At SAI we view each student as an individual with his or her own academic, professional and personal goals and objectives. We view it as our responsibility to provide each student with the environment and tools to reach their goals through study abroad. At each step in the process of study abroad, SAI holds true to its mission for providing all students with a cultural immersion learning experience that will allow them to develop a sense of global awareness and responsibility. Below is a simple step-by-step guide to applying to SAI, with some key steps outlined.
The Decision Process
Research SAI locations and programs. Ask questions!
Speak with one of our Admissions Counselors about any of the following questions/priorities:
- Why do you want to study abroad?
- What are your academic, professional and personal goals?
- Do you have a particular language interest or experience?
- What is your major/minor? Do you have any academic requirements to consider before studying abroad?
- Are there any special situations that need to be considered in planning your program abroad (i.e. academic requirements, sports, job, family, disability)?
- Where do you want to live: in a family homestay or student apartment? By the beach or in a big city? Do you want to be able to walk everywhere or do you like the idea of a more urban setting with public transportation?
- What concerns do you have, if any, about studying abroad?
- Read SAI Blog
How to contact SAI
- Email: admissions@saiprograms.com
- LiveChat
- Tel: 800.655.8965
- Text: 707-697-1056
Meet with your study abroad advisor at your home school (if applicable)
- Is SAI an affiliated program at your school? What does this mean for you? Even if SAI is not an affiliate program your school will nearly always still allow you to attend. How is this done?
- Discuss the courses you wish to take while abroad. Look at SAI course schedules (found under each SAI school)
- Discuss credit transfer approval. What will you need to provide your home school to ensure proper credit transfer?
- Discuss any important due dates. Your home school may have a study abroad application deadline that differs from SAI deadlines.
Research financing options
- Research program costs:
- SAI program costs
- Home school costs (some schools have additional fees).
- Consider additional costs while abroad by browsing our budgets on each program page.
- Meet with your study abroad and/or financial aid advisor
- Understand your school’s billing procedures for students studying abroad.
- Discuss financial aid options (loans, federal aid, etc.), availability and processing.
- Will your current financial aid (if applicable) transfer to fund your study abroad program? If so, what does that process involve?
- Pro tip: you can defer any fees that will be covered by financial aid.
- Research applicable scholarships and take note of application deadlines
- SAI Discounts. Are you eligible to receive any discounts through SAI?
Attend a Study Abroad Fair
Check with your study abroad office for the next study abroad fair hosted on your campus.
Learn from Alumni
- Read blogs from SAI alumni
- Check our study abroad review websites
- Contact alumni (contact Admissions office for information)
You Have Decided to Apply
Apply for a passport if you do not have one already. Pro tip: pay to expedite your passport as processing times are very long right now.
Meet with your study abroad advisor at your home university (if applicable)
- Gain approval to study abroad
- Discuss credit transfer eligibility. Present the course descriptions and or/syllabi to your advisor for approval. Contact your Admissions Counselor for these.
- Fill out any forms needed from your home school
Complete the SAI application & submit supporting documents to admissions@saiprograms.com.
Pay the SAI application fee here. Once SAI has received your completed application, your Admissions Counselor will review it. Upon acceptance, you will receive an email of acceptance detailing the process of confirming your enrollment in the program.
Get Accepted. Your Admissions Counselor will review your complete application and send you an email of acceptance.
You Have Been Accepted
You have received your email of acceptance from your Admissions Counselor. The email contains instructions for confirming your enrollment.
Submit payments. Submit specific payments outlined in your email.
Financial aid processing
- Will you be using financial aid to fund your study abroad program?
- If so, print and fill out the financial aid documents
Once enrolled in the program, you will begin to communicate more frequently with your Admissions Counselor as you begin to prepare for your upcoming program abroad. You will receive detailed information about obtaining your Student Visa (if applicable), registering for courses and housing, securing your airfare and much more!