Advising

Whether you are just starting to explore going abroad or already have a program in mind, the CGIS advising team is here to help! Please use the resources below to determine if it's best for you to meet with a peer advisor or an Intercultural Programs Advisor, or to attend a session instead.

Read Me First!

How do I get started?

Read our "Getting Started" page where you can find a timeline and tools to familiarize yourself with the study abroad process prior to setting an appointment. The "Getting Started" page will link you to CGIS' First Step where we review logistics like how to search for a program, get approval from departments, finanical aid and more!

Who should I meet with?

If you have basic questions about the application process or don't know where to get started, meet with a CGIS Peer Advisor! They can help you during walk-in hours and they host First Step sessions twice a week (or watch the recording online here). If you know which program you're interested in and have specific questions about that program, meet with the CGIS Advisor for the program.

Who is a CGIS Peer Advisor?

A peer advisor is a CGIS student alumnx.

Who is the CGIS Advisor for each program? Where do I find CGIS Advisor portfolios?

Advisor portfolios can be found in two places. The first is under the CGIS Staff Page. Alternatively, when you go to schedule an appointment, click on the program/country you're interested in, and the system will schedule you with the appropriate advisor.

Should I schedule a "General Appointment" or choose a country/topic?

Schedule a "General Appointment" for an overview of the study abroad process, including the timeline, financial aid, and application processes. If you have specific program questions, you must schedule an appointment with the appropriate advisor by choosing the country or topic when setting up an appointment.

Should I set up an appointment or email my advisor?

Appointments are 20-30 minute time slots. If you are just getting started or have many questions, an appointment is better. However, if you just have a few questions, consider sending an email. Advisors' emails are available on the staff page linked above.

How can I find out which requirements I can fulfill abroad?

The CGIS website has pages for many majors and minors that allow you to find recommended programs and even pre-approved courses. For LSA major/minor credit, consult your LSA major/minor advisors to learn which requirements you can fulfill abroad. More information about major or 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: Monday-Friday, 10am-2pm*
*Thursday Drop In Hours end early at 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 speak to an alumn of your program of interest? Reach out to cgis@umich.edu with the subject line "E-Advisor Request" to see if your program has a designated 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 students’ 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 studying abroad. CGIS Advisors cannot make these determinations.

For distribution requirements, please speak with your general advisor (Newnan, CSP, Honors, RC)
For major or minor requirements, students should meet with their major or minor departmental advisor. Some departments maintain a list of pre-approved coursework on their By Major pages.

Students can elect to take non-major/minor courses pass/fail. Note that a course used to fulfill LSA's Language Requirement (e.g. Spanish 230 or 232) must be taken for a grade, not pass/fail. Instructions on how to do so are provided in an MCompass learning content available upon the start of one’s program. 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 and Info Sessions (by Program or 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 / Open Group Advising: Come with your questions about the program or application, and benefit by hearing the answers to questions from other students as well!

September 15 (Friday), 4:00pm-5:00pm | Register Here
CGIS GCC South Africa - Global STEM Leadership | Info Session

Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the Global Course Connections (GCC) program in South Africa (GCC South Africa - Global STEM Leadership).

September 22 (Friday), 3:00pm-4:00pm | Register Here
CGIS GCC Brazil - Global Blackness | Info Session

Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the Global Course Connections (GCC) program in Brazil (GCC Brazil - Global Blackness).

October 10 (Tuesday), 5:00-6:00pm | on Zoom
CGIS GCC Italy - Modern Italy & Political Psychology

Join CGIS Advisor Sarah Heineken to learn more about the Global Course Connections (GCC) program in Italy (GCC Italy - Modern Italy & Political Psychology).

October 20 (Friday), 4:00pm-5:00pm | Register Here
CGIS GCC South Africa - Global STEM Leadership | Info Session

Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the Global Course Connections (GCC) program in South Africa (GCC South Africa - Global STEM Leadership).

November 3 (Friday), 3:00pm-4:00pm | Register Here
CGIS GCC Brazil - Global Blackness | Info Session

Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the Global Course Connections (GCC) program in Brazil (GCC Brazil - Global Blackness).

November 9 (Thursday), 12:00pm-1:00pm | Register Here
CGIS Spanish-language Programs | Info Session

Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the Advanced Spanish program offerings in Fall 2024 and Academic Year 2024-2025.

November 17 (Friday), 12:00pm-1:00pm | Register Here
CGIS Spanish-language Programs | Info Session

Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the Advanced Spanish program offerings in Spring/Summer 2024.

November 17 (Friday), 3:00pm-4:00pm | Register Here
CGIS Spanish-language Programs | Info Session

Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the Spanish 230 and Spanish 232 program offerings in Spring/Summer 2024.

November 30 (Thursday), 3:00pm-4:00pm | Register Here
CGIS Spanish-language Programs | Info Session

Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the Advanced Spanish program offerings in Fall 2024 and Academic Year 2024-2025.

December 1 (Friday), 12:00pm-1:00pm | Register Here
CGIS Spanish-language Programs | Info Session

Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the Advanced Spanish program offerings in Spring/Summer 2024.

December 1 (Friday), 3:00pm-4:00pm | Register Here
CGIS Spanish-language Programs | Info Session

Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the Spanish 230 and Spanish 232 program offerings in Spring/Summer 2024.

December 4 (Monday), 4:00pm-5:00pm | Register Here
CGIS GCC South Africa - Global STEM Leadership | Group Advising Session

Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the Global Course Connections (GCC) program in South Africa (GCC South Africa - Global STEM Leadership).

December 6 (Wednesday), 3:00pm-4:00pm | Register Here
CGIS GCC Brazil - Global Blackness | Group Advising Session

Join CGIS Advisor Juliana Mesa to learn more about the Global Course Connections (GCC) program in Brazil (GCC Brazil - Global Blackness).

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 study 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 study abroad experience!

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.