Ideally, you should begin planning for your study abroad experience at least one year before you depart. Program application deadlines vary greatly, and applications for entry visas may take a long time to process.

Before you apply:

• Make an appointment with your academic advisor. You should inform your advisor of your plans to study abroad as soon as possible, so that you can work together to ensure that your program fits into your academic plan.
• Review your chosen program online and make note of any credit evaluation needs.
• Make sure your address and contact information is up to date at buckeyelink.osu.edu. The address and phone number fields on the study abroad application will auto-fill with the information on file here, and all mailings pertaining to your study abroad program will be sent to this address as well.
• Download and save a copy of your Ohio State advising report, as you will need to submit this with your application.
• Write a personal statement to be submitted with your application. This one page statement should include information about you and your academic interests and goals, and should explain the reasoning behind your wish to study abroad.
• Determine whether your chosen study abroad program requires a recommendation by reviewing the program online or contacting your study abroad coordinator. This recommendation, due no later than the application deadline, should come from a professor or graduate teaching associate who has taught you in the classroom and is able to comment on your qualifications for study abroad. To obtain a recommendation:
  • Notify your chosen professor or GTA that you will be requesting a recommendation
  • Discuss the deadline for the recommendation with your professor/GTA, as well as the method by which he or she is to respond (all recommendations must be submitted to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. ; no hard copies will be accepted)
  • Send your professor/GTA the Academic Recommendation Invitation
• Apply for your passport, if you have not done so already. A valid passport is required for all Ohio State study abroad programs.