Questions

Click the “Apply Now” button at the top of any page. You’ll be prompted to make an APIConnect account which will be your home base to submit your transcript, course form, and other required application materials. Once you select a program, you’ll work with one of our great U.S.-based program managers who are experts on their respective locations. They’ll help you from application first steps all the way until you go on your program!

Upon acceptance into your API program, contact your financial aid office and inform them of your study or intern plans. They can share requirements for using your financial aid to pay API. Some universities require that API fill out a Consortium Agreement. If necessary, provide this to API as soon as possible.

Read more about this on our Financial Aid page.

API does collect a $150 application fee that is non-refundable. 

API believes in the importance of a strong GPA but we’re willing to consider an applicant whose GPA falls below the official requirement in certain instances. Students are asked to submit a statement of explanation addressing the reasons behind their low GPA.

API is most willing to consider an applicant with a low GPA in the following instances:

• The GPA trend has steadily improved from a low point early on in the student’s academic career.
• A small number of courses substantially affected the cumulative GPA.
• The student has made a concerted effort to study the host language, has performed well in the language courses and has applied for a program with a language focus.
• The student selected the wrong major, and upon correcting the course of study, has steadily improved the GPA.

If API cannot accept a student for the session originally desired, we will invite the applicant to reapply for a subsequent session when grades have improved.

You may only apply to one program at a time but if you change your mind before the deadline, just let us know and we can switch over your application if we are able. Don’t worry – we can also transfer your application deposit so no need to pay it twice!

API offers students access to a unique tool called Fare Finder that allows you to book higher value airfare for educational travel. Fare Finder is available inside your APIConnect account, once you have applied for your program. Upon acceptance, you will receive information on where and when to book your flights.

Depending on which site you select for your API program, as well as your country of citizenship, you may be required to apply for a visa in order to enter the host country for purposes of study.

API will provide guidance regarding the required documents after you have been accepted, and we will supply you with certain required documents.

It is very important that you complete your application for the API program quickly so that you can begin applying for your visa as soon as possible as visa processing can take time. Just know, API is not able to provide a refund if you are unable to obtain a visa prior to your program start date. We will do our best to advise you when we receive your application if we feel that you do not have sufficient time to obtain the visa.

All API participants will be required to have a valid passport for travel outside of their home country. If you do not have a passport, apply for one immediately. If you do have a passport, check the expiration date to ensure that the expiration date is at least 6 months after the end of your program. You will need to renew your passport immediately if it expires too soon after your program end date.

If you are in the process of applying for a passport or plan to apply for one but still want to start your API application, just let us know! We can help you to move forward with your application until you receive your passport.

• Talk to your university study abroad office.
• Research your country and city of interest online.
• Utilize API’s online resources.
• Seek out students who’ve already traveled to that location and talk to them about their experience.

If you take prescription medications, please review the following information:

• The first thing you should do is speak to your prescribing physician for suggestions about how to manage your medication regimen while abroad.
• Many students will seek to take enough medication to last for the duration of their time abroad, IF ALLOWABLE (see below). In this case, you would need to work with your doctor and insurance provider to secure more than the typical 30-day supply of medication.
  NOTE: Bhutan, Australia and New Zealand have tighter restrictions on the amount of prescribed medication that a traveler can bring into the country. Bhutan limits travelers to bringing in only 30 days of medication. Australia and New Zealand limit travelers to a three-month supply of medication, with the exception of oral contraceptives for which the limit is a six-month supply. If you have concerns about this, please contact our office for additional guidance. Participants should be prepared to consult with a local doctor and possibly change medications to
  something available in the country.
• If you do plan to travel abroad with a large supply of medication, you should ask your physician to write a letter including:
  • Country and city of issue, Date of issue and Period of Validity – if the individual is carrying more than a 3-month supply, the physician should explicitly state he or she has given the individual permission to do so.
  • Prescribing physician last name, first name, office address, telephone number
  • Patient last name, first name, sex, place of birth, date of birth, home address, passport number or number of identity card, intended country of destination
  • Prescribed medical preparation, including trade name of each drug or its composition, dosage form, number of units (tablets, ampoules etc.), international name of the active substance, concentration of active substance, total quantity of active substance, duration of
    prescription in days
  • Signature and stamp (if available) of prescribing physician
• For immigration purposes, travelers have generally been permitted to carry prescription medication abroad as long as they can document that a U.S. physician prescribed the medication.
  • You will need to bring your medication in the original bottle(s), accompanied by a letter from your doctor explaining the medical reason you take this medication, indicating what quantity you take and documenting why you may have a rather large quantity with you based on the duration of your stay abroad (see attached list of what should be included in the letter).
  • You should also be sure to carry the medication(s) and supporting documentation in your carry-on luggage, NOT your checked luggage, so that these items are available in the event of any questions from immigration or customs agents.
  • Not all drugs that we commonly use in the U.S. are available in other countries. For example, Adderall is not widely available outside of the U.S. and is even considered illegal in certain countries.
• It is not possible to mail medications across international borders due to customs restrictions.
• Pharmacies abroad will not fill a prescription written by a physician outside of the host country. To get a new prescription or refill abroad, you would need to see a local doctor. Your Resident Director can help you with this.

Finally, many students who travel abroad also take prescription meds, so you will not be alone!

• API recommends that students with disabilities complete the optional Student Inquiry Survey prior to submission of an application, and return to Carolyn Lutes, API’s Assoc. VP of Health, Safety, and Wellness.
• Also, please talk to your API program manager as soon as possible, so they can contact the host university abroad regarding accommodations on site and make any necessary arrangements.

API is dedicated to providing international education opportunities to students with disabilities. We strongly recommend that students with disabilities begin the process of planning their study abroad experience one year in advance, including meeting with the disabilities services and study abroad office at their home institution prior to submitting your application. Early planning provides the time required to identify the program that best suits your particular interests and needs and allows us and our partners to work with you to prepare a detailed accommodations plan. Below are some resources we hope you’ll find helpful as you begin planning for your time abroad!

API recommends that students with disabilities complete the OPTIONAL Student Inquiry Survey prior to submission of an application, and return to Carolyn Lutes at [email protected], Senior Director of Student Services & Admissions.

Please note: Disclosure of a disability prior to submitting an application is completely optional and does not preclude students from being accepted to an API program. Disclosure of a disability allows API staff to work with students to identify the best program(s) to meet each student’s needs and goals for the term abroad. Information provided on this form will not be shared with API partners abroad, to include local host institutions, until after the student has been accepted into the API program, and only as needed. API will seek to provide students with special needs a comprehensive picture of the on-site environment, so as to set appropriate expectations, and to allow students to make informed decisions regarding program participation.

API will provide advice to students using our knowledge of the dynamics on-site:

1) The accessibility of housing, transportation, and university buildings (for students with mobility limitations)

2) The availability of medical facilities and health professionals (for students with mental health or medical concerns)

3) Academic policies (for students with learning disabilities)

4) Cultural perceptions and behaviors.

As conditions exist abroad that may be beyond the control of API and its partners (e.g., some host countries have no legislation akin to the American with Disabilities Act that mandates the accessibility of governmental buildings, public transportation, sidewalks, academic institutions, and lodging for individuals with disabilities), certain sites may not be ideal for all students. API will work closely with students to identify alternate locations that can provide similar academic and cultural learning opportunities if the originally requested location cannot offer adequate accommodations.

TIPS FOR STUDENTS WITH DISABILITIES (excerpted from DiversityAbroad.com):

• Talk with other students with disabilities and learn about their experiences abroad.
• Let your counselor or program director know about your disability, if you are comfortable doing so, so that as many accommodations as possible can be made.
• Keep in mind that places abroad may not be as accessible as you are used to.
• Remember that people with disabilities may be treated differently than you are accustomed to. Research before you go so you have some idea of what to expect.
• Be flexible and think creatively about how you can accommodate your disability abroad.

HELPFUL RESOURCES

Mobility International – A non-profit organization advocating for the disabled and helping students with disabilities realize their study abroad goals.

National Clearinghouse on Disability and Exchange – Offers free services and helpful resources for planning your education abroad experience.

Pre-Departure Recommendations for Disabled Students Abroad – Information to assist students from all backgrounds with their study abroad plans.

University of Minnesota’s “Access Abroad” – Offers helpful information and tips regarding accessibility overseas.

U.S. State Department – Provides country reports including information regarding disability policies in your prospective host country.

Ultimate Guide to Air Travel with a Disability – A resource that gives information about traveler rights, tips for navigating the airport and airplane with a disability, and more.

“Making it Happen” – A University of Pittsburgh video focusing on students with disabilities abroad.

EduBirdie – offers a number of resources of scholarships for students with varying disabilities, including ADHD, hearing impairment, Autism Spectrum Disorders, learning and cognitive learning needs, speech disorders, visual impairment, physical disabilities and more.

Mental Health Resources

• Talk to your university study abroad office.
• Research your country and city of interest online.
• Utilize API’s online resources.
• Seek out students who’ve already traveled to that location and talk to them about their experience.

See links below for suggestions:

• U.S. State Dept. Passport Change of Sex Marker
• Transequality – Passports

Be sure to talk to your API Program Manager regarding your housing questions!

• Single room options available
• Co-ed housing available (in some locations)
• Gender-inclusive housing (in some locations)

• Please note that *all* API programs are LGBTQAI2+-friendly, but the following sites are also considered friendly: API LGBTQ+-Friendly Locations
• How to identify LGBTQ+-friendly study abroad programs

It’s always important to learn as much as you can about your host country before you go abroad in order to have a positive, successful experience. For LGBTQ+ students, this includes understanding the country’s laws and cultural attitudes regarding sexuality and gender identity.

Below are some resources to consult as you plan for your time abroad! Some countries may require you to modify your behaviors or face extensive discrimination or even legal consequences. It is a must for you to determine in advance how comfortable you feel adjusting your own behaviors to suit the cultural norms of a given culture and select a destination accordingly.

Diversity Abroad – LGBTQ+ Students Abroad – DiversityAbroad shares advice, resources, and must-ask questions for LGBTQ+ students to consider when looking to study abroad.

U.S. State Department’s LGBTQ+ Travel Information – Includes resources and other helpful information for before you go and while you’re there from the U.S. State Department

Fund for Education Abroad – FEA offers a Rainbow Scholarship to a deserving LGBTQ+ student who aims to participate in a high-quality, rigorous education abroad program.

IGLTA, the International Gay/Lesbian Travel Association – Assists with finding LGBTQ+ owned and welcoming travel-related businesses in over 75 countries.

The International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association – Provides comprehensive data on LGBTQ+ laws around the world.

NAFSA (Association of International Educators) Rainbow Special Interest Group – Tips for LGBTQ+ students abroad.

National Center for Transgender Equality – The National Center for Transgender Equality is the nation’s leading social justice advocacy organization winning life-saving change for transgender people. The site includes helpful travel information for transgender students traveling abroad.

HIV Entry Requirement Information – Can be found on the U.S. State Department website’s country information pages under “Entry, Exit & Visa Requirements.”

Identities Abroad – Colleges of the Fenway – The Colleges of the Fenway offers a great resource on many aspects of the study abroad process for students who identify as LGBTQ+.

Housing for the internship program varies at each location and based on the time of year. Housing assignments may also be based on the individual location of the internship placement to keep commute times reasonable. Housing options are as follows:

Dublin, Edinburgh, Florence, London, Lisbon, Milan, Rome, and all Australia and New Zealand locations – housing will typically be in twin shared mixed-gender student apartments.

Barcelona, Madrid, Seville, Buenos Aires, Mendoza, Santiago, Valparaíso, and Syracuse – participants have a choice of homestay (with meals) or shared mixed-gender student apartments.

30-60 minutes, though there can be slightly longer in some instances. Participants should also expect to take multiple modes of transportation – i.e. bus and subway, subway and ferry, etc. Public transportation costs are not included.

API can locate high-quality, customized internship placements in nearly all fields of study, with the exception of hands-on, clinical work.

Yes, API can find English-speaking internships in our non-English destinations. Applicants that are unable to speak the local language may need to be more flexible with their placement. English-speaking placements in Buenos Aires are limited; therefore a high-intermediate level of Spanish is typically required.

The average placement time is 4-8 weeks, though it can take longer for ‘niche’ fields.

Each applicant will receive an official internship offer with the details of their internship placement. This includes a description of the company and of the anticipated internship duties. The participant must officially accept the offer and make the next payment towards the program fees of $1,000 (unless their home university has a direct bill arrangement with API). Once the applicant has officially accepted their offer, API will assist them with the pre-departure process.

In the rare event that API cannot place an applicant, the applicant would receive a full refund on any application and confirmation payments made.

API customizes all placements based on the individual applicant’s learning and career objectives. This means that we are continuously developing new internship placements for applicants. We find our placements through professional networks, industry connections, and research. Customization does not refer to company size or stature.

We can find placements in most industries or fields except hands-on clinical work. Most of our placements are with smaller to mid-sized local companies or organizations. We have found that these types of organizations tend to offer a better experience than large corporations. The larger the organization, often the more restrictive they are in what they will allow an intern to work on. Participants wanting an English-speaking placement in a foreign language destination will need to allow for flexibility in the type of placement we can find.

In most cases, the API participant will be the only intern at the internship site. Because most of our sites are smaller to mid-size organizations, they only have the resources to host 1-2 interns at a time.

API will locate a placement based on the information that the applicant provides us during the application process. API will focus on the desired learning outcomes in making an internship match, which takes priority over the size and the focus of the host organization. Therefore, API is confident that any internship offered will match the desired placement requested by the applicant to the best of our ability. Unless an applicant has valid reasons why the placement does not match their learning objectives, the expectation is that the applicant will accept the given offer.

More details are provided on the respective program pages, but in general, the following features are included:

• Customized internship placements
• APIConnect platform
• Orientation materials and resources
• Internship prep and advice
• Workplace and culture orientation
• Housing
• Access to Resident Coordinators/Directors 24/7
• Academic credit (optional)
• Internship placement oversight

Yes! All of the API internship locations are supported by API Resident Coordinators/Directors who are available 24/7 to support and assist participants through the internship experience.

Each intern will have someone at the internship that is designated as their internship supervisor. The expectation is that the supervisor and intern will meet on a weekly basis.

Participants will intern for approximately 32 hours per week, Monday – Friday. However, there may be instances where the intern must work over the weekend and have days off during the work week. For example, hospitality-related organizations often are busiest during weekend hours where it is beneficial to have interns assist.