For Students

The best study abroad experiences begin with thoughtful planning. Start by thinking about what you want to gain—academically, professionally, and personally—and how studying abroad fits into your goals.

A great first step is meeting with your academic advisor. They can help you:

• Stay on track for graduation
• Identify the best semester or term to go abroad
• Plan courses that align with your degree

Planning early ensures your experience enhances your education rather than interrupts it. Jump to additional resources for planning your study abroad experience.

Drake offers a wide range of study abroad experiences to fit different interests, schedules, and goals. You can choose from:

• Semester or year-long programs at universities around the world
• Short-term travel seminars led by Drake faculty
• Exchange and affiliate programs in a variety of locations

As you explore, consider factors like location, academic focus, program length, and cost to find the right fit for you.

Once you’ve identified programs that interest you, connect with the Study Abroad team for one-on-one advising. You’ll receive personalized support to:

• Narrow down your options
• Understand program requirements
• Navigate the application process

Students are required to meet with an advisor before applying to ensure they have the information needed to move forward with confidence.

After you’re accepted into a program, you’ll begin preparing for your time abroad. This includes:

• Securing a passport and travel documents
• Finalizing coursework and credit approvals
• Reviewing health, safety, and cultural considerations
• Planning finances and scholarships

There are many details to consider—but you won’t do it alone. Drake provides resources and support every step of the way.

Studying abroad is more than just taking classes in a different location—it’s an opportunity to immerse yourself in a new culture, build connections, and grow in ways you can’t replicate in a classroom.

Students often:

• Gain independence and confidence
• Build friendships across cultures
• See global issues from new perspectives
• Discover new interests and career paths

Many students describe study abroad as one of the most meaningful and memorable parts of their time at Drake.

Support While You’re Abroad

Even when you’re thousands of miles away, Drake remains part of your support system. You’ll have access to:

• Ongoing guidance from the Study Abroad team
• Health and safety resources
• Academic support and advising
• A network of fellow students and alumni

Your experience is designed to challenge and support you at the same time—helping you grow with confidence.

When you decide you want to study abroad, a great place to start your planning is with your Academic Advisor. They will know your degree plan best, and be able to advise you on academic elements to keep in mind, whether that is certain semesters it's best to stay on campus, or specific courses you'll need to take in sequence, or other nuances to be mindful of. We want study abroad to enhance your academic experience, not delay your progress, so ensuring you're staying on track while abroad is key!

Topics to discuss with your advisor:

• Is there a best time for students in my major to study abroad?
• Are there certain courses you'd recommend I try to take abroad, such as AOIs?
• Can you help me plan my courses before studying abroad to ensure I have good course options while studying abroad?
• Do you know of other students in my major who studied abroad, and what program they did?
• What else should I keep in mind when choosing my program, semester, and courses?

Once you've selected and been approved for a study abroad program, you'll complete a course evaluation form with your advisor (except for students on travel seminars). See FAQ page under Academics for more information about that process.

Once you've met with your Academic Advisor and have an idea of what you're looking for out of your study abroad experience, it's a great time to meet with our office. Students are required to attend at least one advising session to ensure they have the information needed to get started with their application. If students are attending a Drake faculty-led program, their questions can be directed to the faculty member, as well as to our office.

You can book an appointment to come in for one-on-one advising here.

Ahead of your advising appointment, we recommend that you:

• Research locations, courses offered, and cost. Program information can be found in our online study abroad program search. Learn more about the types of Programs available (Drake, Exchange, or Affiliate).
• Apply for, or renew, your Passport, if necessary. Passports must be valid six months beyond your program's end date. A passport can take more than two months to arrive after ordering, so start your passport application early! You also need your passport number for some of your enrollment and travel paperwork, so ideally you have your passport in handat leastthree months before departure.

All students traveling internationally on a Drake, Exchange, or Affiliate programs must apply online. Students must be approved by Drake University to join an education abroad program in order to receive academic credit, and to use Drake scholarships and financial aid towards the experience.

Once you find the program in the study abroad portal, simply click "Apply Now" and complete the application. In order to process your application, you'll need to meet with an Education Abroad Advisor or Peer Advisor (See "Study Abroad Advising" section). If you've met with an advisor before starting an application, please email us to ensure this requirement is marked as Complete. If you have started an application at the time you meet with our office, we'll mark that Complete at the conclusion of the meeting.

Be aware that the application is a two-step process for Exchange & Partner programs. You must first apply and be approved to study abroad by Drake University. Then you must also apply and be approved by the Exchange or Partner. Once Drake has approved your application, further instructions will be provided on next steps with those organizations.

The J-term Travel Seminars for the upcoming year are revealed at the J-term Fair in March, 10 months prior to travel. On the day of the J-term Fair, our office opens the application cycle for J-term programs abroad. Students must apply through the online application system, and cannot sign up for J-term courses abroad through Self Service or any other system. As some J-term Travel Seminars fill very quickly, students can apply to more than one program, and rank their programs of interest. J-term Affiliate and Exchange programs do not follow the same deadlines as Travel Seminars.

To be eligible for an education abroad experience, students must meet Drake University requirements, as well as any program specific requirements. For example, some programs may require that you have a certain major, be a junior or senior, or have a higher GPA requirement.

General Eligibility Criteria

1. Sophomore standing or above
2. Minimum 2.5 GPA
3. Pass Drake University's disciplinary check
4. Complete a Study Abroad online application before the deadline.
5. Complete pre-departure requirements, including attending the Pre-Departure Orientation session.
6. Attend any Drake Program meetings hosted by Drake faculty (if joining a Drake Program abroad).
7. Meet any other program specific requirements (varies per program, but may be something like a course prerequisite).
8. Maintain the Drake Code of Conduct before departure and while traveling abroad.

J-Term

• Travel Seminars: April 1 for Priority Deadline; rolling acceptance after that until program is full
• Exchange and Affiliate Programs: September 1, 2024 (REMINDER: the partner also has a deadline that you must meet)

Spring Term

• Drake Cohort Programs: September 1 each year
• Exchange, Direct Enroll, and Affiliate Programs: September 1 each year (REMINDER: the partner also has a deadline which may be earlier than September 1)

Summer Term

• Exchange and Affiliate Programs: March 1 each year (REMINDER: the partner also has a deadline which may be earlier than March 1)

Fall and Academic Year Term

• Drake Cohort Programs: April 1 each year
• Exchange, Direct Enroll, and Affiliate Programs: April 1 each year (REMINDER: the partner also has a deadline which may be earlier than April 1)

Drake Programs

Most Drake Programs abroad are offered during J-Term (programs typically travel for one to three weeks, and depart early January).

1. Attend Drake's J-Term Fair during the Spring semester (usually held in March)
2. Search for Drake Programs abroad
3. Speak with a Drake faculty program leader or our office to learn more about the program
4. Meet with your Academic Advisor to discuss how the course(s) will fit into your Drake degree plan.
5. Start and complete the online application. Once the priority deadline passes, Global Engagement will utilize the course's acceptance criteria (if applicable), as well as the student's course registration standing. Students with more senior standing (Graduate students, Seniors) are given priority over Juniors and Sophomores. This is based on the number of credits a student has earned.
6. Meet with the Financial Aid office once you have picked a program to discuss how your financial aid package will apply.
7. Submit a passport application or passport renewal, if needed. The nearest agency that can process your passport application is the United States Post Office (USPS) store located at 1165 2nd Ave in Des Moines. If you have a passport, make sure your passport is valid six months beyond the return date of your program.

Exchange and Affiliate Programs

1. Review our Programs page and research approved program options in our study abroad portal.
2. Meet with your Academic Advisor to understand any restrictions or considerations for your program options.
3. Meet with Drake's Education Abroad Advisor or a Peer Advisor to discuss the application process, program options, financial aid, scholarships, credit transfer, etc. Appointments can be made here.
4. Attend Drake's Education Abroad Fair, if possible, during the Fall semester (usually held during Welcome Week). Check our social media for updates!
5. Start and complete an online application as soon as possible. The application must be submitted before Drake's deadline. Our Affiliate and Exchange partners also have applications and deadlines. Our office will share more details about partner applications and deadlines once you are approved to study abroad.
6. Meet with the Financial Aid office once you have picked a program.
7. Meet with your Academic Advisor again to discuss how the course(s) will fit into your Drake degree plan. Click to download a Course Approval Form.
8. Submit a passport application or passport renewal, if needed. The nearest agency that can process your passport application is the United States Post Office (USPS) store located at 1165 2nd Ave in Des Moines. Make sure your passport is valid six months beyond the return date of your program. Students need a passport in hand at least four months before departure so they can submit the passport to a consulate for their student visa.

Drake Programs

1. Our office notifies student of their acceptance status. Students have approximately 2 weeks to decide if they wish to commit to the program.
2. To be fully accepted, students must (1) digitally signing the Payment Agreement form in their Via portal and (2) paying the $500 non-refundable deposit and submitting proof of payment in Via
3. Once these items are submitted, students will move from "Conditionally Accepted" to "Accepted". Students can now click "Commit" in Via!
4. Once committed, students complete additional pre-departure forms in Via.
5. Attend the in-person Pre-Departure Orientation (held the semester before departure).
6. Attend all meetings with the faculty program leaders the semester leading up to departure.

Exchange and Affiliate Programs

1. Our office notifies student of their acceptance status
2. Once accepted, begin and complete the Exchange or Affiliate Program’s application
3. Commit to the program in Via and complete additional pre-departure forms
4. Research if your host country requires you to get a student visa. If so, start to gather required documents, and book an appointment at the consulate, if necessary. You may need to travel to submit and pick-up your passport and supporting materials (many consulates are in Chicago).
5. Attend the Pre-Departure Orientation (held the semester before departure).

We understand that finances are a huge factor in determining whether study abroad is a viable option for you. We strongly encourage students to meet with the Financial Aid Office on campus before committing to a program to ensure you understand the out-of-pocket costs involved and how financial aid may be applied. See our Finances page to learn more about the cost structure of study abroad at Drake.