You have had the winter, summer, semester, or year of your life, but now it's time to head back home.  In the whirlwind of last-minute things you need to do before you get on the plane, keep in mind the following steps you should take prior to coming home.

Order a copy of your transcript for the UMBC Study Abroad Office.  Universities do not automatically send your transcript to UMBC; many times you must request that they do so. 

Do not have your transcript sent to either the Registrar's Office or the Admissions Office.  If you send your transcript to these offices, there is no guarantee that your study abroad credits will transfer back to UMBC.  Ask that an official copy of your work be sent to the following address:

UMBC Study Abroad Office

222 Administration Building

1000 Hilltop Circle

Baltimore, MD  21250

USA

Order as many transcripts as you think you will need for later graduate school applications.  It is always much easier to order a transcript in person than to try to order one from overseas.  If you plan to attend graduate school, law school or medical school down the line, ask that several copies of your transcript be sent to your permanent address in signed, sealed envelopes.

Make certain that you have paid all of your bills at your host university.   You alone are responsible for making sure that you have paid your housing bills, your power bills, your phone bills and any other bills to your host university before you depart.  UMBC does not tolerate its students leaving unpaid balances at their host institutions, and can cancel your registration for subsequent semesters or prevent your graduation if you leave substantial bills at your host institution.   We have done so in the past and will do so in the future at a host university’s request.

Leave a forwarding address.  Many universities will send your mail back to the States after you leave.