Accepted Visiting Students

Welcome to All Non-St. John's Students!

We're excited to have you on board, and look forward to getting to know you.

Below you'll find the steps we'd like you to take to prepare for your time abroad. Please read these instructions carefully and make plans to complete each item by the deadline.

If you have any questions or concerns throughout the process, we’re here to help. We recommend you familiarize yourself with the website first so that we can better assist you, but you should always feel free to contact us.

1. Get a passport. (Suggested Deadline: October 15)

  • If you already have a passport, make sure it does not expire before November 5, 2012. (6 months after your expected return from study abroad.) Please submit a copy to the Office of Global Studies.
  • If you do not have a passport, please visit the State Department's website for details on obtaining your passport.

2. Begin applying for your visa. (Suggested Deadline: ASAP)
To check if your program requires a visa, please click on the appropriate program for more information:

3. Return required forms. (Deadline: December 7, 2011)

  • Make sure to print all of the required forms and submit them no later than December 7, 2011.
  • These forms are mandatory, and failure to submit them may jeopardize your ability to participate in the program.

    Additional required forms include:
  • Emergency Contact Form
    This form to provides us with contact information for your family or emergency contact person in case of an emergency abroad. St. John’s students update their information online via our student information system, but we need you to complete this form for us.
  • Immunization Records
    This form provides us with a copy of your immunization records. This is a NY State requirement, and one that we must have from you before you depart for your program.
  • Meningitis Information and Waiver
    This form provides you with information on Meningococcal meningitis.  The third and final page is a waiver that you must complete indicating that you have either had the immunization or have read the information and still do not want the immunization.  This is a NY State requirement, and one that we must have from you before you depart for your program.
  • Transcript Request Form
    The Transcript Request Form authorizes St. John's University to release your transcript to your home institution. This form is necessary in order for your grades to be transferred back to your home school.

4. Submit Photo for Your ID Card (Deadline: December 7, 2011)

  • Our campuses abroad have a modern electronic key-card system; each student requires a St. John’s ID card to access the building. As part of the security system we need to have a digital photograph of each student for our database to create the ID card. In order to have the ID card waiting for you upon arrival, we will need you to submit a digital picture to us.
  • The picture should be against a solid background (preferably white or blue). A passport-style picture works well. Please also make sure that you are not wearing glasses or a hat (this is a requirement for the picture to be valid). There's no set size requirement, but anything less than 1MB should work fine (e.g. 400x400 or 640x480). You can submit the photo to our office via email at globalstudies@stjohns.edu.

5. Look up the booklist, course descriptions and academic calendar for your program.

6. Attend mandatory pre-departure orientation.

  • Pre-Departure Orientation is mandatory for all program participants. Online orientations are available for students who are unable to travel to St. John's.
  • Orientation Details


7. Research Life Abroad. (Deadline: any point prior to departure)

  • You're about to take advantage of a wonderful opportunity, but in addition to all the fantastic academic, cultural and personal experiences you'll have, study abroad comes with challenges. In addition to learning about all the places you plan to visit, be sure to research culture shock and anything else of importance to you, such as race, gender, religion, diet or dating abroad. You'll be better prepared when you arrive and better able to enjoy the high points while meeting difficulties as they arise.