Predeparture Orientations
All students planning to study abroad are required to attend a Predeparture Orientation (PDO) during the semester prior to departure. Students planning to study abroad in the summer should attend at Summer PDO in the spring semester prior to departure. Information about travel basics, health and security, and cultural transitions is provided at the PDO. Students also receive the mandatory study abroad forms and a predeparture handbook at the end of the PDO session.
The Office for Study Abroad offers several regional and general PDOs each semester. Students who have been accepted to, have applied to, or will be applying to a study abroad program for the following semester are required to attend one PDO from the schedule. Students are encouraged to attend the PDO that matches the location of their study abroad program. If you are unable to make your specific region's PDO, you must attend a general PDO. Students attending a GW Study Program in England, Paris, Madrid, or Latin American MUST attend their scheduled PDO.
Regional Predeparture Orientations for Spring 2009 Study Abroad
| Region | Date | Time | Location |
| Africa | Tuesday, October 28th | 9:30- 11:00 a.m. | Marvin Center Room 308 |
| Australia/New Zealand | Tuesday, October 28th | 3:15- 4:45 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 308 |
| Thursday, October 30th | 6:15- 7:45 p.m. | Marvin Center Rooms 413 & 414 | |
| Asia | Monday, October 27th | 3:15- 4:45 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 310 |
| Wednesday, October 29th | 6:00- 7:30 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 308 | |
| Middle East & North Africa | Monday, October 27th | 9:30- 11:00 a.m. | Marvin Center Room 310 |
| Latin America | Monday, October 27th | 5:00- 6:30 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 310 |
| Tuesday, October 28th | 11:15 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 308 | |
| Spain | Monday, October 27th | 11:15 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 310 |
| Monday, November 3rd | 5:00- 6:30 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 404 | |
| French-Speaking Europe | Monday, October 27th | 1:00- 2:30 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 310 |
| Tuesday, October 28th | 5:00- 6:30 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 308 | |
| UK & Ireland | Tuesday, October 28th | 1:00- 2:30 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 308 |
| Thursday, October 30th | 8:00- 9:30 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 310 | |
| Remainder of Europe | Monday, October 27th | 6:30- 8:00 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 310 |
| Wednesday, October 29th | 9:30- 11:00 a.m. | Marvin Center Rooms 413 & 414 |
GW Study Program Predeparture Orientations for Spring 2009
| Program | Date | Time | Location |
| GW England | Thursday, November 6th | 7:00- 8:45 p.m. | Marvin Center Rooms 413 & 414 |
| GW Paris | Tuesday, November 4th | 5:00- 6:45 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 310 |
| GW Latin America | Wednesday, November 5th | 5:00- 6:45 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 405 |
| GW Madrid | Thursday, November 6th | 5:00- 6:45 p.m. | Marvin Center Rooms 413 & 414 |
General Predeparture Orientations for Spring 2009 Study Abroad
| Date | Time | Location |
| Monday, November 3rd | 11:15 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 404 |
| Monday, November 3rd | 1:00- 2:30 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 404 |
| Monday, November 3rd | 2:45- 4:15 p.m. | Marvin Center Room 404 |
| Thursday, November 6th | 9:30- 11:00 a.m. | Marvin Center Rooms 413 & 414 |
| Thursday, November 6th | 11:15 a.m.- 12:45 p.m. | Marvin Center Rooms 413 & 414 |
| Thursday, November 6th | 1:00- 2:30 p.m. | Marvin Center Rooms 413& 414 |
| Thursday, November 6th | 2:45- 4:15 p.m. | Marvin Center Rooms 413& 414 |