Advising

Whether you are just starting to consider a global experience or already have a program in mind, the CGIS advising team is here to help! Explore the different ways we can provide advising assistance below:

Read Me First!

How do I get started?
Explore our "Getting Started" page to familiarize yourself with the study abroad and internship abroad process before scheduling an appointment. There you can also find our First Step video where we review how to search for a program, get approval from departments, financial aid, and more!

Who should I meet with?
If you have basic questions about the application process or don't know where to start, meet with a CGIS Peer Advisor! They can help you during walk-in hours or offer one-on-one First Step sessions (email cgis@umich.edu to request). If you know which program you're interested in and have program-specific questions, meet with the CGIS Advisor for that program.

Who is the CGIS Advisor for each program? Where do I find CGIS Advisor portfolios?
Advisor portfolios are available on the CGIS Staff Page. When scheduling an appointment, click on the program/country you're interested in and our system will select the appropriate advisor.

Should I set up an appointment or email my advisor?
If you are just getting started or have many questions, an appointment is better. Appointments are 20-30 minute time slots. However, if you only have a few questions, consider sending an email. Advisor's emails are available on the staff page linked above.

Should I schedule a "General Appointment" or choose a country/topic?
Schedule a "General Appointment" for an overview of the experience abroad process, including the timeline, financial aid, and application processes. If you have specific program questions, you will need to select the country/topic to meet with the appropriate advisor when scheduling.

How can I find out which requirements I can fulfill abroad?
Find recommended programs and even pre-approved courses for many different studies on our Major/Minor Advising Pages (MAPs). Consult your LSA major/minor advisors to learn which requirements you can fulfill abroad. For more information about major/minor credit, distribution credit, and earning credit as a non-LSA student, please view our flowchart.

If I am interested in a non-CGIS program, who should I talk to?
CGIS does not offer advising for students going abroad independently. You can find resources by clicking the "International Center" button at the bottom of the page. Students who go abroad independently transfer in their credit and may not have access to all their aid and scholarships.

Peer Advising & E-Advisors

Peer Advising Drop In Hours:
Winter Semester:
Monday - Friday: 10am-2pm*
Hours end one hour early on Wednesday (1pm)

Visit the CGIS office during our drop in hours to chat with a Peer Advisor.

Peer Advisors can answer questions about:

Application process
How to find the right program for you
Their personal experience
Budgeting abroad
Purchasing flights
and more!

Peer Advisors can also provide one-on-one First Step sessions with students - email cgis@umich.edu to request a meeting.

E-Advisors
Want to chat with an alumni of the program you're interested in? Reach out to cgis@umich.edu with the subject line "E-Advisor Request" to see if your program has an e-advisor!

Getting Credit Abroad

LSA students receive Michigan in-residence credit—not transfer credit—for participating in CGIS programs. Credits appear on your academic record and count towards your U-M degree. Grades received abroad will be factored into your U-M GPA in accordance with LSA policies.

Students are highly encouraged to meet with their academic advisors to determine whether specific courses can count towards distribution and/or major/minor requirements prior to the program's start. CGIS Advisors cannot make these determinations.

For distribution requirements: Speak with your general advisor (Newnan, CSP, Honors, RC)
For major or minor requirements: Meet with your major or minor departmental advisor
Some departments maintain a list of pre-approved coursework on our Major/Minor Advising Pages (MAPs).

Students can elect to take non-major/minor courses as pass/fail. Instructions on how to do so are provided on M-Compass through learning content available at the start of one’s program. Courses used to fulfill LSA's Language Requirement (e.g. Spanish 230 or 232) must be taken for a grade, not pass/fail. More about pass/fail can be found on this page.

Non-LSA students should contact their home school or college concerning the applicability of LSA courses, as well as policies relating to transfer vs. in-residence credits and grades.

Group Advising + Info Sessions (by Program/Topic)

What to expect:

Information Sessions: Advisors/Faculty will present on the program or topic with time for questions at the end. These sessions are great for a deeper dive to learn more.

Drop In (Group) Advising: Come with your questions about the program or application, and benefit by hearing the answers to questions from other students as well!

Information Session: Spanish 230/232 Abroad - Spring/Summer 2025
October 18, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. on Zoom (Happening @ Michigan)
Information Session: GCC Denmark: Reproductive Health Information Session
October 22, 2024 at 12-12:30 p.m. on Zoom (Pre-Registration on Sessions available)
Information Session: GCC Brazil: Global Blackness - Spring/Summer 2025
October 25, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. on Zoom (Happening @ Michigan)
Information Session: Spanish 230/232 Abroad - Spring/Summer 2025
October 31, 2024 at 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Zoom (Happening @ Michigan)
Information Session: Spanish-language Programs Abroad - Spring/Summer 2025
November 1, 2024 at 11:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. on Zoom (Happening @ Michigan)
Information Session: GCC Brazil: Global Blackness - Spring/Summer 2025
November 7, 2024 at 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. on Zoom (Happening @ Michigan)
Information Session: Spanish-language Programs Abroad - Spring/Summer 2025
November 13, 2024 at 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Zoom (Happening @ Michigan)
Drop-in Group Advising Session: GCC Brazil: Global Blackness - Spring/Summer 2025
December 3, 2024 at 2:00 - 3:00 p.m. on Zoom
Drop-in Group Advising Session: Spanish 230/232 Abroad - Spring/Summer 2025
December 4, 2024 at 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Zoom
Drop-in Group Advising Session: Advanced Spanish Abroad - Spring/Summer 2025
December 5, 2024 at 3:00 - 4:00 p.m. on Zoom
Drop-in Group Advising Session: Spanish 230/232 Abroad - Spring/Summer 2025
January 8, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Zoom
Drop-in Group Advising Session: Advanced Spanish Abroad - Spring/Summer 2025
January 9, 2025 at 11:00 a.m. - 12:00 p.m. on Zoom

Check back later for more sessions!

Program-Specific FAQ Guides

Our Program-Specific FAQs are a great resource to find answers to common questions for specific abroad programs. Please continue to check back for more FAQs, and watch for updates to the content of these guides.

Note: Details shared in each FAQ only relate to the programs specified, and should not be assumed to apply for other programs not listed. If you have any questions about which program a FAQ applies to, please contact us at cgis@umich.edu.

Different Factors to Consider:

We encourage you to consider what's most important to you when choosing a program. Identifying these key objectives not only helps you identify the program that is best for you, but also can help you create SMART (Specific, Measureable, Attainable, Relevant, and Time-Bound) goals to make the most of your experience abroad!

Ready to Meet an Advisor?

Now that you've read through the "Read Me First!" section and you've determined that you're ready to meet with an Intercultural Programs Advisor, please use the link below. Please utilize the country and region catagories to the best of your ability. If you're still not sure, schedule a general appointment and explain what you hope to discuss.

Ben advises for the following:

Asia: China, Japan, Taiwan, Thailand
Australia
GCC: Japan
GCC: South Africa
Jordan
Morocco
South Africa (UCT)
International Internships with Omprakash

Callie advises for the following:

Czech Republic
GCC: Denmark
GCC: Prague/Vienna
Scandinavia: Denmark + Sweden
STEM research programs: Hungary, Ireland, Spain and the UK

Cierra advises for the following:

Africa: Ghana + Rwanda
English-speaking programs in Spain: Barcelona + Madrid
Environment programs
GCC: Tanzania
GIEU: Africa

Ellyse advises for the following:

GIEU: Brazil
GCC: London
Madagascar
Multi-Country
Public Health: South Africa
Switzerland
UK

Joy advises for the following:

Asia: South Korea, Singapore, Kazakhstan
GCC: Rome
Europe: Italy, Ireland
International Internships with SageCorps

Juliana advises for the following:

Latin/South America: Argentina, Chile, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Brazil, Dominican Republic
GCC: Brazil
Spanish Language programs (including Spanish in Spain)
International Internships with CEA CAPA