Choosing a university & applying to go
10 steps to studying abroad
Where to start? Navigating through the requirements and deadlines and figuring out the little details can be daunting. The ten steps below will help you get started.
1. Make sure you’re eligible to go.
2. Determine your academic and personal goals for studying abroad.
What learning outcomes do you want to achieve while you're away? Studying abroad is an excellent opportunity to challenge yourself academically and personally.
- Tip: Although it might seem scary at first, you can learn a lot by pushing yourself beyond your comfort zone.
3. Talk to your faculty advisor about your degree requirements.
Make sure you know which courses you still need to take to graduate. This will help you determine which courses you should take abroad.
4. Research partner universities using the partner pages.
- Tip: Keep your learning and personal goals in mind as you research universities. Make sure you will be able to take the courses you need to fulfill for your degree requirements. Which leads us to...
5. Check out the partner university’s course catalogue.
When researching courses, remember to think about your degree requirements. For example: If you have three credits of upper-year Arts or History to fulfill, take an upper-year Arts or History course at the partner university.
- Tip: Sometimes courses aren't available to Exchange students. Check the university’s Exchange website for details.
- Tip: Use older versions of the catalogue to get a general sense of the courses offered in a typical semester.
- Tip: Many universities offer unique courses not available at UBC – take advantage of this!
6. Connect with past Go Global participants. They can be a great resource, and they're usually very eager to give advice and share their experiences.
- Read our student reports.
- Check out our student profiles
- Attend an event.
- Email past participants by using the Go Global Student Directory.
7. Learn about the transfer credit process.
Transfer credit is crucial to the Exchange process. Make sure you're familiar with how it works.
You can see what courses students have taken at partner schools and how they transferred back to UBC using the Database of Credit Equivalencies . Note: you aren’t restricted to taking just these courses, it’s just what people have taken so far.
8. Find out about international learning awards available to you – there are lots!
Don't think you can afford to go? Think again! Most students qualify for a $1,000 Go Global Award.
9. Meet with a Go Global regional advisor during drop-in advising hours or attend an info session to address any additional questions.
Use your time wisely - be prepared and come with specific questions you can't find answers to
10. Submit an application with your top three choices.
