Military-Connected Students

Planning Your Experience Abroad

Use this page to explore the considerations, opportunities, and challenges of traveling abroad as a military-connected student.

As you consider and prepare for an international experience, use the following questions as a guide. Keep in mind that this is not an exhaustive list, and you may relate to multiple identities. You are encouraged to discuss these topics with an education abroad advisor in your school or college.

RESOURCE

Download the Military-Connected Students Abroad flyer for additional questions and considerations for traveling abroad. Bring this resource with you when meeting with an academic advisor, education abroad advisor, Veteran and Military Services, or other U-M office.

Confirm eligibility and service requirements

If I am currently serving, have I confirmed with my military service unit, command, or relevant military contact that I am eligible to participate before committing to an international experience?
Are there service obligations, training dates, deployment possibilities, reporting requirements, foreign travel notification requirements, travel restrictions, documentation, or approvals I should confirm early?
If I have served in, am affiliated with, or have obligations to another country’s military, are there service requirements, travel restrictions, documentation needs, or other considerations I should understand before committing?
If my military obligations or availability change, what is my backup plan for academics, finances, housing, or travel?

Choose a program that fits your goals and responsibilities

What type of international experience fits my goals, timeline, and responsibilities, such as study, internship, research, fieldwork, or a short-term program?
How will this program fit my academic plan and keep me on track for graduation?
Would a short-term, faculty-led, or more structured program be a better fit for my schedule, family commitments, service obligations, or personal preferences?
What questions should I ask an education abroad advisor before committing to a program, and what options should I explore in M-Compass or through my school or college?

Plan U.S. military benefits and approvals, if applicable

How might my GI Bill benefits, Monthly Housing Allowance (MHA), Basic Allowance for Housing (BAH), Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits, or other military-connected benefits apply to a for-credit education abroad program?
Does my program meet the requirements for using benefits, including degree applicability, enrollment or credit-load requirements, and any U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) approval requirements?
If I use Vocational Rehabilitation Benefits, have I spoken with my Vocational Rehabilitation Counselor about pre-approval before committing?
Have I contacted the School Certifying Officials in the U-M Registrar’s Office at [email protected] before committing to understand documentation, approval steps, and how my benefits may apply?

Build your full cost and funding plan

What is the full estimated cost of the program, and which expenses may not be covered by benefits, such as flights, meals, housing, personal expenses, or third-party charges?
What scholarships or additional funding should I explore through M-Compass, my school or college, or national funding sources?
Who should I contact before committing, such as School Certifying Officials, Veteran and Military Services, the Office of Financial Aid, or my education abroad advisor?

Prepare for local laws, culture, and identity abroad

How are the U.S. military, another country’s military, foreign policy, veterans, or military-connected identities perceived in my host destination? Is there a history between the U.S. military and my host destination that I should be aware of before I travel?
What local laws or cultural norms should I know before departure, including rules related to military-style clothing, symbols, or behavior?
How much, if anything, do I want to share about my military-connected identity abroad, and what boundaries feel right for me?
How might my military-connected identity intersect with my other identities while abroad?

Build your health, safety, and wellbeing plan

What routines, strategies, or supports help me stay well when navigating travel, schedule changes, or unfamiliar environments?
What support will be available through my program, host institution, U-M, or local resources if I need help?
If I use accommodations, medical care, mental health support, or medications at U-M, what should I plan for before traveling abroad, and should I consult Services for Students with Disabilities (SSD), Counseling and Psychological Services (CAPS), or my health care provider in advance?
What key information should I save before departure, such as emergency contacts, U-M Travel Abroad Health Insurance information, program contacts, local emergency numbers, and U-M support contacts?

Plan for family and support networks

How will my international experience affect family, caregiving, work, or community responsibilities?
Would a shorter or more structured program help me balance study abroad with family or service-related commitments?
If I want or need a family member to travel with me, what program policies, housing options, costs, or visa requirements should I ask about?
How will I stay connected with my support network while still giving myself space to engage in the experience?

Highlight: Confirm benefits and approvals before you commit

If you plan to use U.S. military-connected benefits, they can help make education abroad possible, but coverage depends on the program type, credit structure, enrollment status, approval requirements, and your individual eligibility. Benefits may not cover all expenses, such as flights, meals, housing, personal expenses, or third-party program charges.

Before committing to a program, confirm how your benefits may apply with School Certifying Officials in the U-M Registrar’s Office at [email protected]. Starting early can help you understand what is covered, what costs you may need to plan for, and what documentation or approvals are required.

Highlight: Navigating military identity abroad

Military service and military-connected identities can be viewed differently across countries and cultures. People may be curious, appreciative, neutral, unfamiliar with, or have different perspectives on the U.S. military, another country’s military, or foreign policy. You do not need to represent or explain all military experiences, but it can help to think ahead about what you are comfortable sharing and how you might respond to questions.

Research local laws and cultural norms before you go. For example, some countries restrict camouflage clothing or military-style items to local active-duty personnel. Planning ahead can help you avoid misunderstandings, make thoughtful choices about disclosure, and focus on your academic and personal goals abroad.

Student Experiences Abroad: Military-Connected Students