ÎÞÂëרÇø

When the Chinese use the expression 'May you live in interesting times,' they mean it as a curse. There is no doubt that we live in interesting times, as reflected by regular news alerts and State Department Worldwide Cautions.

The OEA believes that students are in no more danger by studying overseas than by staying in the U.S. Of course, traveling to an unfamiliar location does carry some inherent risks, and ÎÞÂëרÇø cannot guarantee your student’s safety while abroad.

However, to offset these safety concerns, we address such issues through one-on-one meetings and in the face-to-face orientation we have with all students prior to their departure.

As an office, we remain informed on safety concerns through professional organizations (Forum on Education Abroad, NAFSA Committee on Health and Safety) and with our direct partners on the ground. We also maintain contact with other similar offices in our region and receive regular updates from government and nonprofit organizations ( , ).

Finally, students themselves receive further information from their program provider or host university upon their arrival in-country and for the duration of their time abroad.

The OEA  is prepared to support students if there is any problem or situation that warrants leaving a program early or withdrawing from a program. Each situation is different, so we’ll work directly with the student, their overseas program, and their College to achieve the best possible outcome for a student.

Like many of its peer institutions, ÎÞÂëרÇø maintains a home-school tuition policy, meaning that students who study overseas during the semester and/or year are charged their regular ÎÞÂëרÇø tuition for the semester they are abroad. 

The Study Abroad Tuition Policy includes additional information. Students participating in a summer or short-term program abroad will be responsible for an additional program fee. 

Yes. For the semester, most financial aid transfers to pay for ÎÞÂëרÇø tuition and non-tuition-related expenses such as room and board.

For the summer, additional aid in the form of loans is available.

For information on applying for financial aid for overseas study, contact the Office of Financial Assistance at (610) 519-4010.

All students can study abroad regardless of their major. In addition, because financial aid transfers with the student for a semester study abroad, all students regardless of financial need can study overseas. Some majors are restricted to certain programs and semesters abroad, and early planning is essential, especially for STEM majors. 

• ÎÞÂëרÇø requires a 2.75 GPA in order to participate in study abroad. Some programs or host universities require a higher average.
• ​All undergraduate majors are eligible to participate in education abroad programs, though early planning is important for many majors. 
• While there are some programs for second semester first-year students, in general, full-time Sophomore or Junior standing is required. First-semester Seniors may require special approval by their College to pursue study abroad.
• Students with any financial, disciplinary or academic holds may not apply to, or participate in, any semester, short-term or summer education abroad programs.

The OEA works with partner programs all over the world. This means that students can study almost anywhere. Because of this flexibility, it is especially important that students not think of studying abroad in terms of geography but focus on the goals they plan to accomplish through studying abroad

The only exception to the 'geography question' occurs when the State Department suggests otherwise. ÎÞÂëרÇø students cannot study in countries receiving a level 4 designation by the . Countries with Level 3 designation require additional review before approval will be granted. Furthermore, while some countries may be given a level 2 overall designation, travel is also prohibited to areas within those countries that are given a Level 4 by the U.S. State Department.

The OEA and its partners overseas offer a variety of different program types.  Some programs allow students to take classes directly alongside local students, while other programs offer classes just to non-local (i.e. study abroad) students.

Still, more programs provide a hybrid approach, where ÎÞÂëרÇø students can combine the experience of taking classes with local students, as well as other study abroad students.

In addition, students also have access to a wide variety of experiential opportunities while abroad, which include internships, research, consultancy projects, company visits and service learning.

The key to deciding which program type is the best-fit ties back to the OEA Framework and the student’s individual goals for their study abroad experience.  Different program types can offer a student new and interesting ways to meet their study abroad goals. 

Yes. The application and approval process at ÎÞÂëרÇø requires that students receive approval via the Course Approval Form for their overseas course plan from their College and department prior to their departure.

Students are also required to confirm their overseas course schedule in the Passport ÎÞÂëרÇø Portal and notify the OEA if they make any changes to their schedules while overseas.

As long as the student has their courses properly approved and receives the equivalent of a 'C' grade or better in the individual classes, all of the credits transfer towards ÎÞÂëרÇø graduation. Transfer credit earned abroad will not count towards their ÎÞÂëרÇø GPA. 

Flexibility in course selection is essential and students with plans to earn multiple majors and/or minors may need to weigh the benefits of study abroad versus the need to find specific classes to take abroad.

ÎÞÂëרÇø provides accident and sickness insurance benefits for all travelers on University-sponsored programming abroad during the dates of the program and during program activities. These insurance benefits are secondary to the health and medical insurance carried by students. For a student to be covered under the University's accident and sickness benefits, coverage for emergency care must be activated through the University’s Emergency assistance provider.  Medical needs during independent travel and activities, treatment for pre-existing conditions abroad, and other conditions may not be covered under this insurance. Therefore, all travelers should maintain their existing health and medical coverage and confirm with their provider the extent of that coverage for the time they will be abroad. Some study abroad partner programs also include insurance coverage as part of the overseas program and students may also have access to that insurance - check with your program prior to departure.

Most personal U.S.-based health and medical insurance policies cover students when they are overseas, generally reimbursing them upon their return to the U.S. It is essential that this question be raised with your health and medical insurance provider, since every provider maintains different policies. Should you wish to purchase additional health and medical coverage for your student, there are a number of companies that specialize in Study Abroad Insurance, including International SOS.

Keep in mind that all students sign a release waiver prior to their departure asserting that they are covered by personal health and medical insurance for the duration of their overseas stay, so the need to check with your insurance provider is important, especially if your student may need care for a pre-existing condition or plans to travel independently or participate in independent activities.

Cancellation & Interruption for Any Reason Insurance (CFAR/IFAR)

ÎÞÂëרÇø recommends that all travelers consider purchasing Cancellation & Interruption For Any Reason (CFAR/IFAR) insurance for domestic and international trips.  

CFAR/IFAR insurance can help protect your investment in your trip in the event the trip is canceled before departing or interrupted during a trip for any reason, including the threat or fear of COVID-19.   

There are several CFAR/IFAR insurance options available online to choose from and you are encouraged to research those options available.

ÎÞÂëרÇø recommends a CFAR/IFAR insurance policy that provides at least 75% reimbursement coverage for CFAR/IFAR benefits.  

Because of the multitude of destinations our students choose, we cannot answer these questions for all students here. Most students will receive this type of information upon acceptance from their program provider or host university.

The OEA has also compiled an extensive list of travel resources for students planning to study abroad and has added this information to their Passport ÎÞÂëרÇø Portal. If your student has a specific question, they should check in Passport ÎÞÂëרÇø Portal first, then their host program or OEA Advisor.

During the Pre-Departure Orientation, ALL students are asked to call home upon arrival. However, often in the excitement of being in a new country with new friends and new adventures, this request is forgotten. Given the close contact that we maintain with our overseas partners, this is a 'no news is good news' situation. However, a gentle reminder to 'phone home' via the student's VU email account never hurts.

However, IN THE EVENT OF AN EMERGENCY, we can contact our overseas partners in order to track down any student immediately. Call this office (610-519-6412) or the Office of Public Safety (610-519-4444, after business hours) to get in touch with a member of this office.

The partner programs abroad with which ÎÞÂëרÇø works are all of the highest caliber and standards. Both on-site Resident Directors and university International Offices exist to help students in such situations.

Though it is stressful to hear of your child in a situation that may not be ideal, there is little that we can do from here other than encourage your student to contact the people 'on the ground’ to best manage any concerns. If your student has already taken this step, encourage them to reach out to their OEA Advisor for guidance. 

Also, remember that these complaints arise regularly in the first few weeks of any program. Culture shock is a very real phenomenon and takes many different forms. The stress of living in a different place, taking classes in a different structure and speaking a different language can manifest itself in many ways. Many of the differences that cause the students anxiety are simply cultural nuances that will be adapted to over the course of the time abroad.

Encourage your student to show some patience and question the reasons for those differences, not just assume that they are 'wrong.' Another office 'mantra' that we share regularly with the students studying abroad: "If you wanted it to be just like ÎÞÂëרÇø, you would have stayed at ÎÞÂëרÇø."

However, if your student is in an unsafe situation, we will follow up with their program immediately. Contact the OEA  at 610-519-6412. 

All students should have their official overseas transcript sent to the OEA for processing. Overseas transcripts may arrive in the OEA anywhere from three weeks to three months after the completion of the semester or summer abroad. 

Once the OEA receives the transcript, our office processes the transfer of credit and sends it over to the appropriate College office for entering into the student account.

Transcripts from overseas can be delayed for a variety of reasons that are often outside of our control.  The most common delay is due to an unpaid invoice abroad, so if you are experiencing a delay check to see if your student has an outstanding balance with the program abroad that prevents the issuing of their transcript. 

Credit will only be transferred for classes that appear on the student's Course Approval Form and for which the equivalent of a 'C' or better was earned. 

Three important resources for students wishing to return overseas:

• The ÎÞÂëרÇø Career Center is the most valuable campus resource on 'life after graduation,' including such international options as internships, graduate school, Peace Corps, and, most importantly, building study abroad experience into the rèsumè.
• The Center for Research and Fellowships connects ÎÞÂëרÇø students and alumni to research and scholarship opportunities all over the world, including the Fulbright program
• Campus Ministry offers a number of international service learning trips during the fall and spring break.