The process of preparing for a time off-campus goes beyond just packing. There are many important logistical things to be taken care of before you depart. Here are the most important:

REQUIRED TO DO:

Confirm your leave and complete all required steps on Summit, if you haven't already. This is mandatory, and needs to be done by May 1 for Fall semesters away, and by December 1 for Spring semesters away. You do this once you have been accepted to your program and are committed to attending the program; it then changes your pending leave to a confirmed/final leave for the blocks you indicated on your CC Internal Application or petition. To confirm your leave, log in to Summit, and look for the red button that asks you to Record Decision, and then selecting either "Confirm" if you are participating as planned, or "Cancel" if you have decided to no longer study abroad, or were not accepted.
- Single CC blocks away have different confirmation/commitment and withdrawal deadlines in Summit, those can be explored in depth here for Blocks Away during the academic year, and here for CC Summer Blocks.
If you will be taking classes that are not taught by CC (i.e., through another university or program), make sure you have entered all of the courses you are planning to take while off-campus into the "Course Approval Form" section of your CC Internal Application (or Petition) in Summit. You can add any new classes or remove ones you are no longer taking -- what is listed in Summit should exactly match what you are taking abroad or away (course numbers, course titles, and the number of units or credits for each class). This is the only sure way to know what you will be getting credit for! Please carefully read the guide to credit transfer at CC and watch the helpful video that walks you through this step-by-step.
How do my grades count? This is the most common email question we get from abroad. Make sure you read the section on "Grade Transfer Policies" at this link!
Make sure you and your parents (or responsible financial party) know how billing and financial aid will work for your off-campus study. If you are doing a semester or year away, full financial policies are listed here for semester and year study away; please share this link also with anyone who helps pay for your education and who would like to know how these things will work.
- AY Blocks Away billing info is here, CC Summer billing info is here.

Booking Your Flights

Students participating in a CC Semester (4 blocks, led by CC) or a CC Half-Semester (2 blocks, led by CC) program abroad will have their round-trip airfare covered by the program, and specific information on how to book through our partnership with ScholarTrip will be sent directly to you by email when that booking process opens up for your group.

Student participating in a single CC Block Away during the academic year or a CC Summer program away are responsible to purchase their airfare on their own. Students participating in most semester partner programs (through another university or third-party organization) will also purchase airfare on their own in almost all cases; check with your specific program for any details on this or exceptions.

In all cases, all students are strongly encouraged to book travel insurance on your flights, to protect you from any unexpected cancellations or need to withdraw from the program, to preserve some or all of the value of your ticket from loss.

AIRFARE BOOKING BY DEPOSIT DOWN 

If you are taking part in a program where airfare is your independent responsibility to purchase, and you receive need-based financial aid, we understand that it is often best to purchase airfare for your study abroad program earlier than the funds from your anticipated financial aid are available.  If you are unable to purchase airfare without the support of the financial aid awarded, we may we have a solution for you. 

CC has an arrangement with ScholarTrip, a travel organization focusing on student travel which CC uses for our group bookings. In many cases, ScholarTrip can offer a booking that requires only a deposit up front and then the remainder of payment close to the date of departure, after the aid has been disbursed.  This is not possible with all airlines, but with many of the larger carriers there are seats that can be purchased using the deposit system.

If you wish to use the ScholarTrip deposit program, please reach out to CC Global Education for the information on how to proceed!

Video on Travel basics & Study Abroad, from Director of Global Education, Dr. Allen Bertsche

Also think about...

Contacting International SOS for a personalized predeparture medical consultation by phone if you are bringing medication, have health conditions, or need support/referrals for your time abroad

Prep List (from studentsabroad.state.gov)

Packing List (from studentsabroad.state.gov)

Voting Overseas!

Insurance: For You and Your Stuff

Where are you going to live when you come back to CC?

Mailing Services Temporary Mail Forwarding Info

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