Pre-Departure

After You Are Accepted for Study Abroad

Once you have been endorsed for study abroad by the Education Abroad Office at OU, you will receive an email from our online application system informing you as such. You will need to login to your homepage using your OU 4x4 and select the “commit” option to move forward.

It is very important to check your OU official email quite regularly after Education Abroad endorses your study abroad application. Customized information updates and requests will be sent to your OU email.

You will also want to regularly go to your application homepage for check for program updates and other important information. Login to our homepage using your OU 4x4 and you will be directed to your applicant homepage.

The host university or program may request information on your major, other interests, health status, medical insurance, language proficiency, course preferences, and passport number. You also may be required to supply pictures of yourself. Many of our partner universities will not issue an acceptance letter until they have received these forms.

Endorsement from OU Education Abroad to study abroad does not necessarily mean that you have been accepted into the first host university or program of your choice. If you have questions on this matter, please consult with your study abroad adviser.

Pre-Departure Orientation Learning Program

All OU students attending a study abroad program are required to complete an official pre-departure orientation learning program. OU students attending Education Abroad approved programs will be required to watch a series of videos that will be deployed to their application homepage upon endorsement. After carefully watching all of the required videos, students will need to demonstrate an understanding of the video content by passing an online assessment.

Students are invited to share the content of the videos deployed to their homepage with family and friends.

Trip Cancellation Insurance

Some students may wish to purchase trip cancellation insurance, although the Education Abroad office does not require it. The University of Oklahoma is affiliated with a trip cancellation insurance program that is available to OU students, faculty and staff. For more information, including plan details, coverage, and pricing, please see: https://edu.insuremytrip.com/oklahoma/

Medical Insurance on Study Abroad

All students participating in credit bearing, OU study abroad programs will be enrolled in comprehensive insurance through FrontierMEDEX. This insurance is required and is integral to the participation of any students on OU study abroad programs. Fees for this insurance will be charged directly to the student’s bursar account prior to the start date of the program at the rate of $1.15 per program day.

Student insurance will become active 48 hours prior to the program start date and will remain active for 48 hours after the final end date of the program. For a comprehensive list of coverage offered to OU students through FrontierMEDEX, please click here. Students wishing to have additional international student insurance for personal travel beyond the program dates will have to purchase this separately.

Visas

In many countries, students are required to obtain a visa in order to study for a summer, semester or year. The process of applying for a student visa varies greatly. Variables such as citizenship, length of study, embassy or consular preference may impact the processing time as well as the requirements needed to obtain a student visa. Such requirements may include a criminal background check or proof of sufficient funds to study abroad.

Your study abroad adviser can give you some tips about foreign entry requirements for the place or places you intend to study abroad after you have been endorsed into your study abroad program. However, it is ultimately your responsibility to determine visa and/or entry requirements for your study abroad destination.

Foreign entry requirements for US citizens can be researched on the U.S. Department of State website.

There are many visa agencies that will provide assistance to international travelers. The University of Oklahoma does not endorse any single visa agency. Below is a list of visa agencies that our colleagues in the field of international education have used before. You may find it helpful to consult with one of these agencies.

A Briggs Passport & Visa Expeditors
Perry International
Travisa
CIBT
ZVS

U.S. Department of State Resources

The U.S. Department of State has a free service that allows you to enter information about travel abroad so that you may be better assisted in case of an emergency. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program or STEP also atuomatically signs you up for information updates from the nearest US embassy or consulate abroad where you will be studying.
You may also want to take a look at the new U.S. Department of State Web site for students. It addresses many issues that are unique to student travel and can serve as a useful resource for you.

The Office of Education Abroad refers to many of the State Department publications during pre-departure orientation. Those listed below are referred to during pre-departure orientation and should be read prior to leaving the United States.

A Safe Trip Abroad
Drugs Abroad
Lost and Stolen U.S. Passport Abroad
Assistance to U.S. Citizens Arrested Abroad

Health Issues

Staying healthy abroad requires planning, research and smart decision making. Upon acceptance to study abroad with an approved University of Oklahoma program, you will be given access to several videos that cover a number of health topics. All students are required to watch these videos before going abroad through an OU approved program.

Education Abroad encourages all students to schedule an appointment with a health care professional as soon as they know where they will be studying abroad. This will give you and your doctor an opportunity to discuss how best to plan for your wellness abroad. OU Health Services offers travel consultations, and can advise students about immunizations, vaccinations and medication plans. To make an appointment, call the Goddard Health Center at 405-325-4441.

The following links provide useful information about health and international travel:

OU Health Services International Travel Brochure
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
World Health Organization