While you’re away

Extending your time abroad

Some students scheduled to study or research abroad for one term find that one term just isn’t enough. By the time they start to develop a routine and feel like they fit in, the semester is almost over.

If your agreement permits, you may be able to extend your international learning experience. You need to contact your Go Global advisor first and ask for permission. If there is space for extension in your agreement, your Go Global advisor will contact your host university and see if your request can be accommodated.

If you are extending your time abroad, you need to take care of the following:

  • Extend your health insurance coverage. Are you able to extend your health insurance from outside of Canada?
  • Contact the consulate for the country in which you are studying to confirm documents you will need to extend your study time.
  • Discuss the courses you want to take during your second term with your UBC program advisor.
  • De-register for your UBC courses and register for courses at your host university.
  • If you are on student loans, notify Student Services that your student status has changed.
  • Make appropriate housing arrangements and cancel any housing arrangements you may have made at UBC.
  • Meet with the staff at your host university’s exchange office to ensure that you have met all your host university’s requirements.

Shortening your experience

If you intend to reduce your study or research abroad experience from two semesters to one, notify your Go Global advisor. Go Global will then let your host university know.

If you are reducing your time abroad from two semesters to one, you will also need to take care of the following:

  • Change the status of your health insurance coverage. Can you cancel your travel insurance and get a refund?
  • Discuss the courses you want to take at UBC with your departmental articulator. Courses may already be filling up, so be sure to register as soon as you know that you will be returning.
  • De-register in courses at your host university.
  • If you are on student loans, notify Student Services that your student status has changed. If you were scheduled to receive the Go Global Award for your second term, this will be removed.
  • Make appropriate housing arrangements and cancel any arrangements you made in your host country.

Troubleshooting while abroad

If you have any questions or concerns, you can always contact your Go Global advisor. However, it may be more efficient for you to contact someone at your host university. The staff at your host university’s exchange office are equipped to handle any issues you may face.

Registering for UBC courses while abroad

Don’t forget to pay your registration deposit and register for courses for your return term at UBC. You can make these transactions directly on the Student Service Centre (SSC). You will receive a reminder email with information on your registration date.

Eligibility for scholarships after your exchange

Students enrolled in an exchange program can be eligible for scholarships in their upcoming period of study. For further information on future scholarship eligibility, contact Student Services.