Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is CUAbroad?
CUAbroad at the Catholic University of America is the education abroad unit of the Center for Global Education. This office administers and develops a wide array of education abroad opportunities for both CUA and non-CUA students. Programs offered include semester, academic year and summer programs as well as international internships. Services include individual and group advising, education abroad events such as fairs, presentations to campus groups and organizations, pre-departure and re-entry orientation, a resource library, assistance with visa applications, travel information. The office also issues the International Student Identity Card (ISIC) and provides emergency evacuation insurance.

2. When should I study abroad?
Most students study abroad during their junior year - hence the expression "junior year abroad". However, nowadays more students, especially those who have employment constraints or family obligations, select summer or interim sessions (January or May-term). CUA students must have completed 45 credits (the equivalent of being a second-semester sophomore) during a semester abroad. No such requirement exists for short-term programs, students may participate in a summer program after their first year in college or in a spring break program sponsored by CUA during the freshman year. Seniors may also study abroad but they must receive permission from their departmental advisor and Dean who will advise them regarding requirements before graduation.

3. Who is eligible to study abroad?
CUA students - and non-CUA students - must be enrolled full-time at the time of application, have completed 45 credits - be a second-semester sophomore - in order to be accepted into semester and academic year program. It may be difficult to study abroad during the last semester before graduation if you are concerned about graduating on time. Short-term and summer programs are open to freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or graduate students. The general public may participate in short term programs as well. GPA requirements are as follows:

2.50 or above cumulative G.P.A. for most CUA spring break and summer programs

2.80 or above cumulative G.P.A. for direct exchanges, semesters & internship programs

3.50 for undergraduates - 3.80 for graduate students - or above cumulative G.P.A. for the CUA Oxford Honors program.

Students participating in semester- or academic year programs MUST be enrolled full time (12-15 credit hours) during the program. Exception to this requirement must be requested in writing and approved by the Center for Education Abroad and the Dean of the school in which the student is enrolled. Such request usually not granted due to student visa regulations in the host country. Any prior balances due to CUA MUST be paid in full in order to be officially admitted in an education abroad program (both affiliated or non-affiliated). Students will not be allowed to study abroad unless all past CUA balances are paid up.

4. Where can I study abroad?
The world is your classroom! CUAbroad offers a wide array of education abroad programs worldwide, both short-term and semester/year long. You must first attend a mandatory "Education Abroad 101" information session at the CUAbroad office to find out about your options. A list of program options is available at http://cuabroad.cua.edu/programs/

5. How long can I stay overseas?
You can go for as long as an academic year or for as short as one week, depending on your sense of adventure, budget and academic goals! Most CUA students participate in semester programs and many complement this experience with short-term programs. If you plan to participate on a semester or academic year program, you MUST be enrolled as a full-time student at the time of application as well as during your program abroad.

6. What do I need to do to study abroad?
Planning is the key to successful study abroad. How well you achieve your personal and academic objectives - and your long-range career goals - depends on your choice of the right country, institution, and program.

Planning study abroad:

· Research programs

· Talk with your advisors on campus

· Evaluate your language skills

· Choose a location

· Arrange academic credit

· Apply to the program(s)

· Arrange for transportation and housing

· Obtain passport and visas (if required). Unless otherwise specified, it is YOUR responsibility to get your visa for your stay overseas. Always check with the State Department on visa requirements for your host country and follow advice you receive from the program director and/or CUAbroad.

· Verify - or purchase - medical insurance

· Attend pre-departure orientations

7. When should I begin planning?
The earlier the better! You should definitely start your preparations two semesters before you plan to go, and you must have picked a program well before the specific application deadlines. In other words, if you plan to go for the fall semester, you should start researching programs the previous fall. If you are interested in our short-term options, pick up the flier and application form at least a month before the application deadline and submit your material BEFORE the application deadline to secure your spot.

8. How do I find education abroad or internship programs?
Regardless of whether you plan to attend a CUA or non-CUA program, you must first attend a CUAbroad Abroad 101 information session to get an overview of CUA and non-CUA study abroad options and application procedures. Sessions are offered at CUAbroad a couple times a week at various times. If you are considering non-CUA semester or academic year program, you can use the CUAbroad Resource Library and look through the informational binders and study abroad resource guides, in particular the IIE Passport: Academic Year Abroad book which is also available online at www.iiepassport.org . Another option is to visit StudyAbroad.com, which is the largest database of study abroad programs offered through US institutions. Before you apply, you should make an appointment with your faculty advisor as well as CUAbroad to discuss your plans and to get your questions answered.

9. After I have chosen a program, how do I apply?
If you are applying for a CUAbroad program, you will need to make an appointment with the Global Program Manager to go over the application procedures and to obtain the necessary forms. If you are applying for a non-CUA program, you will need to make an appointment with the Global Program Manager first to discuss non-CUA education abroad paperwork and transfer of credits, and then apply to your overseas institution of choice directly. Keep in mind that there is an administrative fee payable to CUA whether you apply to a CUA or non-CUA program first.

10. Do I need to speak the language of the country where I want to study?

It depends on the country and the program. In countries where the official language of the country is English - such as Australia, Ireland, and the UK - this is a non-issue. Some programs have a specific objective to help students learn a foreign language or improve language proficiency. Some of these may require two or more years of college-level study before they accept students or offer courses from beginning to advanced. If you wish to enroll in college level coursework in a country where the official language is not English, you will need advanced level language preparation before being allowed to enroll. On the other hand, many programs do not require previous study of the language. Always consult the program's information page for more specific information.

11. How much do study abroad programs cost?

A) Semester and academic year programs: CUA students participating in programs administered or affiliated by CUA pay a non-refundable $100 application fee to CUAbroad at the time of application. The program cost is equivalent to CUA tuition (this does not include CUA room and board) plus a $5,000 education abroad program fee. The total cost covers instruction, overseas housing, any mandatory meal plans and costs not directly associated with tuition, plus administrative costs. Airfare, most meals - if not included - and visa costs are not generally included.

B) Short-term and summer programs: CUA students pay a non-refundable $100 application fee to CUAbroad at the time of application. The rest of the program fee varies depending on the length and nature of the program and cover tuition, housing, some or most meals, excursions, and in-country transportation. In some cases airfare is also included (check specific program information).

C) Non-CUA programs: CUA students pay any non-refundable application fee, deposits, and the remainder of the balance directly to the sponsoring university or organization. Costs vary depending on the sponsoring institution, what is included, and the length of program. Students must work closely with CUAbroad before and after the program and have the non-CUA program approved before they submit an application. It is no longer required that students take a leave of absence. CUA students will stay active in the system and will receive transfer credit for successfully completed courses. No CUA tuition is charged but students will pay a service fee to CUA directly to CUAbroad that varies based on the length of the program ($175 for short-term/summer, $300 for semester and $500 for academic year).

12. Can I apply my financial aid?
It depends on the type of program you select. Most federal and state financial aid can be applied to programs sponsored by U.S. accredited institutions including CUA programs. CUA aid (i.e. scholarships, grants and other awards) will not apply to non-CUA programs. Be sure to ask for a program cost breakdown from the program's sponsor (CUA or another institution/organization) to take with you to the CUA Financial Aid Office to determine how your financial aid will help you pay for the program.

13. Does CUA offer study abroad scholarships?
Currently CUAbroad does not offer scholarships to outgoing and incoming education abroad students. However, there are many outside sources for education abroad scholarships (see our website for details) based on merit or need. The key is to start looking early !

14. Will my credits transfer?
Yes, but students must follow these general guidelines very closely:

· The institution/program must take place at or be sponsored by an accredited educational institution/organization and official transcript must be issued

· Courses MUST be pre-approved by department

· Student must complete the appropriate CUA credit approval forms

· A grade of "C" or higher must be earned for transfer credits (non-CUA programs)

· Student must be enrolled full-time during a semester or academic year program.

Students must consult the academic regulations regarding the limit on the number of courses that may be transferred back to CUA from a non-affiliated program toward their degrees.

15. Will my grades transfer?
It depends on the type of program.

A) CUA-administered and/or affiliated programs. Yes, your grades will transfer and will be counted in your G.P.A. In case of a program led by a CUA faculty, you will receive direct CUA credit and register for CUA courses.

B) In the case of direct exchange and direct enrollment programs affiliated by CUA, your courses will appear during your program as a designated placeholder course (i.e. "XDUB 500"). After the end of the program and your host institution sends your official transcripts with courses and grades back to CUA, your CUA grade and credit equivalencies will be entered into your transcript, GPA, and tracking sheet. Contact CUAbroad for details.

C) Non-CUA program participants must request official transcript from the sponsoring institution/organization to be sent to CUAbroad. CUA rules and regulations regarding credit transfer will apply, credits will count as transfer credit, and grades will not be included in the G.P.A.

16. What type of courses can I take abroad?

A) Courses in your Major or Minor (major requirements or major electives): courses equivalent to CUA courses or electives in your major for courses that we have no equivalent (approved by your major advisor).

B) Electives: courses that do not fit into your major but are relevant to your degree. Electives must be approved by your academic advisor.

C) General education/liberal arts courses: these courses must have close equivalency to CUA courses in various distribution categories.

D) Independent study or research. This type of activity usually involves a lot of advanced planning and flexibility when it comes to applying credits toward an undergraduate or graduate degree. Close collaboration with one's advisor is essential.

17. How do I register for the semester following my semester study abroad?
While you are overseas, it is your responsibility to check the CUA web site and Cardinal Station for the upcoming schedule of classes and to register for the semester following your program. Use Cardinal Station from overseas or have a friend, family member or your advisor register you from the U.S.

CUAbroad will register you for the semester(s) abroad. Do not sign up for on-campus classes during the period you are going to be studying overseas, as this will create confusion with the Office of the Registrar and may result in double-billing.

18. How do I reserve on-campus housing for the semester after my program?
It is YOUR responsibility to contact the CUA on-campus housing office before you study abroad to inform them you will be out of the country for a semester or two. They might have some forms you will need to fill out to reserve your space upon your return. Refer to their website: http://housing.cua.edu/

19. What is the withdrawal and refund policy for education abroad programs?
Students participating in programs sponsored by - directly administered by or affiliated with - CUA must follow the following withdrawal policies and guidelines. These guidelines are applicable to both CUA and non-CUA participants.

Written Notification of Withdrawal

Participants who wish to cancel their intent to participate in a program must provide official notification by email. The reasons for withdrawal from the program must be stated and supporting documentation must be provided. Participants themselves, are responsible for this notification. Notification must come from the student's official Catholic University of America email account or an alternate email address on file with CUAbroad and the Center for Global Education at the time of application.

Email notification should be sent to: cua-cuabroad@cua.edu or to the email address of the program contact person (program director).

Subject: (program name) Cancellation

Effective Date: Cancellation is effective as of the date the email was sent. Participants continue to accrue non-recoverable costs based on the chart below until official notification is received. Institutions paying on behalf of a non-CUA participant are responsible for all program fees until official notice of cancellation by the student is received by CUA. It is the student's responsibility to also notify the institution paying their program fees of their withdrawal from the program.

Financial Obligation
The application fee and confirmation deposit for all programs (sponsored, co-sponsored, and exchanges) are non-refundable, as are the administrative fees for non-CUA programs, except when the program is canceled by CUAbroad or the CUA department administering the program. Students are responsible for following the cancellation/refund policy of the outside program provider.

CUAbroad and CUA departments sponsoring education abroad programs reserve space on the program for the participant upon receipt of the non-refundable confirmation deposit. At this point, the program sponsor incurs or commits to pay on behalf of the participant certain non-recoverable costs (such as housing payments and deposits, field trip pre-payments, fixed program costs, etc.). Therefore, any participant who cancels at any time after the confirmation deposit has been received will be responsible for the program deposit in addition to the following, upon withdrawal from the program:

Cancellation Period	Amount Due
60 days or more	Application fee and non-refundable deposit -up to the full program fee (based on non-recoverable costs)
30-59 days	$2,5000-up to the full program fee (based on non-recoverable costs)
Within 30 days before program start date	Full program fee (no refund)

Participants who defer to another term rather than cancel from a program within 60 days of the start of the program remain responsible for the cancellation policy based on the deferred date. Students cannot defer to another term to avoid cancellation fees.

Students who must withdraw from a study abroad program because they lack a passport and/or visa, are on State or Federal Probation and are not allowed to leave the U.S., or for any other legal reasons are held to the same withdrawal policies, procedures and penpenalties as for other reasons.

20. What factors should I consider when choosing a program?
You should consider the following factors when selecting a study abroad program:

· Sponsoring institutions: Do I want to go through a U.S. university program or do I want to apply directly to a foreign university?

· Language of instruction: Are courses taught in a foreign language? In English? Both? With primarily U.S. students? With foreign students? By U.S. professors? Host country professors?

· Language: Full immersion? Some foreign language? Mostly in English?

· Type of program: Study? Internship? Service learning? Work abroad?

· Housing: Home stay? Residence Halls? Apartments?

· Independence: Do I want to be together mostly with Americans or other foreign students or meet with the locals? How much of the time am I going to be on my own?

· Cost: What can I afford? What services do I want the program to provide?

· Credits and transcript: Will I receive an official transcript upon the completion of my studies?

21. Do I need health insurance to study abroad?

Yes, students must be fully covered with comprehensive health insurance in order to study abroad. Students – with the help of their parents, perhaps – are responsible for checking with their health insurance provider to see if their coverage is adequate for overseas travel. If not, students are responsible for purchasing traveler’s health insurance valid for the duration of their study abroad program in the geographic region – or worldwide. Students will not be allowed to study abroad without comprehensive health insurance.

22. Where can I find out about travel insurance?
For a list of travel insurance companies, visit our Travel Links and look under the section called Travel insurance vendors. The CUAbroad office does not specifically endorse any of these vendors but may be able to provide guidance on selecting a health insurance provider for international travel.

23. Am I covered for emergency evacuation while overseas?
Yes, all students who participate in CUA-sponsored programs and approved non-CUA programs are automatically covered for emergency evacuation insurance, as the cost is built into the program fee. You can find out more information about your coverage here.

You are still responsible for your own health insurance coverage while abroad. If you have your own insurance outside of CUA, you must still go through the waiver process and provide documentation to CUAbroad that you have adequate coverage.

24. Can I study abroad if I am under medical or psychiatric care?
CUAbroad does not discriminate against students who are currently under medical or psychiatric care. Students under medical or psychiatric care are requested to disclose their medical condition on the online application and provide CUAbroad with a Student Medical Evaluation by their physician or mental health care provider. This information will remain confidential and is used as a precautionary measure to ensure the students and group's health and safety.

25. Can I drive while overseas?
Due to the major liability this entails, we ask that participants on all programs to refrain from driving any motorized vehicle while abroad. There is a form called the Motorized Vehicle Agreement, which must be signed by all participants before each program begins. Go to the online forms page to download the Motorized Vehicle Agreement.

26. What if I disagree with the grade I receive from a faculty director on a CUA (resident credit) program?
CUAbroad does not get involved with grades posted by Faculty Directors on its programs. To appeal a grade for a study abroad program with a CUA faculty, follow the procedures from the CUA Policies website.

27. Do I need a specified validity on my passport or visa to travel?
You should make sure you have a valid passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from your return date while traveling on our programs. Some countries will not issue visas or stamp passports if they expire before 6 months from that date. When going on a semester or year-long program, it is almost always required to obtain a visa. To find more information about this and your host country, visit http://www.travel.state.gov.

28. Where can I find travel-related resources?
You can access travel-related resources from our "Travel Links" page. Find info on the ISIC, world security, visas and passports, travel health insurance, tips for traveling and living abroad, culture shock and re-entry and much more...

29. How do I lodge a CUAbroad program-related complaint?
All CUAbroad program-related complaints must be filed by the STUDENT only UPON RETURN from the education abroad program. If you have a CUAbroad program-related complaint, you should FIRST make mention of it in your CUAbroad program evaluation which will be emailed to you upon your return from the education abroad program. Your program evaluation will remain anonymous and confidential and will not be shared with the program faculty director until grades have been assigned. Your honest feedback is important to CUAbroad in order to improve subsequent education abroad programs.

Once your program evaluation has been turned in, you may opt to lodge a formal CUAbroad program-related grievance. To do so, you must follow the formal CUAbroad grievance procedure and complete the CUAbroad grievance form within 4 weeks of your education abroad program. You will need to bring the completed grievance form to CUAbroad and discuss your grievance in person with the Director of Education Abroad. Your confidential grievance will be reviewed by CUAbroad who will contact the appropriate program-related faculty and staff if necessary to get additional perspective on the matter. You will receive a formal response to your grievance once it has been fully reviewed.

Refunds
Refunds prior to the program start date will only be considered in cases of extreme emergencies requiring the participant to remain in the United States. Requests for refunds must be in writing along with supporting documentation. Refunds will be made available only on recoverable costs. penalties as for other reasons.

Last reviewed: November 9, 2009

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