an information meeting! Don't wait. We like working with you even if it might be two years before you go abroad.  
  2. Renew or apply for your passport. Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months after the end of your program. If you have a passport as a transgender person, please note that you can change the sex listed on your passport. 
  3. Select an academic goal for study abroad: your major/minor, upper-division general education requirements and/or to learn/improve another language.  
  4. Research programs.  
  5. If you have additional questions or concerns, please speak with a study abroad advisor during drop-in advising hours. Advisors can be reached while applying and when you are abroad. 
  6. Don't forget to apply for scholarships. Some may have deadlines a year in advance of the program's start date.  

We look forward to working with you and seeing you at our next information meeting to begin your journey. 

International students studying at SFSU on an F-1 visa can and should study abroad! Apply to study abroad and then after you have been selected please work with your F-1 advisor to remain in status with SFSU for your F-1 visa.  

Applying to study abroad: 

  1. Attend an information meeting!  
  2. Select an academic goal for study abroad: your major/minor, upper-division general education requirements and/or to learn/improve another language. Remember, even as a transfer student, you will still need to complete 9 units of upper-division general education coursework. Consider saving those units to study abroad.  
  3. Research programs.  
  4. If you have additional questions or concerns, please speak with a study abroad advisor during drop-in advising hours. Advisors can be reached while applying and when you are abroad. 
  5. Let your F-1 advisor know you will be studying abroad and check to make sure you are in good standing so you can return to SFSU and the US after the end of your program. 

Resource: First Generation Students Traveling Abroad

Resource: Women Going Abroad

See the accordion below to learn more about studying abroad as a graduating senior.