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Interested in Study Away?
International Student Study Away Guide
APU’s CCEL/Study Away office coordinates Semester and GO Term program options. There are factors for each type of program that make the program more or less of an option for international students including but not limited to: program location, length of program, mode of courses (online or in person), etc. The items below provide resources to help find a program that is right for you!
Navigating Immigration Documents
Program Options - Each program offers different courses.
Current Semester Program Options
Current GO Term Program Options
Apply - Complete the application for your program. See “How to Apply” here. Some students prefer to consult with International Student Services (ISS) prior to applying to make sure the program is an option for them.
Immigration Services Approval Form - Complete the International Student Services Approval Form. Make an appointment with ISS for the required signature. It is important to understand your student visa and immigration status while on a Study Away program. In order to study away, you are required to make an appointment with an ISS Immigration Services Representative after you submit your Study Away Application. During your appointment, you will complete an “International Student Services Approval Form.”
ISS Appointment - During your appointment, you will review the following Immigration Checklist:
I-20: Valid on the day of return back to the U.S.and contains accurate information about your study in the United States (i.e. your major and minor are updated).
Passport - Valid for at least 6 months from the day of return back to the U.S.
U.S. Visa - Valid on the day of return back to the U.S.
I-94 - You have retrieved and have a copy of your current I-94.
Note - Once you leave and re-enter the U.S., you will get a new I-94 and will not be able to retrieve your previous I-94.
Duration of travel - Ensure that you will not be outside of the U.S. for 5 months or more.
Note - If you are flying back to your home country after the Study Away semester and thus will be out of the U.S. for 5 months or more, you cannot come back with the same I-20 and SEVIS number.
*You cannot be fully accepted into an APU Study Away Program without a complete “Immigration Services Approval Form.” Immigration documents can vary depending on one’s country of origin and situation. Therefore, do not assume that the process will be the same for everyone.
Review APU Policies & Procedures - In order to study away, confirm that you meet the following APU requirements for international students:
Credits - You must take a minimum of 12 credits during a Study Away Semester program
Online Course - You may take no more than 3 credits of online course work during your semester program if you are only taking the minimum full-time credits.
Leave of Absence (LOA) - Taking a LOA from APU has different immigration implications. If you are exploring a Leave of Absence in order to participate in a Study Away Semester Program, you must state that during your “Immigration Services Approval Form” appointment with ISS to see if this will or will not work for you.
Determine any Program Location Visa Needs - The Study Away Office is dedicated to help you safely and legally enter and exit your Study Away location. You may need a visa for the Study Away location you intend to travel to. A couple of factors influence this including (1) your passport country and (2) duration of your stay. The Study Away office is responsible to:
Notify you if a program location visa is required
Provide instructions on how to complete the visa application process for that location
Provide the appropriate, supporting documentation to complete the visa application process.
Complete any Program Location Visa Needs - Once prepared with the above documents, it is the student’s responsibility to pay for and submit the visa application independent from the Study Away office. The student is also required to submit a copy of the final processed visa to studyaway@apu.edu as soon as the visa is acquired.
Complete Pre-Program Work - Work with the CCEL/Study Away office to ensure that you have completed all of the above requirements so that all items needed are guaranteed to be in place before departure.
I-20 - Your I-20 is signed by a an ISS Immigration Services representative
Visa - You have acquired a visa covering the dates of your stay in your study away location.
* F1 and J1 mostly
* US Resident or not
* Best by junior year
* OPT
* Considerations: length of time out of the country , no option with any NON-APU Programs,
* Department of Homeland Security, Study in the States Resource: Study Abroad for F-1 Students
Contacts
International Services
Location - Building 29 (East Campus)
Phone - (626) 812-3055
Email - issimmigrationsvcs@apu.edu
Student Services Center
Location - Building 29 (East Campus)
Phone - 626-815-2020
Email - ssc@apu.edu, Schedule appointments via email
Study Away Office (CCEL, Community Engaged Learning)
Location - Building 22 (East Campus)
Phone - 626-857-2440
Email - studyaway@apu.edu
Alumni Quotes
(Photo Credit: Allan Einhorn)
Edward Madrid
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Graphic Design Major, Photography Minor
Art Program, New York and London
“Studying away gave me the opportunity to find friends and share an
experience with people outside my circle of friends.”
Lydia Ho
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Interdisciplinary Studies Major, Christian Ministry Minor
South Africa Program
“Most international students are exposed to a culture already so a lot of us don’t think that we need to know more cultures but there is so much more to know out there to learn.”
(Photo Credit: Lauren Di Mauro)
Yuko Tan
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Masters in Business Management-International Business
Europe Summer Program
“This opportunity launched my ability to see business outside of the classroom context.This was a great balance of school and leisure so you don’t feel too stressed out.”
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