Spring 2023 Pre-Departure Orientation

Note: This event is for departing Spring 2023 study abroad participants only. The hosting of and attendance to this event does not guarantee all Spring 2023 programs will run. Programs and program locations are always subject to continuous health and safety review. 

The Office for Study Abroad (OSA) believes that proper planning and expectation setting are needed for a successful semester abroad. The OSA is committed to helping GW students make meaningful academic connections abroad through our Pre-Departure Orientation (PDO) content. PDO provides a framework to help students understand the diverse cultures and communities they will be entering while also addressing logistical concerns needed to ensure a smooth transition abroad.  

The main part of orientation will consist of a live mandatory event covering a series of topics (below) for students planning to study abroad in the next semester (Spring 2023). These are topics that you will need to be familiar with to have a safe and successful study abroad experience. The mandatory informational session topics include:

1. Health & Safety
2. Next Steps 
3. Withdrawals and Deferrals 
4. Billing & Preparing your Finances

Following this mandatory portion, we welcome participants to join us at the Bon Voyage Social where study abroad returnees from different regions around the world will be chatting about their experiences and sharing academic and cultural tips for adjusting to life abroad. 

Students will be required to attend the full information session and are strongly encouraged to attend the entire event in full barring any class conflicts in order to study abroad next semester. Students who may have class overlapping a portion of the event time, but not the whole event time, should plan to attend any portion of the event prior to or proceeding their class. Students unable to attend the event in its entirety must still RSVP indicating such to seek approval for their absence and further details about next steps to proceed with study abroad plans. Students should plan to attend this event if you have yet to be accepted into your program of choice.

Upon conclusion of the event, students will gain access to the "Pre-Departure Orientation: Logistics" on GW Passport. Students must complete the quizzes and survey available within this application in order to continue with the commitment process for study abroad. 

Registration Required