Before You Go

Planning & Trip Selection

Bucknell University encourages all students to take advantage of study abroad opportunities. The Office of Global & Off-Campus Education will pair you with an adviser who will work with you and your academic adviser to help you choose the trip that will fit your academic needs and provide you with the best experience. To enhance your likelihood of success, Bucknell requires you to have adequate preparation (reflected in your GPA, class year or conduct record) before you go.

Semester Study Abroad Eligibility Requirements:

• Have completed the full semester on campus prior to your semester abroad.
• Have a cumulative GPA of 2.8 (fall) or 3.0 (spring).
• Have a history of good conduct with the University.
• All conduct violation records will be evaluated by the Office of Global & Off-campus Education.
• Students who do not meet the GPA requirements for off-campus study may consider studying abroad during the summer.

Pre-Application Process

To begin your application, you will need to fill out a Pre-Application form and schedule an advising session with a staff member from the Office of Global & Off Campus Education. All students who are eligible to study abroad (sophomores, juniors and first semester seniors), are required to complete the pre-application form.
Learn more about the application process

Advising and Academic Planning

Students who plan to study abroad are required to meet with their academic adviser and their global education adviser, in that order. Advising and academic planning are necessary and beneficial. Planning for study abroad is an extensive process. Global Education and academic advisers are your main resources for planning properly to study abroad.

During global education advising, your adviser will cover various topics with you, including, but not limited to:

• Discussing program options in detail and identifying methods to empower you to research and consider the best program fit for you based on academics, location, personal and career interests.
• Reviewing your preliminary financial questions and providing appropriate resources for your planning and sources of funding for study abroad including financial aid and scholarships.
• Guiding you through the application process and discussing items of importance such as health, safety, security and crossing cultures.

As you continue to explore your study abroad options, please remember the following important items:

• Speak with your academic adviser(s) about studying abroad, discussing any academic progress you need to make while abroad and complete the academic worksheet included in the booklet.
• Visit the Getting Started portion of the Global Education webpage to view types of study abroad programs at bucknell.edu/GlobalEducation
• Complete the Intent to Study Abroad Registration Form (pre-application form) on the Getting Started portion of the Global Education webpage: bucknell.edu/ GlobalEducation
• Sign up for an advising meeting with a global education adviser.
• Remember to bring your completed Global Education Study Abroad Basics booklet to your global education advising meeting(s).
  Study Abroad Basics Booklet

Advising Process

Applications may only be started during the advising and application period for the upcoming term.

The Advising periods are as follows:

Fall 2020/Full Year Term 2020–2021: Oct. 7, 2019 – Jan. 30, 2020
Spring 2021 Term: March 2, 2020 – Sept. 10, 2020
Summer 2020: Aug. 26, 2019 – April 1, 2020

This only applies to non-Bucknell summer programs. Bucknell in Faculty-led Summer programs will maintain individual advising and applications periods. Check the specific program web page for additional details.

There are space limits on the spring and fall semester. Since applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis, it is possible for the spring or fall term to close prior to the end of the advising/application period. Applications will be reviewed and processed on a rolling basis during the advising periods.

Since space is limited each semester, it will be important to meet with your Global Education adviser early in the advising period to ensure you can move forward with the application process.

Students must stay in contact with their Global Education adviser throughout the advising and application process.

Before Take Off

Once you’ve submitted an application and received approval from Global Education, these
are a few things you should have completed before you begin your trip.

• Submitting post acceptance materials to Global Education and your program.
• Examples include transfer of credit forms, liability forms, passport copies, etc.
• Completing the mandatory online health and safety course and reviewing the cross cultural information. Visit the For Students link on the Global Education web page for more details.
• Considering logistical preparations such as program deposits, flights, visas, health planning, immunizations and communication with family, friends and Global Education while you are studying abroad.
• Your global education adviser is able to help guide you through these “takeoff procedures”.