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General Description
The Center for International Education, working with many CCSU academic
departments, offers more than twenty course abroad programs throughout the
academic year. All programs offer the opportunity to earn at least three
credits while traveling with one or more CCSU faculty.
Scholarships are available for all programs and most
programs are open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors as well as
graduate students. Students may apply for scholarship assistance by
completing the scholarship section of the course abroad registration
form. Scholarships are applicable to course tuition, not the
travel program fee. Financial aid applies in many cases and can even cover
travel costs in addition to tuition. Most programs offer coursework that
satisfies the International requirement of the general education program
and do not require foreign language proficiency.
The majority of students who participate in courses taught abroad have
never traveled outside the United States. You travel as a group with other
enrolled students and are accompanied at all times. The credit earned is
regular CCSU credit, and, unlike transfer credit, you earn a letter grade.
If you are considering participation in a course abroad
program, or even if you think it’s something that you might do in the near
future, begin now by making sure your passport has not expired or, if you
don’t have one, inquire at the Center for International Education about
acquiring one. Also meet with the faculty member(s) leading the program
you are interested in to learn more about the academic requirements,
expectations, and itinerary. It is also critical that you talk with your
academic advisor to find out which courses you still need to take and
whether a course abroad will fit into your academic program.
If you’re not sure you can afford to participate in a course abroad
program, be sure to talk with your financial aid advisor, apply early for
scholarships offered through the Center for International Education, and
contact other organizations you may be affiliated with (i.e., Student
Government Association, employer, civic or religious organizations, etc. )
to find out whether they have any scholarship funds for which you may
qualify.
Still not sure if participating in a course abroad is
for you? If so, consider the following reasons to participate: overseas
experience that complements your coursework will enhance your resume; you
may realize that you want to pursue a career with a multinational or
foreign-based firm; you might discover you have the ability to learn a
foreign language quickly by immersing yourself in the country’s culture;
and the opportunity to meet new people and experience different ways of
life may change your perspective completely. Lastly, it’s only two to five
weeks long! |
