Study Abroad Interview Guide

Sample Questions to Prepare For:
Why did you choose this program?
* Hint: Demonstrate that you have researched the program and provide
specific examples for why you chose this program over other similar ones.
How will this program fit with your academic plans?
* Hint: Will you still be able to graduate in four years? Have you talked it
over with your advisor? What common curriculum courses will you be able
to take abroad? Are there any language requirements you can fulfill?
Describe yourself.
*Hint: This can catch you off guard. Have adjectives and examples
prepared.
How do you contribute to a group?
* Hint: Demonstrate flexibility. Can you both lead and follow? Show your
engagement and willingness to be part of a group/team.
What do you expect to get out of this experience?
* Hint: Do you think your time abroad will give you a new perspective of
yourself and your own culture/country? What do you expect to learn? How
will this experience enhance your future career?
How do you envision spending your free time while abroad?
* Hint: Do not just say ‘travel’. Demonstrate that you are interested in
getting to know your host-city/country. Maybe provide examples of specific
sites you hope to visit.
What are your drinking habits and how might they affect your
experience abroad?
*Hint:: Be honest. Demonstrate that you know your limits and that you
understand what responsible drinking is. If you have violations, say how you
have learned from your mistakes.
What do you know about the host country?

*Hint: Research. Discuss any important current events taking place in your
host nation or any famous places you hope to visit.
What skills, strengths, and characteristics make you a strong
applicant?
* Hint: Provide specific examples.
How will you positively represent CSB/SJU while abroad?
*Hint:: Stress responsibility and respect for your host country and culture.
What do you expect out of your faculty director?
*Hint:: Have questions prepared to ask them.

Why Overseas Educations Matters?

The population of students studying abroad is diversifying rapidly—students with different ethnic
backgrounds, academic majors, age, socio-economic status, and students with disabilities are increasingly
seeking opportunities overseas. U.S. colleges and education departments are also frequently
incorporating education abroad opportunities into their major and minor requirements for students, and
this brings new and interested groups of students to the education abroad office for advising on
appropriate overseas options.
Education abroad advisers are seeing greater numbers of students with disabilities who are investigating
education abroad opportunities as part of their undergraduate educational experience. To provide equal
access to those students with disabilities, U.S. institutions often provide a wide range of support services
on their campuses. These include ramp access to buildings, extra time on tests or a private testing
environment, sign-language interpreters, converting print material into an electronic format, and
notetakers. Students’ needs vary, even if they have the same disability, and the specific needs may be
easy to make arrangements for or may require advanced planning. For education abroad, a particular
accommodation may not be possible, but other low- or no-cost accommodations may equally reduce the
barrier that the individual experiences.
According to Open Doors, more than 1,000 students with disabilities studied abroad in 2006-2007. Of these
students, half reported a learning disability, 25 percent reported a mental health condition, and the
remaining 25 percent were students with physical, sensory, or other disabilities
(http://www.miusa.org/newsitems/opendoorsdisabilitystats). To serve these diverse populations,
education abroad advisers need to encourage students to disclose their needs early and should have key
advising tools in place so that appropriate guidance and planning can take place before a student
embarks on a significant academic, personal, and cultural experience overseas.

GUIDE FOR INTERNATIONAL STUDENTS

At the Technical University of Madrid (UPM) we firmly intend 

to be a university with a strong international outlook. We have 

taken this idea as a challenge and have encouraged student 

exchanges at both graduate and postgraduate level for many 

years. 

International students are therefore particularly welcome at 

the UPM, regardless of where they are from and whether they 

are undergraduate, graduate or postgraduate students. We 

have set up many exchange programmes that the UPM 

upholds and promotes with other universities around the 

world. Through these exchanges, international students can 

access our education system and culture and enjoy a range of 

experiences they would undoubtedly miss out on without the 

opportunity to participate in a student exchange programme. 

We hope that students who spend time at our university will be our best ambassadors, and 

that their comments and suggestions will help us to provide the welcome and assistance 

we trust you will find if you do decide to study at the UPM. 

This guide has been prepared to help you during your stay among us. It is intended to give 

you practical, useful information about our city and our university and to help you as much 

as possible to integrate into your new environment. 

Javier Uceda Antolín 

Rector of the Technical University of Madrid