Frequently Asked Questions

  • Q.

    Where will I live?

  • A.

    Your accommodations are almost always on-campus, with international students and students from the host country in your halls of residence. You will be in close proximity to the Interstudy students on your program, who will usually be housed in the same building. All Interstudy students have single rooms (with a few exceptions) in self-catering residences.

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  • Q.

    Are there travel opportunities?

  • A.

    Yes! Interstudy in Britain and Ireland coordinate separate weekend trips. In the past these have included a trip to London, Bath and Central England, visiting sites such as Stratford-Upon-Avon where Shakespeare was born, the ancient Roman baths, Stonehenge and in Ireland, a weekend in Connemarra. There are also many opportunities for students to travel on the weekends and in the spring; students may opt to Eurail around Europe during the break!

    Interstudy in South Africa coordinates one weekend trip. Students have journeyed to many National Parks and Nature Reserves, where wildflowers put on a stunning display and animals roam. They have quietly viewed an abundance of wildlife from rare Cape mountain zebra, to hungry hippos and crocodiles. They have hiked, cycled, lazed on white sandy beaches and swam in crystal waters. They have trekked towering vegetated dunes in the St Lucia wetland nature reserve, then camped and cooked together under another unforgettable African sunset!

    The Interstudy trips offer a wonderful chance to network and get to know fellow Interstudy participants in the beginning of the semester. You may even end up visiting your new friends during your own out of classroom travels!

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  • Q.

    Are meals included?

  • A.

    All international students are generally in self-catering residences. This means you will not be on a meal plan, but will have access to a shared kitchen on your floor. Since you will be buying groceries independently or grabbing a fast food meal on campus, Interstudy has an optional meal option which can be added to your overall Program Fees. This allowance is automatically deposited into your bank account for spending money. This will not cover all your meals however, but will assist you in budgeting cost for dietary needs.

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  • Q.

    Can I get financial aid?

  • A.

    Yes! All federal financial aid (Stafford Loans, Pell Grants, etc.) will transfer towards your semester or year abroad with Interstudy. Some State Grants or scholarships through your home college, however, may not transfer depending on the State or College. If you wish to apply financial aid to your Interstudy program, check out the Financial Aid section of this website. We strongly encourage you to visit your Study Abroad Office and your Financial Aid Office on campus, since you must apply for financial aid through your campus.

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  • Q.

    Does Interstudy provide scholarships?

  • A.

    Yes! The deadline to apply for the Fall Semester is May 1st and for the Spring Semester, November 1st. Please keep in mind scholarships range from $500-$1000 and are based on need and merit. More Information Here

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  • Q.

    How much money will I need?

  • A.

    This depends largely on your own personal spending habits. Interstudy currently figures student personal spending to be between $150-$170 per week for Europe (10-15% higher for London) and $40-$110 per week for South Africa. You may be able to manage well within this budget if you are prepared to live more frugally. The sums quoted are for term-time living expenses, so you will need to increase this sum a bit for periods of vacation time, since meal money is not provided during this time.

    A significant portion of your money will most likely be spent on travel. No matter where you plan on studying abroad you are going to want to travel, and most likely, you will pick up some tips on the way as to how to do it cost effectively. We recommend you pick up a Let's Go, or Lonely Planet guide for any area you want to travel to. These guidebooks will give you some notion of how to travel cheaply--embellish from there.

    Unlike the North American system, students in most other countries are not expected to purchase all of their textbooks for their courses. Students generally rely on borrowing books from the libraries on campus, or buying secondhand copies. Usually books are not a significant cost.

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  • Q.

    What do you mean by banking services?

  • A.

    Interstudy sets up a bank account for you! Yes, we do it for you. You do not have to labor through this procedure on your own. Why is this so special? Because this account will be active before your arrival and you or your family can transfer funds, free of charge, into your account abroad. Interstudy students or family members, can simply write a check made out to Interstudy, for whatever amount you want in your account abroad. Then send this check with a short note to the Interstudy office in the US and we will make the transaction for you, with no wiring fees (There is a nominal fee charged by the bank, usually $10). It's that simple! Your family can get money to you while you are abroad easily and quickly.

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  • Q.

    In what form should I take my money abroad?

  • A.

    Since Interstudy sets up a bank account in advance for you, we recommend that you transfer the majority of your money to that account ahead of time so it is available for you when you arrive. That way you don't have to worry about carrying too much cash, or travelers checks that can be lost along the way.

    We recommend that you do bring some cash that you can change into local currency at the airport when you arrive, enough to cover a couple of meals and transportation to wherever you are going. To bring much more than this in cash is not a great idea as the exchange rate at airports is typically not the best. Usually $150 in cash is more than enough. Also, bring around two weeks worth of money in travelers checks. We recommend this since in some cases you will not have the debit card for your bank account immediately upon your arrival and you can cash travelers checks at a bank without maintaining an account there.

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  • Q.

    Will I be with other Interstudy students?

  • A.

    Interstudy students are given a private on-site orientation once they arrive on campus. This allows all of the Interstudy students to meet each other and exchange information while getting familiar with their surroundings. For our Britain and Ireland programs, students are met by Interstudy staff for the first time on-campus, for our South African programs students are met at the airport and shuttled to campus.

    Interstudy students are integrated as much as possible into the fabric of the University they wish to attend, however, they are accompanied in almost all cases by fellow Interstudy students.

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  • Q.

    Will I have a phone?

  • A.

    You will be provided with a cell phone for the duration of your program. This is provided free of charge, however, you will be responsible for paying your phone bills.

    Although some accommodations have phones in the rooms, the majority do not. American cell phones generally do not work abroad, and although communication systems on-campuses have improved over the years, it is still common to have only one phone for an entire hall. The Interstudy phones send and receive calls and have voicemail capabilities.

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  • Q.

    Will I have Internet access?

  • A.

    Although some accommodations have Internet access in the rooms, the majority do not. You will have access to the computers on campus along with a University email account. Internet access is widely available with pay-as-you-go plans.

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  • Q.

    Will I have an orientation?

  • A.

    All Interstudy programs include an on-site orientation. A representative from Interstudy meets with all students on-campus for a general orientation session. During this session students are provided with an Interstudy Arrival Booklet that is a continuation of the Orientation Handbook. It gives students more information on the specifics of the program, travel, study tips and a selection of forms for completion. Orientations vary from campus to campus but the general outline of topics includes: Welcome and Introduction, Course Matters, Excursion Weekend, Telecommunications, Banking, Campus Tour, Housing, and Health and Safety.

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  • Q.

    Can I work abroad?

  • A.

    Interstudy does not recommend that you work during your time abroad. You will want to have time to devote to your studies, to traveling, to making friends.... students find it is difficult when a group of new friends decides to take a weekend trip somewhere exciting and they can't go along because they are stuck on campus working.

    There are some opportunities for students who decide they want to work in Europe, however. The final decision is up to you. For Britain and Ireland you will want to check out www.bunac.com. Working in South Africa is not permitted with Student Visa status.

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  • Q.

    How do I get my ISIC card?

  • A.

    The ISIC Card (International Student Identification Card) is included in the Interstudy program fees. The card will be sent in your final packet prior to departure to South Africa, Ireland or Britain.

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  • Q.

    Do I have to book my flight?

  • A.

    Interstudy does not include the flight for the Britain or Ireland programs, but we do assist in booking it. We cover the cost of the ISIC (International Student ID Card) Card, which allows you to buy tickets at a discounted rate. It also allows you to qualify for discounted rates on hotel, air, and rail tickets.

    For the South Africa programs, the flight is also not included. However, we do offer group flight booking. For all program locations, Interstudy strongly encourages students to book their flights through STA Travel, a student discounted travel agency.  We work closely with the Cambridge, MA office of STA Travel to arrange group flight options. 

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  • Q.

    Do I need a visa? A Passport?

  • A.

    Britain, Ireland
    All students will need to get a passport. A student visa is stamped in your passport when you go through Immigration on entering the Port of Entry, so you don't have to apply for one before you travel. To qualify for a student visa you must be classed as a full-time student. Interstudy will provide an Authorization Form prior to departure, which confirms your full-time status.

    South Africa
    All students will need to get a passport. Students must also have two (2) blank (unstamped) visa pages in their passport in order to enter the country. Any foreign student who wishes to enter South Africa should be in possession of a visa (also referred to as legal Study Permit). Interstudy sends you a visa application pack and processes your visa for you. More information about required documents can be found here. 

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  • Q.

    Should I get insurance?

  • A.

    As part of your program fee, you will receive full international medical insurance. The insurance is reimbursement-based insurance and does not include dental insurance. The Interstudy provided ISIC card also includes coverage for emergency medical evacuation.

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  • Q.

    Should I bring my computer?

  • A.

    Most program locations have extensive computer facilities available for your use. Few universities operate 24 hours a day and dependent on your work habits a laptop may be beneficial. Do not expect your residence to have Internet availability, however. Many students bring a laptop but it is not required. Some issues to think about in making your decision include:

    Compatibility. You will have to buy a transformer from a computer dealer or travel store--make sure it is a quality one, preferably the one recommended by the computer manufacturer. Laptops are sensitive and can be easily damaged by too much, too little, or improper amounts of power.

    Security. You will always have a secure place to keep your personal items, however, a laptop does provide additional incentive for any would-be thief. How worried will you be about your laptop getting stolen, and how much of a pain will it be to ensure that it is locked up at all times?

    Insurance. Interstudy recommends you purchase additional insurance to cover your laptop if you wish to bring it along. Is having your laptop along worth the additional cost?

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  • Q.

    What if I lose my passport and/or valuables?

  • A.

    Despite taking all the necessary precautionary measures while away, you may be faced with the unexpected loss of valuables such as your passport, bankcards, cell phone, camera etc. It is very important that you have adequate insurance coverage for both medical needs as well as personal belongings. Please check that your insurance covers you in whichever country you visit and for anything you deem as important and of value.

    Loss of Passport: Upon discovering that your passport has either been lost or stolen, you will need to report the loss to the nearest U.S. consulate. Details and phone numbers for this location can be found in your Arrival Orientation booklet. Also call your assigned Interstudy contact so we can be of assistance. To have a replacement passport issued to you, you will need to have some form of ID with you and two passport photographs. Please make several copies of your passport and keep them safe, it may be a good idea for someone in the US to keep a copy and for a copy to be placed in your student file with Interstudy. After you have obtained your replacement passport, contact Interstudy so we can assist in obtaining for you a new study visa where appropriate.

    Loss of Bank Cards: Report the loss to the Police and then call the relevant banks to place a stop on your cards and request replacement cards be sent to you as soon as possible. We recommend that you make a note of the numbers to call in the event of losing your cards, this number is usually on the back of the card.

    Loss of Cell Phone: Report the loss immediately to the Police to obtain a case number. Call the service provider and give them your cell phone number. This will enable them to put a block on the cell phone to stop it's use. Contact Interstudy to report the loss and to obtain a replacement phone.

    Loss of Valuables: Report the loss immediately to the Police and obtain a case number. This will enable you to claim on your insurance. It would be useful if you had the make, model (serial number if relevant) and date of purchase written somewhere safe. This information should assist the insurance company in processing your claim quickly.

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  • Q.

    What should I pack?

  • A.

    There is always a tendency to bring more than you actually need, so be ruthless - once packed, take a second look and try to reduce your load by at least a quarter. You can always buy things once you arrive, and usually the things you purchase in the shops 'on location' are better suited to life where you are anyway! This is especially the case for things such as curling irons and hair dryers. There are certainly electrical converters but items such as these, which produce heat generally, do not work very well on a converter and are best purchased in the country in which you are studying. Always pack for a variety of weather conditions, but do pay attention to the season in which you are to be studying abroad. More details on what kinds of clothing to pack are available in the Orientation Handbook.

    It is easier, cheaper, and safer to bring your entire luggage with you. If you are contemplating shipping items ahead of you, you are thinking of bringing WAY TOO MUCH. It is better to invest in a good quality backpack rather than lugging bulky luggage around. And yes, you should be able to carry/pull all of your luggage yourself, that's another good 'reality' check. Also remember to check the maximum luggage allowance for your airline, it used to typically be two pieces up to 50lbs. each whose three dimensions, when added together do not exceed 106 inches. But with all the new security measures in effect, it seems each airline is adopting it's own policy. Check with your airline if you have any doubts or concerns about the luggage you intend to take!

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  • Q.

    What courses am I required to take?

  • A.

    There are no courses you are required to take by Interstudy on any of our programs.

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  • Q.

    What courses do I have the option to take?

  • A.

    We at Interstudy pride ourselves on our open academic policy. It allows for our students to take any of the courses in the undergraduate catalogs offered by the University where the student plans on studying. Interstudy students have a massive amount of course choice and typically have no problem getting courses in their major field of study that transfer back to their home institution. Interstudy students are subject to the pre-requisite and time-table restrictions of the University, but with Interstudy's pre-registration system, and carefully selected backup course choices, these restrictions are seldom an issue.

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  • Q.

    Can I change the courses on my application?

  • A.

    Yes! Interstudy will assist you to choose the courses you wish to take throughout the entire application process, even after you have been admitted and up until your departure. Courses that are on offer are subject to change by the University overseas and Interstudy will keep you posted on any course updates. Although nothing is guaranteed until final registration, we will help make this process a smooth one for you and your advisors.

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  • Q.

    What is the minimum/maximum course load allowed?

  • A.

    Interstudy requires that you enroll in a minimum of 12 credits abroad, a full time load, but you should register for 14-16 credits hours, unless approved by your home college to take less. Your home college may require that you enroll for more credits than this; if that is the case you must follow their minimum rather than ours. The maximum numbers of credits you can enroll for is determined by your home college and the program you attend, there is no maximum imposed by Interstudy.

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  • Q.

    Will my credits transfer back to my home college?

  • A.

    Yes! Interstudy will assist you in gaining approval for the courses in which you wish to enroll to stay on track for graduation. We are in the business of enhancing your education, not prolonging it. If you do not find the courses you are looking for, you may contact us for course descriptions or syllabi, which will aid you and your advisor in assessing the contents of the courses. For more information contact our office.

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  • Q.

    Will I graduate on time?

  • A.

    This, of course, is largely up to you. Interstudy will assist you in gaining proper approval for the courses in which you wish to enroll while abroad on to stay on track for graduation. Course descriptions and syllabi are available on our web site under Courses Available. The descriptions will aid you and your advisor in assessing the content of the course and insuring transfer.

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  • Q.

    How do I apply?

  • A.

    Apply to an Interstudy program using the Apply Now feature on the upper right hand corner of this page. 

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  • Q.

    When is the deadline to apply?

  • A.

    Deadlines vary by program. See the program page on this website for the program that you are interested in.

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  • Q.

    What is the minimum GPA requirement for the programs?

  • A.

    Cumulative GPA requirements for admission to the Interstudy program are normally in the "B" range, a 3.0 on a 4.0 grading scale. However, some programs are a bit more flexible Also note that some programs are very competitive, such as the University of St. Andrews, the University College Dublin and Trinity College Dublin. Those programs do require a solid B+ (3.3 on a 4.0 scale) cumulative GPA or higher.

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  • Q.

    Can I study at two campuses in one year?

  • A.

    Yes! If you are applying for a full-year Interstudy program, you have the option of changing campus locations either within a country or region (i.e. fall semester in London and spring semester in Ireland), or you may even change continents all together (i.e. fall in London and spring in South Africa). Students who choose this option will receive a $1000 discount off their second semester of study. If you are interested in the Year-Long Two Campus Option, please call our office at 800.663.1999 or email studyabroad@Interstudy.org.

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