Parent Portal

Marshall Undergraduate International Programs

Many students describe their study abroad experiences  as "life-changing" and indeed, the experiences, opportunities and life lessons that students bring home with them from other countries are truly unique. International experiences help mold students into the inquisitive and confident children all parents are proud to have. So your child wants to study abroad? Now what?

Programs

Global Study Global Experiences Global Internships
International Exchange Programs

Global Leadership Program (GLP)

Learning About International Commerce (LINC)

Experiential Corporate Learning Program (ExCEL)

Global Brigades @ Marshall

Marshall Case Team

Marshall International Case Competition

Winslow-Maxwell Summer Internship Program

Marshall International Summer Internship Program (MISIP)

Global Fellows Internship Program

 

Preparing to Apply

Does my child have to know where they want to go?

Students who put more thought and care into choosing their top program abroad locations will take away greater personal and professional development from the experience, as well as be better able to explain these choices during program abroad interviews. 

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How does my child apply to study abroad and when will they hear about decisions?

Application timelines vary by program, so interested students should check our website for their program of interest frequently. 

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My child was just accepted into a program. What is the next step?

Our office will be in contact with your student about next steps, which include:

  • Completing any required passport and VISA applications
  • Receiving course advising and registeringfor classes
  • Attending a pre-departure orientation

See Parent Pre-Departure Resources to the right for documents helpful specifically to parents during this exciting time. 

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What happens if my child is wait listed for a program?

Any students wait-listed for a program will be notified via email with next steps if a spot opens up.

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Is there an information session/webinar for parents?

All previous in-person information sessions have been hosted for students only. However, our office is currently discussing and planning virtual webinars, to which parents are more than welcome to attend with their students. 

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Academics

USC Marshall School of Business Academic Advisors are available to meet with students so that credits earned while abroad will count toward their USC Degree. 

Download here past classes that have been available for credit at each Exchange institution.

Note: These lists are NOT exhaustive. If a course does not appear on the spreadsheet, this does not mean the course is not acceptable or not offered, only that it has not been offered the previous semester. Students are advised to meet with their academic advisor or Undergraduate International Programs staff to ensure they register for appropriate courses and sufficient units abroad.


Finances

Our goal is to make study abroad accessible for all Trojans, and USC allows all financial aid (grants and loans) to be applied to the cost of semester or year-long overseas programs for up to two semesters abroad.

Each student’s expenses abroad will vary based on the host city’s cost of living and currency exchange rates. Additional expenses abroad not covered by USC Financial Aid should be discussed prior to your student’s departure.

Please see USC Financial Aid for more information.

How much will my child's program cost?

Costs vary by program. Stay tuned for updates answering this question. For IEP specifically, find here the 2019-2020 estimated costs by school.

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What should I expect in terms of my child's spending abroad, both with cash or credit card?

Student spending and need for access to cash or ability to use a credit card while abroad vary greatly depending on your child's destination. Here are just a few tips:

  • We recommend discussing a budget with your child in advance of their trip - how much can they spend on travel and entertainment?
  • We also recommend researching the host city's local currency customs - is cash or credit card used more often? This will help you and your child create a plan for minimizing credit card and debit card usage charges while abroad.
  • Any ATM will give your child cash with a full checking account and debit card, but it will cost money every time your child uses it. Research cards with reimbursable ATM fees and no international charges.
  • Remember to put a travel notice on any credit or debit cards your child chooses to take with them. 
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Health and Safety Abroad

Student safety is our utmost priority. USC Marshall School of Business coordinates closely with the exchange university and with Aetna Student Insurance to best ensure student safety and mitigate any risk of incidents happening abroad. 


Please see Aetna Student Health Insurance and International SOS for more information.

Does USC limit or restrict personal travel, including break period travel, while students study abroad?

USC does not limit personal travel while abroad. 

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Are students allowed to rent vehicles or drive while abroad?

Requirements for car rentals vary country to country. Research your student's placement location for local driving laws and car rental policies. 

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How safe is lodging and public transportation abroad?

Lodging and public transportation are generally safe abroad, as long as students book housing from reputable vendors and maintain awareness of their surroundings on public transportation.

ASU has a great resource on housing abroad available here.  Find public transportation safety tips here.  

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How will my child learn about local health, safety, and security aspects of their location?

Students are encouraged to carefully consider the safety risks and relevant precautions involved in traveling and living in a foreign country.  Issues of safety are covered in the mandatory pre-departure orientation.  When students arrive at their study abroad sites, they usually receive more specific information on safety issues.  Students should carefully read and consider all materials issued by the program sponsor that relate to safety, health, legal, environmental, political, cultural, and religious conditions in their host country. For more information, see USC Dornsife's tips on security and safety abroad

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If my child experiences a security or safety emergency — what steps should s/he take to get assistance?

Students experiencing a security or safety emergency should follow the safety protocols as designated by their host institution to get to safety as quickly as possible. Our exchange partners will notify Marshall Undergraduate International Programs, at which point our staff will follow up with students and parents if appropriate.

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How are threat levels in cities / countries / regions monitored and communicated to students?

When there is a known significant increase in the level of potential danger to USC students in a city or region where they study abroad, University officials meet to determine what steps to take to maximize student safety.  U.S. Department of State Travel Alerts and Advisories, embassies' and consulates' Public Announcements, the travel advice of other governments, news sources, the resident directors and international student offices at the study abroad sites, and other information sources are all instrumental in informing University decisions and communication with students about potential dangers.

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How will parents be informed of disruptive events that may impact their student’s health and safety or the Study Abroad programs themselves?

Parents should follow Marshall Undergraduate International Programs on Twitter to receive immediate updates and alerts about any disruptive events occurring in study abroad locations. Any occurrences abroad considered an emergency will be communicated to parents via email or phone call.

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How are decisions made to curtail a program and remove students from a particular location?

When there is a known significant increase in the level of potential danger to USC students in a city or region where they study abroad, University officials meet to determine what steps to take to maximize student safety.  U.S. Department of State Travel Alerts and Advisories, embassies' and consulates' Public Announcements, the travel advice of other governments, news sources, the resident directors and international student offices at the study abroad sites, and other information sources are all instrumental in informing University decisions.  

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Contact Information

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USC Marshall Undergraduate International Programs Office

Jill and Frank Fertitta Hall (JFF), Suite 201