Whether you are a veteran yourself or a family member of a veteran who receives Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education and Training Benefits, supporting your aspiration to participate in an education abroad program requires close communication with the Office of Veteran Programs and your PennState 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 VA stipulations and your academic objectives. The earlier you can start this process, the better!
Questions to consider:
- If I receive VA education benefits, can I use them for my selected education abroad program?
- If not, what other funding options are available, and can I afford to pay for my selected education abroad program out of pocket?
- If applicable, will I need to disclose my military service when applying for a student visa?
- 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 discussing my military service or my connection to a veteran?
- 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?
Tips from the Education Abroad Office:
- Plan your finances: Not all education abroad programs are eligible for VA education benefits. If you receive VA education benefits, work with the Office of Veterans Programs and the Education Abroad office early in the planning process to determine which programs may be eligible and how your benefits may apply.
- Research your host country: Familiarize yourself with the history and culture of your host location, especially any history of U.S. military presence. Understanding this historical context may help you better navigate and contextualize complex cultural perspectives you may encounter.
- 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 connecting with other veterans, military-affiliated students, or local community organizations.
Resources:
Whether you are a veteran yourself or a family member of a veteran who receives Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) Education and Training Benefits, supporting your aspiration to participate in an education abroad program requires close communication with the Office of Veteran Programs and your PennState 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 VA stipulations and your academic objectives. The earlier you can start this process, the better!
Questions to consider:
- If I receive VA education benefits, can I use them for my selected education abroad program?
- If not, what other funding options are available, and can I afford to pay for my selected education abroad program out of pocket?
- If applicable, will I need to disclose my military service when applying for a student visa?
- 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 discussing my military service or my connection to a veteran?
- 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?
Tips from the Education Abroad Office:
- Plan your finances: Not all education abroad programs are eligible for VA education benefits. If you receive VA education benefits, work with the Office of Veterans Programs and the Education Abroad office early in the planning process to determine which programs may be eligible and how your benefits may apply.
- Research your host country: Familiarize yourself with the history and culture of your host location, especially any history of U.S. military presence. Understanding this historical context may help you better navigate and contextualize complex cultural perspectives you may encounter.
- 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 connecting with other veterans, military-affiliated students, or local community organizations.
