INTERNATIONAL EXPERIENCE GENERAL PREPARATION TIMELINE 2015-2016
1-2 YEARS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE
- EXPLORE your options
- Contact International Programs
- Indicate your location of interest
- Create a budget including the cost of travel, tuition (if earning credit), VISA, passport, lodging, transportation, meals and personal items…(visit Financial Aid if applicable)
- Download the KUMC International Educational Experience Application at
- Submit SITE SPECIFIC APPLICATION materials
- If you are doing your 4th year medical elective rotation, every location has different application materials, requirements and deadlines. If you are doing a 4th year SOM rotation in February, you will receive information from International Programs about these requirements. If you do not receive this site specific information, contact OIP directly and request the information. The submission of the Site Elective Rotation applications will be coordinated by OIP.
- If you are doing any other international experience, confirm your site, site mentor etc. with both the site and OIP.
- Meet with your Academic Advisor (if earning credit) and get advisor signature on theKUMC Intern’l Educational Experience Application
- Start exploring culture and developing your cross-cultural competence by attending The Culture Hour, every Thursday, 12-1:00 in the Calkins Conference Room G005 Orr Major (mandatory attendance at 3 meetings prior to traveling abroad)
- Apply for your passport/renew your passport
- Note: If you have a valid, unexpired passport, is your passport valid for at least 6 months after the planned return date of your trip? And do you have at least two pages available for stamps in your passport?
- Submit a color copy of your passport to International Programs at
4 MONTHS - 1 YEAR PRIOR TO DEPARTURE
- Make your travel arrangements
- Submit your itinerary to International Programs at
- Make an appointment with Student Health for immunizations, prophylaxis, etc., and to obtain signature on application.(Because the airports you fly through, stop overs, touring plans etc. affect this appointment, IN GENERAL, YOU WILL MAKE THIS APPOINTMENT AFTER YOU HAVE YOUR TRAVEL ITINERARY.)
- Bring your itinerary to the appointment
- Get your VISA (if applicable) (International Programs will assist you with this process. Please contact OIP 6 months in advance.)
- Submit a color copy to International Programs at
2-4 MONTHS PRIOR TO DEPARTURE
- Attend one requiredHealth and Safety Meeting
- Register with Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at
- Read the Travel Tips specific to your educational experience destination
- Read the PRE-DEPARTURE SUGGESTIONS
- Read the PROBLEM SOLVERS
- Read and travel with the SAFETY ABROAD BROCHURE
- Sign and submit the Waiver of Liability form (Stacie Rader in our office is a Notary Public)
- Submit Health Insurance information or complete the Lewer Agency Health Insurance form and submit $25 to the Office of International Programs
- Submit completed International Educational Experience Application with all signatures to International Programs at
- Be sure that all necessary paperwork has been submitted and received by International Programs:
- International Educational Experience Application (upon completion of all requirements)
- Color copy of your passport
- Color copy of your VISA (if applicable)
- Flight and travel itinerary
- Emergency Contact Form
- Health Insurance information
- Waiver of Liability (Notary in office)
- STEP enrollment confirmation
- Deemed Export Form (outbound)
THE DAY AFTER YOU RETURN TO THE STATES
- Upon your return check in by email with OIP at
1-3 WEEKS AFTER YOUR RETURN
- Set up a debriefing meeting with the Education Abroad staff
- Complete an assessment of the experience
- Share your experience with the OIP Facebook Group at
- Share your actual final budget for your experience with OIP
6-12 MONTHS AFTER YOUR RETURN
- Give a poster presentation at the Fall and Spring International Health Elective Showcases
- Promote this experience to others whenever possible