A caravan of camels in the desert

Accepted? Congratulations! Please read below to find out what your next steps are; each step will help you to be thoroughly prepared for your intercultural experience.

All accepted students will be notified of their study abroad approval and are required to attend a 30-min action items meeting.

The IPO online portal provides very detailed instructions on how to submit your pre-departure forms as well as the deadlines. All committing students are expected to read them carefully. Please view the sample acceptance letter with important links and further instructions.

LATE FEE: Any untimely submission will incur a $125 late fee, and a further delay until your departure date will incur a $250 fee.

SENIORS: If you will be abroad in the fall semester of your senior year, complete your Application for Graduation before going abroad.

Work closely with your program/provider to finish your visa procedures, housing preference surveys, and other pre-departure requirements.

All students are required to attend the Oxy orientation. Please view the handbook below to understand some of the topics that may be covered.

Study Abroad Handbook

Factsheet for Study Abroad Spring 2025

In order to receive meal/housing stipends, please refer to following instructions to set up eRefunds through eBill

  • Login to your eBill via myOxy > Student Services tab > My eBill
  • Click on Refunds on the top menu bar. 

International Programs Office (IPO) is committed to supporting your needs to have successful experiences abroad. Please respond with your honest answers on Health Report, so the IPO can collaborate with your program provider to accommodate you. Please see below for available on-campus and off-campus resources. Please contact us with any questions or concerns.

All students traveling abroad will carry adequate medical insurance for the duration of the experience. This applies to travel for any activity or purpose pursuant to the participant's status as a student at Occidental College or arising from their relationship with the College and its employees, programs, and resources. Please see the College insurance plan page for an explanation of how the College plan works during study abroad.

Purposes and activities include but are not limited to:

  1. the study, internship, independent study or research abroad.
  2. funding from any College source including but not limited to Young, URC, IPO, Richter, academic, student affairs or administrative departments, individual faculty grants, ASOC, club fundraising, etc.
  3. any international placement, referral, guidance or mentoring by Occidental College faculty or staff either formal or informal.

Required insurance will include elements essential for student travelers.

  • Sickness and accident insurance: that covers "everyday" illnesses (strep, flu, rashes, etc.). Not just emergencies.
  • Hospitalization: pre-certification of payments and a high benefit amount
  • Family "Bed-side": pays for transportation and hotel for family members when the insured is in the hospital for an extended period.
  • Medical Evacuation: if the condition cannot be treated or the student is too ill to continue the program
  • Repatriation of Remains: returns mortal remains to the United States.
Contact International Programs
McKinnon Center for Global Affairs, Johnson 102