Where to Start - USAC
USAC’s goal is to prepare students to study abroad. To that end, we provide extensive pre-departure support covering academic, cultural, and logistical aspects of the program and guide students through visa requirements, insurance, and other necessary preparations.
Once abroad, students can utilize their on-site resources and/or continue to reach out to our Central Office staff. We have a Health & Safety team available 24/7 for any emergencies that may arise. In the event of an emergency, we will be in contact with the primary and secondary contacts listed on the student’s Gateway account.
While USAC is not a university, we are made up of a consortium of universities and thereby respect Family Education Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) guidelines. This means the information we share with families and supporters can be limited, and only those listed as a student’s primary or secondary contact can receive certain information from us.
- Provide support before, during, and after program.
- Ensure private information is secure.
- Perform administrative tasks.
- Review processes and procedures.
- Determine which programs are available to students and who will be billed for USAC fees.
- Collaborate on approval of each student to study abroad.
- Collaborate on any health/safety emergencies that arise.
- Arrange the disbursement of grade reports and foreign transcripts.
- Discuss the expectations of students and USAC.
- Review course selections to ensure minimum requirements are met.
- Understand what payments need to be made to USAC vs. their home university.
- Work through the USAC program pre-departure process together.
- Maintain awareness of study abroad experiences.
- Collaborate on major health emergencies.
- Let the student lead the communication.
- Anticipate challenges and solutions to culture shock.
- Have a successful study abroad experience!