Although the University is closed for some time for Winter Break, there are still important steps you can take to start or continue planning for study abroad. We recommend you take the following steps to move your study abroad plans forward:

• Confirm that you have a current passport that will be valid 6 months after you plan to return from your study abroad program. For example, if your intended study abroad program will end around December 2026, you should ensure your passport is at least valid through June 2027. (Note: Students who are intending to study abroad in Spain should make sure that their passport is valid for 12 months after their program end date.)
• Watch Study Abroad 101 Video—This will be a great way for you to learn the basics of the study abroad planning and application process.
• Conduct Research on Study Abroad Program Options Independently—As you explore programs, we encourage you to take note of any questions that come up and bring them to an advising appointment in January.
• Review Upcoming Deadlines to make sure you’re staying on track to submit an application by the deadline. The final deadline for most Fall 2026 programs is February 1st, 2026, just days after you start spring classes, but a few programs have an earlier deadline of January 15.
• Schedule an appointment with an advisor—Appointments are available throughout December up until the start of Winter Break and resume the week of January 5th. Plan ahead and schedule an advising appointment now.
• Start an application—Fall 2026 and full year 2026–27 applications will be available in January 2026 following the break. If you know which study abroad program you’re interested in, get started on the application personal statement now, using the following questions:

  • 1. Why have you chosen to study abroad through this particular program/university, and how does it support your academic, personal, and career goals? 

    Explain what motivates you to study abroad and why this specific location and program are appealing. Discuss how the experience connects to your concentration or academic interests, what personal growth you seek, and how it aligns with your future aspirations.

  • 2. How will you engage with your host culture, and how do you see yourself in this new space?

    Discuss how you plan to immerse yourself beyond the classroom and in the local community and what do you hope to learn from your surroundings. You might also consider how your identities (e.g., race/ethnicity, gender, sexual orientation, nationality/citizenship, ability, religion, class) may shape your interactions abroad and how you plan to navigate those.

  • 3. What will you carry forward?

    What do you hope to bring back with you? How might this experience influence your learning, your understanding of the world, or your contributions to the campus community once you return? Are there Brown Liberal Learning Goals and the core competencies that you will have further developed through your study abroad semester?