Case Overseas Programs
Planning For The Junior Year Abroad
- Gather Information The JYA Resource Area in Sears 357 contains brochures, catalogs, videos, and applications for many study abroad opportunities. The resource area is staffed by student assistants according to a posted schedule. On your initial visit, talk with them about your interests and they will help you find relevant information. You should look for programs in which you will be able to attend regular university courses with and live among host country nationals. You are not limited to programs with U.S. sponsors/organizers, and may apply directly to institutions abroad. DO NOT remove any materials from the JYA Resource Area without checking first with a student assistant; some materials may be signed out, and there are some prospectuses available to students with a serious interest in a particular program or institution. The presence in the JYA Resource Area of literature about a program does not mean that the program is necessarily one approved for Case JYA, and vice-versa.
- Decide Where to Apply After considering the information you've gathered, make an appointment to meet with Ms. Anderson in Sears Building 357 (368-2928) to discuss the program(s) and/or institution(s) of interest to you. Be aware of application deadlines: for fall or full year programs they are usually between January 15 and April 1; for spring programs they are usually between September 22 and November 1.
- Complete Applications Complete a Case Junior Year Abroad application, the application for the program/institution to which you are applying overseas, and, in consultation with your advisor, the Case JYA Course Approval form. This will require that you consult in some detail with your major advisor(s) to map out the courses you may need to take for your major during the JYA and on your return, and to be certain that you will meet graduation requirements. Pay particular attention to application deadlines, and be sure that you solicit any necessary faculty recommendations well in advance of the deadline. The Junior Year Abroad Office will obtain an official transcript from the Registrar's Office for inclusion with the program or foreign institution application and will forward your application to the program/institution. Any application fees are your responsibility. Check for availability of scholarships from program/institution to which you are applying and if available, apply for them.
- Apply for Financial Aid If you are receiving or may be eligible for need-based financial aid at Case, file your F.A.F. as early as possible after January 1; indicate Case as your college of attendance for the next year, even though you may be studying abroad.
- Provide Program Cost List to Financial Aid Office As soon as your are admitted to at program or institution abroad, it will be your responsibility to let the Office of Financial Aid know the costs of your JYA program (the costs should be broken down to show tuition as an item separate from room, board, transportation, etc.), because an award cannot be made until the Office of Financial Aid knows what costs to base it on.
- Get Ready for Departure Apply for a passport and any necessary visas. If participation in JYA or an exchange program has been confirmed, preschedule for JRAB 001 or EXCH 001 for the Fall semester. Read carefully all information you receive from the program in which you're participating and be aware of and meet deadlines (housing application deadlines can be early, so watch out for them!). Make travel arrangements. Check to be sure your medical insurance coverage will be adequate. Have medical and dental checkups. Study the culture and history of the country to which you're going; if it's a non-English speaking country, brush up on your language skills!
- Bon Voyage! Keep in touch and as soon as you know your overseas address, send it to Ms. Anderson.
