Academic Planning-When you're there

Choose the right classes

While some programs have a set curriculum, most give you the freedom to pick the courses that are right for you. You will choose what is most interesting to you, what is appropriate for your level (linguistic/academic), and what will work best in your academic plan. You will eventually fill out a Course Equivalent Request Form (CERF); see below. Yet it may be helpful to refer to that form and its instructions as you are choosing your courses so that you can get an idea about how they could transfer.

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Fill out your Course Equivalent Request Form “CERF"

IAP Study Abroad Handbook contains detailed information about filling out the Course Equivalent Request Form. You can find a copy of the form here.

Back on campus in the US, if there are no problems with your CERF, you will receive a grade report. Once you sign that report, your course equivalents and grades will be sent to the registrar.

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Get Academic Advising while abroad

Take advantage of the resources that you have on site such as your Resident Director, your program coordinator, or your professors. In addition, stay in contact with your academic advisors on campus through email; they offer advice about the programs you are taking abroad and the courses you may be taking upon your return, and they can keep you abreast of educational opportunities that may arise on campus.

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Register for classes while abroad

The UW-Madison Registrar’s Office will inform you by e-mail of registration dates and details. It is your responsibility to register yourself for the semester following your study abroad programs through you’re MY-UW (non-UW-Madison students should check with their home institution’s guidelines). Please clear any holds on your record before registration, including advising holds used by some Schools or Colleges to ensure that students speak to their advisors before registering. If a course has a pre-requisite that you are fulfilling while abroad, you should notify the department in question and get authorization to register for that course.

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Graduate while abroad

You can graduate while abroad if you fulfill your degree requirements. The IAP Study Abroad Handbook has detailed information about graduating while abroad. You can also get information on graduation from the Registrar’s Office.

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