Resources for Students

As part of our commitment to the value of understanding multiple perspectives and the impact of global transformation, SOLES degree students must, as part of their requirements for graduation, undertake an international experience. We believe these experiences contribute to the entire learning and professional preparation processes for our students and graduates.

Options for fulfilling the international requirement may vary between departments. All students are required to first meet with their academic advisor for pre-approval for all options.

Application Windows

Withdraw Policy

The withdraw policies vary each semester and are based on the cost of each individual program. 

Fall 2020

Intersession 2021

Spring 2021

Overview of Study Abroad Enrollment Process

When students open an application for a study abroad program, their default application status is "Pending". During this time, students will need to complete the requirements listed in their USD Abroad application portal.  After these preliminary requirements have been completed, they will be prompted by their study abroad advisor to initiate the study abroad enrollment process. There are three steps in the study abroad enrollment process (Step 1, Step 2, Step 3). Within each of these steps, students will be prompted to complete certain requirements. These steps including a description of the requirements within each step are detailed below: 

Step 1: Activation Required

After students' pending applications have been reviewed by the study abroad advisors, they will be prompted to complete Step 1 of the enrollment process.  In this first step, their application status will read, "Step 1: Activation Required".  At this time, students will need to activate their application by clicking the “Yes, Agree” button in the “My Application” section of their online application. Doing so will signify that the student wishes to continue with the application process and will work on completing remaining application requirements. In order to move to Step 2 of the application process, students are required to complete this important step. 

Step 2: Application Active/Review by USD

After clicking "Yes, Agree" in the "My Application" section of their application, an application is activated but not yet complete.  At this time, students must complete all requirements (material submissions, questionnaires) by the established deadline. Deadlines for completing all application requirements are listed on the Important Dates and Deadlines page. Failure to complete the application requirements by the deadline will result in the withdrawal of an application and may result in additional charges.

As part of Step 2 of the enrollment process, students will be required to provide information related to their wellness to verify that there are no contraindications to travel abroad. The Global Center and/or Wellness Units at USD may request additional documentation related to students' readiness to travel from the student or from the student's health/mental health professional. This additional documentation must be submitted by the established due dates as listed on the Important Dates page. 

Students should NOT purchase their flight while in Step 2 of the enrollment process.  Once application statuses have been changed to "Step 3: Enrolled" students will receive flight information from their study abroad advisor.  Should students decide to withdraw from the program after their application has been activated, they will be held to the Refund Policy.

Step 3: Program Enrollment

When students' application status reads: “Step 3: Enrolled” this confirms that they have met all eligibility requirements, and have completed all application materials. They are now confirmed to study abroad.  Therefore, they can proceed to purchase flights.  It is highly recommended that students purchase flight insurance to protect them in the event that they are not able to participate in the study abroad program (due to an emergency, if they become ineligible, etc.).  

Description of Application Statuses

All official application statuses are listed at the top of the students' application under “My Application.” Please note that there are different application statuses and students are responsible for understanding the implications of their status. Below is a description of the application statuses used by the Global Center. Students should refer to this list to clarify their application status as indicated on their application and decision email (sent by their Studies Abroad Advisor):

• Pending- Students have not yet been reviewed and/or application is incomplete.

• Application Complete- Under Review- Student has completed the preliminary application requirements and the application is being reviewed by the Global Center
• Step 1: Activation Required- Students must activate their application by clicking on the "Yes, Agree" button under the "My Application" section of their application. 
• Step 2: Application Active- Application is active and students are prompted to complete additional application requirements.  

• Step 3: Enrolled- Student is confirmed to participate in the program (by all study abroad parties).

Cancellation Policy 

Students are able to cancel at any time during the enrollment process, however, there may be fees incurred based on the date of cancellation.  

Global study courses are considered part of the University's academic curriculum. Financial aid, therefore, is available to eligible students. However, it is important to note that financial aid packages may vary depending on which program the student is attending. Students should contact the USD One Stop Student Center to discuss this prior to submitting an application for a course.

SOLES Financial Aid - Students may also explore financial aid available from the School of Leadership and Education Sciences in the form of loans and scholarships by visiting the SOLES Financial Aid website. If you are considering applying for financial aid to assist with the cost of going abroad, be sure to work that element into your personal timeline as well.

There are several other external opportunities to fund research, study abroad, or teaching that could fulfill or contribute to fulfilling the international requirement. Keep in mind that meticulous and early planning is always critical to obtain financial aid. Some foundations, such as Rotary International, require applications over one year in advance. See International Exchange Opportunities for funded opportunities.

All students participating in a USD short-term study abroad program are covered by international health insurance through ACE/EuropAssist. This insurance functions mainly through reimbursement (if the costs are low). There is NO deductible per illness/injury. An outline of the ACE/EuropAssist medical insurance policy will be provided to all students participating a study abroad program, along with an identification card and claim form. The ACE/EuropeAssist travel assistance program is considered supplemental coverage and CANNOT be used to waive out of the sponsored USD Student Health Insurance Plan.

NOTE FOR STUDENTS ON USD'S STUDENT HEALTH INSURANCE PLAN: All full-time students who are usually covered in San Diego on USD's student health insurance plan will remain enrolled in the USD student health insurance plan while they are studying abroad. If you have questions about this requirement, for domestic students visit the USD Student Health Insurance Requirement website to learn more or e-mail the USD Wellness Area at wellness@sandiego.edu, for international students visit the OISS Health Insurance Requirements website. 

NOTE: International students at USD who are studying abroad on an approved USD program that takes place in their home country are not covered by the ACE/EuropeAssist policy. It is the students' responsibility to obtain full coverage insurance. For more information, we highly recommend that these students contact Alyssa Irizarry, Associate Director, of International Student Engagement in the Office of International Students and Scholars.

Students should feel free to contact ACE/EuropAssist if:

• You require a referral to a hospital or doctor
• You are hospitalized
• You need to be evacuated or repatriated for medical or security reasons
• You need to guarantee payment for medical expenses
• You experience local communication problems and need a translator and interpreter
• In the event that a student needs to seek medical attention or has a medical emergency while abroad, s/he is advised to follow these simple instructions:

Call ACE/EuropAssist (available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) at:
1-800-758-5417 FREE toll free in the USA or Canada
1-240-330-1466 collect outside of the USA

Email: OPS@europassistance-usa.com

When calling, please have the following information:

1. Name of caller, phone no., fax no., relationship to patient
2. Patient's name, age, sex and policy number
3. A description of the patient's condition
4. Name, location, and telephone number of hospital
5. Name and telephone numbers for the treating doctor (where and when the doctor can be reached if known)
6. USD international insurance policy number (this is printed on the insurance card)

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the SOLES Global Center by telephone at (619) 260-5901 or by email at: globalcenter@sandiego.edu

In order to participate in a study abroad program, all students must have a valid passport.  Passports should be valid for up to 3 months after the scheduled date of return from abroad.  Students are advised to check their passport validity as soon as possible to ensure their passport is valid through this extended date (3 months after the scheduled date of return from abroad)—those who have a passport that will expire prior to this extended date will need to obtain a new passport.

Obtaining a Passport

Students who do not have a passport or if their passport will expire prior to the extended date (see above), they should apply for a passport immediately.  There are two recommended ways to obtain a passport:

Through an Authorized Passport Acceptance Facility

Students have the option to apply for a new passport through an authorized passport acceptance facility. Standard processing time is 4-5 weeks.  For instructions on how to apply, visit the U.S... Department of State website.  Before applying for a new passport through an authorized passport acceptance facility, students should first check the date of when they will need to have their valid passport in-hand. Students must have a valid passport in-hand at the time they apply for a visa.  Based on this timeline, students may need to expedite their passport when applying through an authorized passport acceptance facility (for an additional fee).  Expedited processing time through a passport acceptance facility is 2-3 weeks.  Students who need a passport sooner than these processing times should apply for a passport at a Department of State Passport Agency (see below).

Through a Department of State Passport Agency

Students who need to obtain their passport in less than 2-3 weeks are highly encouraged to apply at a local Department of State Passport Agency. Applying at a passport agency is an expedited service where passports can be generated in 5 days or less.  The closest passport agencies are in downtown San Diego and in Los Angeles.  Students need to make an appointment through the automated system (24 hours/7 days) by calling 1-877-487-2778 FREE.

Visa Information

Outgoing Students Going Abroad

Visa regulations vary from country to country. Visa requirements are based on each country's specific regulations and will vary depending on your citizenship. Your study abroad advisor will share visa information with you after you have been officially accepted to a program.

When applying for a student visa, materials must be presented to the consulate with jurisdiction over your PERMANENT ADDRESS. In most cases, this needs to be done in person.

It is YOUR responsibility to ensure that you have the most recent information regarding student visa requirements for the consulate under whose jurisdiction you reside. Visa requirements are subject to change and may differ from consulate to consulate.

VISAS FOR SHORT-TERM PROGRAMS: If you are not a U.S... citizen you MAY be required to obtain a visa to participate in a short-term program. For NON-U.S... CITIZENS: Please refer to the consulate web site for the country where you will be studying to determine if you will need a student or tourist visa.

NOTE: If you appear at a consulate without all materials in order, you may be turned away. Remember, there is no legal right to a visa.

Community of Scholars Database

COS database - While this is called the Community of Science, it applies to all disciplines, including education. You can search for funding sources that are specific to you and your interests.

International Internships, Scholarships and Grant Opportunities

U.S. Scholar Program:

• Fulbright Scholar Program
• Application Timeline-Deadlines
• Fulbright Scholar List and Links
• Fulbright Traditional Scholar Program
• Fulbright Distinguished Chairs Program
• Fulbright Senior Specialists Program
• Fulbright New Century Scholars Program
• Fulbright Alumni Initiatives Awards
• Fulbright International Administrators Program
• Fulbright German Studies Seminar Program
• Fulbright Institute of Higher Education Awards

U.S. Student Program:

• Fulbright U.S. Student Program
• Types of Grants for Students
  • Study/Research
  • English Teaching Assistantship
  • MTVu (music)
  • Public Policy
  • Germany, Hungary and Italy
  • Critical Language Enhancement Award
• Application Deadlines/Timeline

• International School Services
• Living, Working and Traveling Around the World
• Teaching Abroad Opportunities

Maximum Number of Courses Taken at Reduced Tuition

Beginning January 1, 2020, SOLES students will be limited to a maximum of two courses for which a tuition reduction will be applied for courses taken as part of the SOLES Global Center programming. Students may enroll in additional study abroad course options, but will be billed according to regular tuition rates for their academic program.

Tuition Remission

Tuition remission may be used for select study abroad programs. Tuition remission is an employee benefit, and thus is processed with Human Resources. The tuition remission benefit can be used toward the tuition portion of all short-term programs. Students are responsible for the program and global center fee.

You may also review the Tuition Remission Step by Step Guide for additional clarification.