Preparing and completing your summer abroad

Each summer we have a range of funding available to support you with your international experience. Funding is usually announced in the Autumn term and can be found on our summer funding opportunities page. You will also be prompted to apply for the University of Essex Travel Insurance. More information can be found about this insurance on our funding opportunities page.

Funding should not be expected to cover all of yours costs and we recommend saving well ahead of your summer abroad. You will need to consider programme fees, travel costs, visas, medical costs, personal travel insurance, accommodation costs and other expenses. Each summer we do have a range of programmes on offer and most students can usually find something to suit their budget!

You can also use CLICK crowdfunding to support you to crowdfund for your summer abroad. 

Usually, your host organisation will be able to advise you if you need a visa for your summer abroad programme. This can depend on which passport you hold, how long you will be abroad for and the immigration requirements of that country. Essex Abroad are not able to offer detailed visa advice and this should form part of your research for your summer abroad.

Applications for Schengen visas

For the past couple of years, there have been delays in processing Schengen visa applications (visas needed for non EU nationals to enter a country in the Schengen area for up to 90 days). Therefore, if you are a non EU national, we may advise against you taking part in a programme that requires such a visa.

Studying at University of Essex on a student visa?

If you are studying at the University of Essex on a student visa, you should also reach out to the International Services Team to gain their advice. Usually, Essex can support your summer programme as a "supplementary study" but you should check with the team who can give the best advice for your situation. To contact the team complete the online immigration enquiry form.

Some summer programmes may require you to get a DBS check. This is usually relevant for programmes where you might work with or support children or vulnerable people. The University of Essex only provides DBS checks for programmes that are part of your academic studies. Therefore, please use the government website (link below) to arrange your DBS check. Most programmes only require a basic check, but you should ask your programme provider to be certain.

Visit the government website for DBS checks

Hopefully you have already confirmed that your summer abroad does not clash with any deadlines or exams. If this is the case, please discuss with your academic department to see what is possible. If there is a clash, then your Essex studies should always be prioritised.

For PG students, you are usually expected to be available and attending any teaching or supervision over the summer and you must ensure that your department support you to be away from campus during your summer programme. You should have already confirmed this during the application phase, however, you must confirm this before you make any further arrangements to be abroad. Most PG students opt for a shorter abroad programme over the summer so they can balance all of their commitments.

Accommodation

We advise making your accommodation arrangements as soon as you are confirmed on a programme. Most of our programmes will either include or recommend accommodation, but this isn't always the case and sometimes you will need to source your own suitable accommodation. 

If you do need to find your own accommodation, then you can reach out to the host organisation to see if they can assist you. They may be aware of short term accommodation nearby, or be able to recommend good areas to start your search.

Travel

We advise to book your travel as soon as you are able and where possible booking refundable flights or tickets. You often need proof of return travel for a visa, however, if you cannot get a visa in time, or you change your plans, then a refundable ticket is a massive help!

Take into account what time of day you will arrive in your host country and make sure you have planned onward travel from the airport, train or bus station. Sometimes this is included in the programme, however if not, it is best to do your research before you arrive.

Make connections

Before you head off for your summer abroad you'll have the option to share your contact details with other Essex students heading to the same programme or country. Your host organisation may also set up groups so you can get to know others attending the same programme as you.

This can be a great way to widen your global connections and give you some support before you even leave the country!

Pre Departure Conference

You'll be invited to our pre departure conference, usually held in May. This will be a chance to meet the Essex Abroad team, other students heading away over the summer and to get to grips with any vital information before you start your summer abroad.

Additional resources

You can find many resources on our pre departure Moodle page.

The Big Essex Award is the University's employability award and is how we accredit extra-curricular activities here at Essex. It recognises all your extra-curricular activities on your HEAR.

The Big Essex Award can also help you identify and effectively sell the skills graduate employers are really looking for.

You can claim units for your international experience abroad whether it's an internship, summer school or volunteering programme.

Claim your Big Essex Award units below:

• Summer Schools Abroad
• International Internships
• Volunteering Abroad
• Research Abroad

As a returning summer abroad student, you are very welcome to support the Essex Abroad team as an Essex Abroad Ambassador.

This is a volunteer role and the focus is the promotion of our programmes and supporting our incoming exchange students. We usually need help with any or all of the events below throughout the academic year:

• Support incoming exchange students to Essex
• Come to our social evening mixers with incoming exchange students and interested outgoing Essex students
• Participate in our in-person presentations to future Essex Abroad students
• Attend our Study Abroad fair and promote your summer abroad experience
• Participate in our Zoom presentations to future Essex Abroad students
• Review our Instagram account (@essexabroad) and provide feedback
• Do an Instagram takeover for a day (@essexabroad)
• Organise a talk in your department about your Essex Abroad experience, including why it's worth them encouraging others to have an international experience
• Write a blog post about your time abroad
• Make a short film about your Essex Abroad experience

If you complete 25 hours or more in this role, you can also apply for recognition via the Big Essex Award, Essex Abroad Ambassador units. The Essex Abroad Ambassador role is therefore a great way to gain experience within a supportive environment and to meet like minded students. If you are interested in this role please contact the team via essexabroad@essex.ac.uk at any point throughout the year.