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FAQ

You can go almost anywhere you want! We have summer programs in Europe, Asia, Africa, South America, the Caribbean, and Australia. We also have Semester and Academic Year programs available on every continent! 
Our Summer study abroad programs offer a full range of lower- and upper-level courses toledothat may satisfy your core, major, minor, or upper-level elective requirements.

To check out this coming summer's programs led by GC faculty, visit our Featured Programs page.  For summer programs with our partners, use the Advanced Search page, and enter "summer" for the Term. You can also search by key word using the Program Discovery.

Contact your GC academic advisor for advice on selecting courses that align with your degree progression and other academic or professional goals.

On Semester and Academic Year programs, students usually take upper-level courses that satisfy major requirements. Occasionally, students are able to take upper-level courses outside the major for elective or minor studies credit. For more detailed information about the courses being offered, please visit the web site of the university where you are interested in studying, and speak with your study abroad adviser.
At Georgia College we categorize programs into two primary groups - short term and long term. Short-term programs run anywhere from 1 - 6 weeks and occur predominantly during the summer. These programs typically combine classroom instruction with an international context that offers a rich background for discussion and intercultural experiences. Students are taught by Georgia College faculty in locations all around the world. Field trips and excursions are included.  Long-term programs provide students the opportunity to study at a university overseas for a semester or full academic year with the advantage of immersing themselves in a different culture and possibly a foreign language. 

Georgia College runs approximately 15 - 20 short-term, GC faculty-led programs annually and collaborates with the University System of Georgia to offer another 8 - 10 short-term program options. Georgia College has a growing number of exchange relationships with universities abroad where students can spend a semester or year studying courses associated with their major or minor. Additionally, Georgia College collaborates with several high-quality external organizations to provide additional opportunities to our students. More details for each opportunity can be found through the program search.

Drop-In Info Sessions at 2PM during the school year in the International Education Center. Weekly info sessions begin the second week of classes each semester. No appointment is needed. Bring your questions about programs, courses, scholarships for study abroad, international internships - whatever!

You may also email studyabroadinfo@gcsu.edu - or call 478-445- 4789 - to schedule an individual appointment.

When setting up an appointment, let us know your major and the semester (summer, fall, spring, full academic year) and the year you want to study abroad.
There are a couple of options outside of studying abroad in the traditional sense. Two major - and increasingly popular - options are service learning and internships abroad. Both of these opportunities are available through GC and/or our third-party providers. More details for each opportunity can be found through the program search or by emailing studyabroadinfo@gcsu.edu.
Any degree-seeking Georgia College student 18 years old or above who is in good standing (including both academic and disciplinary status), has completed one semester at GCSU, and holds a minimum GPA of 2.0 is eligible to participate in GCSU short-term, faculty-led, study abroad programs.
- To participate in semester and academic year programs (including exchange), students must have declared a major, completed at least 60 credits and (for most programs) have a minimum GPA of 2.50.  Note that GPA requirements may vary, depending upon the program.
Drop-in info sessions are held during the school year on Tuesdays at 2PM in the International Education Center. Weekly info sessions begin the second week of classes each Fall and Spring semester.  No appointment is needed. This is the next step in making your international experience a reality. Bring your questions about programs, courses, scholarships for study abroad, international internships, whatever!

You may also schedule an individual appointment.  Just email studyabroadinfo@gcsu.edu - or call 478-445- 4789 - to schedule an appointment with a member of the IEC staff. When setting up an appointment, kindly let us know your major and the semester (summer, fall, spring, full academic year) and the year you want to study abroad.

If you have already attended an Info Session or Drop-in Advising, set up an appointment with one of our Study Abroad advisors!  Email studyabroadinfo@gcsu.edu or call 478-445-4789 to set up an appointment.
AUS snorkelling w TurlesFor short-term/summer programs, you simply need to select your program of choice through the Search function on this site, submit the online application by logging in with your Unify username and password. You will then be prompted to pay a deposit and/or application fee online and complete some questionnaires. Most programs also require several uploaded documents or additional steps. Please note - your application will not be accepted, and a seat on the program will not be reserved for you until you have paid the deposit or application fee!

For Semester and Academic Year programs, you will need to submit a GC online application and also complete the application for your proposed host university or program. You can search semester and year programs using the Advanced Search page. After starting the application, you will need to arrange for an interview with the Study Abroad Advisor in the International Education Center, pay all required application fees and/or deposits, pay insurance fees, complete the course approval form, arrange for a language evaluation (if required), and more steps. This process from start to finish takes much longer than applying for a summer program.  We recommend beginning the search and application process for a semester experience at least six months in advance.
That depends on what kind of program you are applying for. 
-- GC Faculty-led summer program applications are due generally by January 20th. 
-- Summer programs with our partners are mostly due around March 1
-- Fall semester applications are usually due by March 1
-- Spring semester applications are due by October 1.
-- Full academic year applications are generally due by March 1.
Oftentimes, we are able to add students from the wait-list to the program as other accepted students begin to withdraw. In the instance that we cannot accommodate you, you would be eligible for a full refund of your deposit.
Georgia College Students: victoria falls
To return to your application to pay deposits/installments and finish up the remaining steps go to gcsu-sa.terradotta.com.  Use the LOGIN button in the upper right corner.  Then click "GC Login" to sign in through UNIFY. Once logged in, you will be routed to your Applicant Home, where you will see your existing application. If you have multiple applications (for a program and also a study abroad scholarship, for example) you will see all applications listed.  Click on the link for the application you wish to continue working on. Contact studyaboadinfo@gcsu.edu if you need assistance.

Non-Georgia College Students:
To return to your application to pay deposits/installments and finish up the remaining steps go to gcsu-sa.terradotta.com.  Use the LOGIN button in the upper right corner.  Then click "Non-GC Login" to sign in with your GC application portal credentials. Once logged in, you will be routed to your Applicant Home, where you will see your existing application. If you have multiple applications (for a program and also a study abroad scholarship, for example) you will see all applications listed.  Click on the link for the application you wish to continue working on. 
 
Contact studyaboadinfo@gcsu.edu if you need assistance.
YES! It is required. Insurance is included in the cost of all GC faculty-led study abroad programs and also many of our partner programs. If insurance is not included in the cost of your program, we will advise you on how to arrange for insurance at a cost ranging from $40 to $60 per month of study abroad, depending on your program. This insurance covers emergency medical care while abroad as well as medical evacuation, medical reunion, and repatriation of remains while traveling internationally.
For most short-term programs, there is a program fee that will incorporate most travel and in-country expenses. This program fee is paid separately from tuition. The program fee will be paid directly to Georgia College or other hosting institutions.
- In the case of Georgia College faculty-led programs, the program fee will typically be broken into several installments (a deposit, which secures a seat on the program, and the remaining portion).
- The program fee will be paid online via the application site or by cash or check directly to the International Education Center. Failure to pay installments by the due dates will result in cancellation from the study abroad program. Only in an exceptional case, e.g., an extremely adverse exchange rate, will the cost of the program be increased beyond what is listed on the application.
- In the unlikely event, the International Education Center finds it necessary to cancel a program before the start date, every attempt will be made to give a full refund. Refunds are subject to the status of payments and contracts to vendors on behalf of the student for program-related activities. If unforeseen events require the shortening of a program after arrival in-country, the International Education Center will determine an equitable, prorated refund.
- After the application deadline, any money already spent on a student’s behalf for transportation, accommodations or program costs and support cannot be refunded. Further, the International Education Center will not be able to refund money that is contractually due to service providers including, but not limited to, airlines, travel agencies, and service providers.
This depends on the program. Each program has its own published deadlines. For GC faculty-led study abroad program fees, you can pay online through your program's GC online application. Programs hosted by other institutions have different payment processes and requirements. Please read the program details carefully. If you have questions about this or if you need to pay for GC study abroad program fees by check, please email studyabroadinfo@gcsu.edu.
YES! The HOPE and Zell Miller scholarships will pay for the tuition portion of most approved study abroad programs. Your financial aid package (grants, loans, and other scholarships) may assist with the rest of the costs. In addition, you may apply for Georgia College study abroad scholarships.  There are many other study abroad scholarships available through outside organizations. Check out our Scholarships and Funding resources page for more information. Once you decide on your study abroad program, you will need to set up an appointment with your GC Financial Aid Advisor to learn how your financial aid will be applied.
Yes! Georgia College offers a variety of study abroad scholarships.
No. Most Georgia College students who study abroad are taking classes in English. Nearly all of our summer and short-term programs are taught by University System of Georgia faculty and are taught in English. Most of our Semester and Academic Year programs offer the option of taking courses in English or the language of the country. While foreign language skills might make it easier to adapt, it is certainly not necessary for most of our programs. For more specific information about the program of your choice, contact the International Education Center.
Let us help you!  Just email studyabroadinfo@gcsu.edu - or call 478-445- 4789 - to schedule an appointment with a member of the IEC staff. When setting up an appointment, kindly let us know your major and the semester (summer, fall, spring, full academic year) and the year you want to study abroad.

Between Georgia College-administered programs and affiliated organizations, there are over 500 programs from which to choose. If we still can't find one that is academically appropriate and personally interesting, we can look to a variety of other organizations for additional options. Please keep in mind, however, that working with outside organizations can mean that HOPE and Federal Financial Aid may not be applicable to your program of choice.
First, find out if that program is open to non-GC students by contacting studyabroadinfo@gcsu.edu. You need to submit an application to Georgia College. Additionally, you should submit the application to the program of your choice with the appropriate deposit. Don't forget to check with your academic adviser and financial aid office to make sure credit will transfer back and that any aid you are eligible to receive is applied to the program. Visit admissions to learn about the Transient Admissions process at GC.

PLEASE NOTE: Studying abroad through Georgia College for a Summer program is typically not a problem. There are only a few summer GC faculty-led programs that do not allow non-GC students. However, Georgia College does not currently accept transient students on Semester or Academic Year programs.
While safety can never be guaranteed (whether in Milledgeville, Atlanta or overseas), Georgia College and the University System of Georgia keep abreast of all Department of State directives and watch for travel advisories to all countries where study abroad programs are located. Our faculty and staff have received appropriate information and training to help assure the safety of students and follow all security and reporting measures to the best of their ability. If Georgia College decides to cancel a study abroad program, program fees will be refunded to the fullest extent possible.

The U.S. Department of State Student Abroad website offers a lot of useful information about travel safety for education abroad.
Yes! As a supporter of Mobility International USA (MIUSA), we encourage and provide support to students with disabilities.  Any student at Georgia College can study abroad!  If you have a disability and are concerned about studying abroad, just talk to one of our study abroad advisors about your desires and how we can best meet your needs. 
Possibly! Many programs allow students to arrange their own flights which potentially allows students to arrive in the country early or stay after the program ends for personal travel. It also depends on the country and their visa requirements. Contact your program advisor with your questions before making any concrete arrangements.
For more details regarding COVID-19 and study abroad, please see our COVID-19 FAQ