Whether you are a veteran yourself or a family member of a veteran who receives GI Bill benefits, supporting your aspiration to participate in an education abroad program requires close communication with the Office of Veteran Programs and your education abroad adviser. By working with both offices to explore available opportunities, you can ensure that you are choosing a program that aligns with both Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) stipulations and your academic objectives. The earlier you can start this process, the better!
Questions to consider:
- If I receive GI Bill benefits, will I be able to use them toward my selected education abroad program?
- When applying for a visa for my host country, will I need to disclose my military service?
- Is there an active U.S. military presence in my host country, or was there historically? How might that impact the way I am perceived as a veteran or family member of a veteran?
- Am I comfortable disclosing this part of my identity to locals? How can I have meaningful and nuanced conversations on the topic?
- How might my previous international experiences influence my perspective on my host location, university, or on education abroad as a whole?
- How will the academic and cultural context of my host country influence my experience?
- Is it important to me that I maintain a certain fitness routine? If so, what facilities will be available to me on-site?
- What resources are available to me on-site for support during my education abroad program?
Tips from the Education Abroad Office:
- Plan your finances: Not all education abroad programs are eligible for GI Bill benefits. If you receive GI Bill benefits, work with the Office of Veterans Programs and the Education Abroad Office to find a suitable program for you.
- Research your host country: Familiarize yourself with the history and culture of your host location, especially any history of U.S. military presence. Understanding how this has changed over time may help you to contextualize some of the complex cultural dynamics you could encounter.
- Set your boundaries: If you are uncomfortable with disclosing your military history or connection to a family member who has served in the military, politely and safely assert your boundaries.
- Rely on and expand your network: If you have connections in your host country, consider reaching out to them for support or just to meet up! You may want to expand your network as well by finding other veterans or active duty service members in your host community.
Resources:
- A Rough Guide to Study Abroad (a Navy veteran's story of their time abroad)
Whether you are a veteran yourself or a family member of a veteran who receives GI Bill benefits, supporting your aspiration to participate in an education abroad program requires close communication with the Office of Veteran Programs and your education abroad adviser. By working with both offices to explore available opportunities, you can ensure that you are choosing a program that aligns with both Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) stipulations and your academic objectives. The earlier you can start this process, the better!
Questions to consider:
- If I receive GI Bill benefits, will I be able to use them toward my selected education abroad program?
- When applying for a visa for my host country, will I need to disclose my military service?
- Is there an active U.S. military presence in my host country, or was there historically? How might that impact the way I am perceived as a veteran or family member of a veteran?
- Am I comfortable disclosing this part of my identity to locals? How can I have meaningful and nuanced conversations on the topic?
- How might my previous international experiences influence my perspective on my host location, university, or on education abroad as a whole?
- How will the academic and cultural context of my host country influence my experience?
- Is it important to me that I maintain a certain fitness routine? If so, what facilities will be available to me on-site?
- What resources are available to me on-site for support during my education abroad program?
Tips from the Education Abroad Office:
- Plan your finances: Not all education abroad programs are eligible for GI Bill benefits. If you receive GI Bill benefits, work with the Office of Veterans Programs and the Education Abroad Office to find a suitable program for you.
- Research your host country: Familiarize yourself with the history and culture of your host location, especially any history of U.S. military presence. Understanding how this has changed over time may help you to contextualize some of the complex cultural dynamics you could encounter.
- Set your boundaries: If you are uncomfortable with disclosing your military history or connection to a family member who has served in the military, politely and safely assert your boundaries.
- Rely on and expand your network: If you have connections in your host country, consider reaching out to them for support or just to meet up! You may want to expand your network as well by finding other veterans or active duty service members in your host community.
Resources:
- A Rough Guide to Study Abroad (a Navy veteran's story of their time abroad)
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