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how to study abroad: faqs

Frequently Asked Questions

The Center for Global Education at George Mason University serves as the premier clearing house for global exchanges and international education. The Center for Global Education offers a full range of professional services, including short-term, semester/year long, honors study abroad, internationally themed internships and intensive language programs.

Here are some answers to commonly asked questions.

1. What is the Center for Global Education?
2. When should I study abroad? Who is eligible to study abroad?
3. Where can I study abroad?
4. When should I start?
5. How do I find study abroad programs? What should I consider when choosing a study abroad program?
6. After I have chosen a program, how do I apply?
7. How much do study abroad programs cost?
8. Can I apply my financial aid?
9. Does Mason offer study abroad scholarships?
10. What does the study abroad administrative fee cover?
11. Will my credits transfer?
12. Will my grades transfer?
13. How do I register for my semester when I've completed studying abroad and return to Mason? Do I register myself for my courses abroad?
14. How do I reserve on-campus housing for my return to Mason?
15. What is the refund policy of the Center for Global Education?
16. Do I need health insurance to study abroad?
17. Can I study abroad if I am under medical or psychiatric care?
18. Can I drive while overseas?
19. What if I disagree with the grade I receive from a George Mason Faculty Director?
20. Does my passport need to be valid for a specific period of time to travel to certain countries?

 

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1. WHAT IS THE CENTER FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION? [back to top]
The Center for Global Education at George Mason University provides a wide array of study abroad opportunities for George Mason students, students from other institutions and the general public. The Center for Global Educations offers short-term study programs, international internships, honors study abroad, semester and year long programs, and intensive language programs.

 

2. WHEN SHOULD I STUDY ABROAD? WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO STUDY ABROAD?[back to top]
All students are eligible to study abroad. When you choose to study abroad will depend on your academic program requirements and your education abroad goals. Most students study abroad during their junior year. However, more sophomores and seniors are taking advantage of the experience. Some complete general education requirements abroad before the requirements of their major take hold of their schedule. Others complete major credits or electives.

The Center for Global Education's short-term study programs offered during the winter, spring and summer breaks are open to George Mason University students, staff, faculty, and alumni, as well as to other university students and the general public. Participants must have at least a 2.25 overall GPA prior to departure to participate in a program for academic credit. Some short-term programs allow you to fulfill your general education language requirement. It's a great way to earn 1 to 12 George Mason credits quickly while seeing the world!

You must have earned at least 45 semester credits (George Mason University or Transfer) to participate on a semester/year long program. If you are concerned about participating in graduation or graduating on time it is preferable not to study abroad during the last semester before graduation.

GPA requirements are as follow:

• 2.25 or above cumulative GPA for most Center short-term study tours
• 2.50 or above cumulative GPA for most direct exchanges, semesters & internship programs
• 3.50 for undergraduates and 3.80 for graduate students or above cumulative GPA for Oxford Honors program. To check eligibility requirements for a specific program check the program page Study Abroad Programs.

 

3. WHERE CAN I STUDY ABROAD? [back to top]
The world is within your reach! Mason offers a wide array of study abroad programs worldwide, both short-term and semester/year long. You should first attend a “Study Abroad 101” information session at the Center for Global Education to find out about your options. If you have an academic need not addressed by the Center's programs you can join any properly accredited study abroad program.

 

4. WHEN SHOULD I START? [back to top]
The earlier the better! You should definitely start researching 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 study tours, 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.

 

5. HOW DO I FIND STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS? WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM? [back to top]
You should first attend a Center for Global Education Study Abroad 101 information session to get an overview on your study abroad options and application procedures. Sessions are offered at our Center a couple times a week at various times. If you are considering a program that is not a Mason program, you can use our Center for Global Education Resource Library and look through the informational binders and study abroad resource guides, in particular the Peterson's Guide for Study Abroad and the Academic Year Abroad. Another option is to visit IIEPassport.org or StudyAbroad.com, which is the largest database of study abroad programs offered through US institutions.

You should consider the following in thinking about choosing a study abroad program:

• Type of program: Study program? Internship?
• Language: Full immersion? Some foreign language? Mostly in English?
• Housing: Home stay? Residence Halls? Apartments?
• Independence: How much does the sponsoring institution provide? Do they arrange everything? Is there a contact here? How much am I going to be on my own?
• Cost: What can I afford? What services do I want them to provide?
• Credits: Will the program offer credits that I can apply towards my degree (major, minor, emphasis or concentration, general education) requirements? If a non-Mason program, is the program/university accredited and will I receive an official transcript upon completion of the 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?
• Instruction type: Taught in a foreign language or in English? With primarily U.S. students? With foreign students? By U.S. professors? Host country professors?

 

 

6. AFTER I HAVE CHOSEN A PROGRAM, HOW DO I APPLY? [back to top]
If you are applying for a Mason program, you will need to make an appointment with the Program Officer responsible for the program to go over the application procedures and get the necessary forms. Consult the How to Study Abroad section of our website for detailed instructions.

If you are applying for program administered by another institution, you will need to make an appointment with the program officer responsible for the Non-Mason Program process. Please see the program page for more information.

 

7. HOW MUCH DO STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS COST? [back to top]
The cost to study abroad varies greatly depending on the type of program, the length of program and where the program is located. Some programs will be comparable to studying on campus for a semester. Others will be more expensive. Students should look carefully at the elements included in the program and where the program is and not just the published program fee.

See our section entitled Keys to Financing Study Abroad for more information.

 

8. CAN I APPLY MY FINANCIAL AID? [back to top]
Yes. Most financial aid can be applied to programs sponsored by U.S. accredited institutions including Mason's programs. Make sure you speak with a Financial Aid counselor early in the application process to give yourself enough time for the aid to be processed. See our Keys to Financing Study Abroad page for other hints.

 

9. DOES MASON OFFER STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS? [back to top]
Yes. While there are limited scholarships through Mason for study abroad there are outside sources for scholarships which we encourage you to research. The key is to start looking early! A list of Center for Global Education scholarships can be found on our Keys to Financing Study Abroad page.

 

10. WHAT DOES THE STUDY ABROAD ADMIN FEE COVER? [back to top]
The Center for Global Education charges an administrative fee which enables the self-supporting Center to run its operation and provide quality study abroad opportunities. The admin fee covers the costs of time and labor associated with administering study abroad programs across the board (i.e., study abroad mailings, advising, publications, marketing, staffing, study abroad special registration, transfer of study abroad credits, foreign transcript evaluation, coordination with numerous Mason units, orientations, program development and many other related administrative costs).

 

11. WILL MY STUDY ABROAD CREDITS TRANSFER? [back to top]
Yes, but within the following guidelines:

• Courses MUST be pre-approved by your department and dean (get the appropriate form from the Center for Global Education)
• Courses must be for graded credit
• You must receive a “C” or higher to earn undergraduate credit or a B or higher for graduate credit.
• You must study abroad at an accredited institution

 

12. WILL GRADES TRANSFER? [back to top]
Yes and no. Grades only transfer if you are going on a Center for Global Education program with a Faculty Director who serves as the "Instructor of Record". The short term summer, spring break and winter programs all provide this kind of credit called resident credit. A few semester programs, including the Oxford Honors program, also offer resident credit.

In the case of Direct Exchange, Semester programs without a George Mason faculty director or non-Mason programs — no. Grades will show up on your host university transcript but will not be averaged into your Mason GPA. You will receive credit hours towards your graduation and you still need to receive a “C” or higher to transfer undergraduate credits or a “B” or higher to transfer graduate credits. This is referred to as transfer credit.

 

13. HOW DO I REGISTER FOR MY SEMESTER WHEN I'VE COMPLETED STUDY ABROAD AND RETURN TO MASON? [back to top]
While you are overseas on your study abroad program, it is your responsibility to check the Mason web for the upcoming schedule of classes and register for your next semester back by either using patriotweb from overseas or having a friend or family member register you from the U.S. If you do not have access to the Internet while overseas please make arrangements to have a friend or family member register you for classes.

The Center for Global Education will register for your semester(s) abroad. Do not sign up for classes during the period you are going to be studying overseas.

 

14. HOW DO I RESERVE ON-CAMPUS HOUSING FOR MY RETURN TO MASON? [back to top]
It is YOUR responsibility to contact the Mason 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.

 

15. WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY OF THE CENTER FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION? [back to top]
See cancellation policy page.

 

16. DO I NEED HEALTH INSURANCE TO STUDY ABROAD? [back to top]
Yes, students must be fully covered with comprehensive health insurance in order to study abroad. Students 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 getting travel insurance valid for the duration of their study abroad program. See the Additional Resources page for information on purchasing insurance.

 

17. CAN I STUDY ABROAD IF I AM UNDER MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC CARE? [back to top]
The Center for Global Education does not discriminate against students who are currently under medical or psychiatric care. Students under medical or psychiatric care are required to disclose their medical condition on the online application and provide their Program Officer with a Student Medical Evaluation completed by their physician or mental health care provider. This information will remain confidential. The document is used as a precautionary measure to ensure the safety of the student and the group.

 

18. CAN I DRIVE WHILE OVERSEAS? [back to top]
Due to the major liability this entails, we ask that participants on all programs refrain from driving any motorized vehicle while abroad. All participants sign the Motorized Vehicle Agreement form at pre-departure orientation.

 

19. WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH THE GRADE I RECEIVE FROM A GEORGE MASON FACULTY DIRECTOR? [back to top]
The Center for Global Education cannot facilitate a dispute regarding grades posted by Faculty Directors. To appeal a grade for a study abroad program with a Mason faculty member, follow the procedures from the Mason Academic Policies website.

 

20. DOES MY PASSPORT NEED TO BE VALID FOR A SPECIFIC PERIOD OF TIME TO TRAVEL TO CERTAIN COUNTRIES? [back to top]
To be on the safe side while traveling on any program you should make sure you have a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months from your return date to the US. Some countries will not issue visas or stamp passports if they expire before 6 months.