Advising

How do I get started? 
Explore our "Getting Started" page to familiarize yourself with the study abroad process before scheduling an appointment. There you can also find our First Step video where we review how to search for a program, get approval from departments, financial aid, and more! 

Who should I meet with? 
If you have basic questions about the application process or don't know where to start, meet with a CGIS Peer Advisor! They can help you during walk-in hours or offer one-on-one First Step sessions  (email cgis@umich.edu to request). If you know which program you're interested in and have program-specific questions, meet with the CGIS Advisor for that program.

Who is the CGIS Advisor for each program? Where do I find CGIS Advisor portfolios? 
Advisor portfolios are available on the CGIS Staff Page. When scheduling an appointment, click on the program/country you're interested in and our system will select the appropriate advisor. 

Should I set up an appointment or email my advisor?
If you are just getting started or have many questions, an appointment is better. Appointments are 20-30 minute time slots. However, if you only have a few questions, consider sending an email. Advisor's emails are available on the staff page linked above.

Should I schedule a "General Appointment" or choose a country/topic?
Schedule a "General Appointment" for an overview of the study abroad process, including the timeline, financial aid, and application processes. If you have specific program questions, you will need to select the country/topic to meet with the appropriate advisor when scheduling.

How can I find out which requirements I can fulfill abroad? 
Find recommended programs and even pre-approved courses for many different studies on our Major/Minor Advising Pages (MAPs). Consult your LSA major/minor advisors to learn which requirements you can fulfill abroad. For more information about major/minor credit, distribution credit, and earning credit as a non-LSA student, please view our flowchart.

If I am interested in a non-CGIS program, who should I talk to? 
CGIS does not offer advising for students going abroad independently. You can find resources by clicking the "International Center" button at the bottom of the page. Students who go abroad independently transfer in their credit and may not have access to all their aid and scholarships. 

LSA students receive Michigan in-residence credit—not transfer credit—for participating in CGIS programs. Credits appear on your academic record and count towards your U-M degree. Grades received abroad will be factored into your U-M GPA in accordance with LSA policies.

Students are highly encouraged to meet with their academic advisors to determine whether specific courses can count towards distribution and/or major/minor requirements prior to studying abroad. CGIS Advisors cannot make these determinations.

• For distribution requirements: Speak with your general advisor (Newnan, CSP, Honors, RC)

• For major or minor requirements: Meet with your major or minor departmental advisor
  Some departments maintain a list of pre-approved coursework on our Major/Minor Advising Pages (MAPs).

Students can elect to take non-major/minor courses as pass/fail. Instructions on how to do so are provided on M-Compass through learning content available at the start of one’s program. Courses used to fulfill LSA's Language Requirement (e.g. Spanish 230 or 232) must be taken for a grade, not pass/fail. More about pass/fail can be found on this page.

Non-LSA students should contact their home school or college concerning the applicability of LSA courses, as well as policies relating to transfer vs. in-residence credits and grades.

What to expect:

Information Sessions: Advisors/Faculty will present on the program or topic with time for questions at the end. These sessions are great for a deeper dive to learn more.

Drop In (Group) Advising: Come with your questions about the program or application, and benefit by hearing the answers to questions from other students as well!

April 15-19 (Monday-Friday), Winter 2024 Information Sessions (full details at link)  | Location: Virtual on Zoom

We are offering several info sessions on the following topics hosted by CGIS Advisors & Peer Advisors. In addtiion to finding the Zoom links above, you can also register ahead of times on Sessions.

• Humanties & Social Sciences Abroad
• Intercultural First Step - Getting Started! 
• German Dept Info Session
• Programs in the UK
• Middle Eastern Studies Abroad
• Finessing Scholarships
• Spanish Language Abroad
• Programs in the Environment Abroad
• Getting Credit Abroad + Transfer Processes
• STEM Info Session
• English Taught Abroad

April 18 (Thursday), 12:00pm-1:00pm | Location: Virtual on Zoom (Add to Calendar)
DIS Scandinavia | Drop In Advising

Information session for students interested in applying to DIS Scandinavia in Sweden and Denmark. Hosted by CGIS Advisor Callie Rouse along with a DIS staff member.

April 18 (Thursday), 4:00pm-5:00pm | Location: Conference Room 255, Weiser Hall (Add to Calendar)
DIS Scandinavia | Drop In Advising

Drop-in advising for students interested in applying to DIS Scandinavia in Sweden and Denmark. Meet with DIS staff and CGIS advisor Callie Rouse.

Check back later for more sessions!

Our Program-Specific FAQs are a great resource to find answers to common questions for specific study abroad programs. Please continue to check back for more FAQs, and watch for updates to the content of these guides.

Note: Details shared in each FAQ only relate to the programs specified, and should not be assumed to apply for other programs not listed. If you have any questions about which program a FAQ applies to, please contact us at cgis@umich.edu.

• Advanced Language and Culture in Granada
• Advanced Language and Culture in Madrid
• Advanced Spanish in Buenos Aires
• DIS Summer in Scandinavia (Stockholm & Copenhagen)
• DIS Study in Scandinavia - Fall/Winter (Stockholm & Copenhagen)
• Dublin Summer Internship Program
• International Business & Humanities at UAB in Barcelona, Spain
• Language and Culture in Buenos Aires
• Neuroscience in Salamanca
• Semester-long Spanish-language Programs: How to Choose
• Semester Multidisciplinary Studies at UPF in Barcelona, Spain
• STEM Summer Research Program FAQ (STEM: Dublin, Glasgow, Granada, London)
• Summer Study Abroad in Athens
• Summer at Yonsei 2023
• University Study: Australia - University of Melbourne (UMELB)
• University Study: Australia - University of New South Wales (UNSW)
• University Study: Spain - Universidad Carlos III (UC3M)