Georgetown University Study Abroad Programs: A World of Opportunities

Georgetown University offers a diverse array of study abroad programs, facilitating undergraduate credit-bearing opportunities across the globe. Each year, approximately 900 Georgetown students venture to over 40 countries to earn academic credit. These programs cater to varied student needs and academic interests, providing transformative experiences that broaden perspectives and foster intercultural understanding. The Office of Global Education (OGE) serves as a central resource, guiding students through every step of their study abroad journey, from initial advising to application procedures and risk management.

Types of Study Abroad Programs

Georgetown provides several types of study abroad programs, each with unique characteristics and benefits:

Georgetown-Affiliated Programs

These programs offer study abroad transfer credits and include:

Direct Enrollment: Students enroll directly in an approved foreign university as visiting students for a semester or full academic year. They attend classes alongside local and other international students, fostering cultural immersion and academic exchange. Direct enrollment programs will provide students with the best option for cultural immersion, especially in English-speaking countries, and in countries in which the language of instruction is French, German, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian. Students are encouraged to enroll in direct enrollment programs in English-speaking countries, and in countries in which the language of instruction is French, German, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian.
Program Provider: Georgetown partners with a variety of organizations that provide education abroad services to students from various institutions. These programs can be short or long-term and may include options for direct enrollment at a local university, along with courses developed specifically for visiting students. Some have specific thematic or discipline-based learning outcomes, while others are more general.

The grades earned on these programs are reflected on the Georgetown transcript but are not factored into the Georgetown GPA. However, they are eligible for credit towards certain curricular requirements at Georgetown.

Georgetown-Administered Programs

These programs offer Georgetown credits that compute into the Georgetown GPA and include:

Faculty-Led Programs: Typically shorter in duration, these programs are developed and taught in collaboration with Georgetown faculty members. Coursework on these programs offers Georgetown credit and is well integrated into department and school curricula, sometimes even embedded into a specific Main Campus course. The majority of Georgetown faculty-led summer programs are coordinated and administered by a Georgetown faculty member and the Office of Global Education. The faculty member accompanies students overseas and serves as a point of contact for emergencies, plans the program’s cultural events and excursions, and teaches or supervises course instruction at foreign host universities.
Living and Learning Communities: These programs provide a unique residential experience where students take Georgetown courses abroad as a cohort. Georgetown University in Florence: Villa Le Balze is a living-learning community where you take Georgetown courses abroad. The Villa hosts visiting faculty from the main campus and other universities each semester and offers different course options each semester. In addition to their academic course load, Villa Le Balze programs challenge students to reflect on the individual and shared experience of living abroad, and to cultivate a sense of community among their peers as well as a new cultural environment.
Georgetown University in Doha, Qatar: Georgetown’s international campus in Doha, Qatar, accepts visiting students for a semester or summer term. Students have the opportunity to take Georgetown courses alongside degree-seeking students. Grades earned on these programs are factored into a student’s Georgetown GPA. Students join an international community that remains distinctly Georgetown.

Specialized Programs

In addition to the general program types, Georgetown offers specialized programs tailored to specific academic areas or student needs:

Area Studies Programs: These programs are generally located in countries where students do not have the opportunity to directly enroll in a local university because the host country language is not taught at Georgetown (or is not offered at a high enough level). Students on these programs generally focus on a subject area and take content courses in English along with one host country language course.
Business Programs: These programs are designed for students enrolled in the McDonough School of Business (MSB). Some are open only to MSB students, while others have classes available to business students and those from other schools such as the SFS and the College. Students who participate in these programs have the opportunity to take courses toward their MSB degree while abroad.
Language Programs: These programs are offered to students who may not be prepared for direct enrollment at a foreign university. They are generally offered in smaller cities that allow for greater cultural immersion and language practice. Students on these programs will mainly focus on language acquisition and will have the opportunity to further develop their reading, writing, and speaking skills in the host country’s language. Thematic programs are taught in English and cover a wide range of contemporary topics, while language programs combine the latest methods of foreign language pedagogy with all the benefits of linguistic and cultural immersion abroad.
Nursing Programs: These programs are offered to students in Georgetown’s School of Nursing. These programs offer the clinical component necessary for you to receive transfer credit toward your degree.
Service Learning Programs: Programs with service learning courses offer the opportunity to work with underserved communities as part of study abroad. Course objectives and community work are integrated. The aim of service learning courses is to allow you to gain a deeper understanding of the host culture while facilitating an in-depth perspective on course content through these experiences.

Eligibility and Application

To be eligible for study abroad, students must be in good academic and disciplinary standing at Georgetown University or their home university. Students must maintain a strong, consistent academic record and meet the academic standards set forth by the University. To remain in good standing, a student must exhibit a history of good citizenship and student conduct. Students are not eligible to participate in a study abroad program while on active disciplinary probation. It is important to remember that all nominations are inherently conditional. A significant decline in academic performance or a disciplinary sanction prior to departure may render a student ineligible for study abroad. If a student does not meet one or more of the requirements set forth in the program brochure, he/she may submit an Eligibility Addendum Form (EAF) to provide more information for the selection committee. Students should begin the advising and application process early if they intend to submit an EAF. Students are also strongly encouraged to review their written EAF proposal with their curricular dean for input and advice. Submission of this form does not guarantee approval for study abroad.

The application process typically involves:

Recommendations: Most summer program applications require two recommendations. Depending on your program the type of recommendations required may vary (ie language programs require one Language Assessment Recommendation and one Academic/General Recommendation while other programs require two Academic/General Recommendations). The types of recommendations that your program requires will be indicated in your application in myGUABROAD. One of your two recommendations must come from a professor who has taught you. The best letters will come from people who know you well and who can provide detailed comments about your academic work, and who can speak to how well-suited you are for the study abroad program you have selected. The second recommendation should speak to your character, maturity, and ability to function in a new and challenging environment. This person could be a professor, but does not have to be. Supervisors, high school teachers, coaches, etc. The Language Assessment is not a recommendation, but rather an assessment meant to gauge your linguistic and cultural preparedness to function effectively abroad. The Language Assessment will ask your instructor to evaluate your linguistic preparedness in all competencies (reading, writing, listening, and speaking) as they pertain to your intended program. You should seek a language assessment from your most recent language instructor, as he/she can most accurately assess your current skills as part of the application process. The second recommendation should speak to your character, maturity, and ability to function in a new and challenging environment. This person could be a professor, but does not have to be. Supervisors, high school teachers, coaches, etc. are other possibilities. You may not ask the same person to write both a general recommendation and a language assessment. When possible, you contact your recommender at least four weeks prior to your program’s application deadline to ask if they would be willing to write a recommendation for you. OGE suggests that you provide your recommender with a resume and/or a copy of your statement of academic intent to provide an overview of your activities, experiences and academic goals. This will give your recommender a better understanding of why you have chosen your particular program. When you open an online application, you will see a section titled “Recommendations”. Use the keywords box to enter the last name or GU NetID of your recommender. The system is linked to the Georgetown directory and will automatically locate the contact information for GU faculty. The recommender will complete and submit the form online.
Material Submissions: All material submissions must be turned in to the Summer Programs staff at the Office of Global Education by 5:00PM on the application deadline. They may include any program-specific materials. Transfer students must submit an official transcript from their previous institution, and non-Georgetown students must submit an official transcript from their current institution. All students applying to GU summer programs should be in good academic and disciplinary standing. Additional program requirements can be found on each program’s webpage. Additionally, applicants are expected to be in good academic standing at Georgetown University or their home university.
Language Assessment: Different programs have varying levels of prerequisite language study. Some programs, particularly those where students directly matriculate and take courses alongside local university students, presuppose that participants have a high level in the language upon arrival. If not, which competencies do you feel this student needs to improve in this regard?

Financial Considerations

As participants in OGE programs, students remain matriculated at Georgetown University for the term they are enrolled and are thus eligible to apply financial aid toward the costs of OGE programs. Students studying abroad for a semester or academic year are billed Georgetown tuition. The tuition payment does not cover the additional costs of living abroad such as transportation, meals, housing, passport/visa fees, insurance, or personal expenses. Fees for short-term programs are determined on an annual basis and include academic fees, room and partial board, program-organized excursions, and mandatory supplemental health insurance.

Costs for study abroad programs vary, depending on your destination(s) and length of time you spend abroad. Each program is unique and may include many of the expenses listed above; however, many programs have additional expenses beyond the listed program price. Students typically do NOT pay Georgetown College tuition or fees while abroad (exceptions apply for students going abroad on a Georgetown College program). Financial Aid is typically not available for summer or winter term programs. However, students may typically use their federal and/or state aid for a semester or academic year abroad.

Safety and Support

Studying away from Georgetown’s campus involves inherent and sometimes complex risks. OGE is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and productive learning experience for every student pursuing an educational experience through our office. OGE provides guidance and expert consultation for all aspects of international programs including academic and program advising, program and partnership management, application and enrollment processes, risk management oversight, and business services.

Non-Georgetown Programs

Students may also consider non-Georgetown summer programs. Researching study abroad options on-line is relatively easy. IIE Passport is one of many popular sites where students can search for programs by region, subject, or time of year. In general, sites such as IIE Passport may be a good starting point for basic information, however, it is important to research each program thoroughly and contact the program provider directly. Students should be sure to receive a complete break-down of specific items covered by a program’s listed price. Some programs, for instance, may include airfare while others do not; some may provide full board, while others do not include meals. In some instances, students are able to use their GU financial aid toward the cost of non-GU programs, but these are rare. Please note that the information provided here does not reflect Georgetown’s sponsorship, endorsement, support, or approval of a student’s international travel plans. Its sole purpose is to assist students in learning about the steps involved in researching a non-Georgetown summer abroad program and determining eligibility for transfer credit for studies completed overseas during the summer.

The Georgetown College Experience

Georgetown College students have the opportunity to study abroad in more than 30 countries on programs lasting anywhere from two weeks to a full academic year. Programs are offered in nearly every academic area. The Office of International Programs strives to work with students interested in study abroad to create a personalized academic plan to match your interests.

A semester or academic year abroad is the traditional study abroad experience. You will have the opportunity to fully immerse yourself in the culture of your host country(ies) and be able to say you’ve lived abroad. Short term programs allow students to spend the Winter Term, May Term or a portion of their summer abroad. This option is perfect for students that are unable to spend an entire semester abroad due to athletic or academic commitments.

Yes, all Georgetown College students in good academic standing are eligible to study abroad. Programs approved by Georgetown College are designed for undergraduate credit. The requirements vary slightly between programs. The typical requirement is about a 2.5 GPA. You can choose to go a full academic year, fall or spring semester, winter break, or over the summer. Students who participate in semester or year length programs are usually juniors or seniors.

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Freshman and sophomore year is the best time to start thinking about studying abroad. Unlike juniors and seniors, freshmen and sophomores have more freedom in terms of classes they are taking. They also have many Core and Foundation credits that they need to earn toward their graduation. This makes studying abroad easier and more fun. Students are open to a variety of classes that they can take overseas and would still satisfy their graduation requirements.

Georgetown students may study in places all over the world! Note: Georgetown College policy prohibits students from studying abroad in countries with an active US State Department Travel Warning. No, you can take a program with courses taught in English. Yes, the credits earned will be transferred to Georgetown College, and count toward your graduation requirements.

Benefits of Studying Abroad

The benefits of international travel and study are numerous, and students are encouraged to find opportunities for study abroad while pursuing their Master’s in Democracy and Governance. Students are encouraged to enroll in direct enrollment programs in English-speaking countries, and in countries in which the language of instruction is French, German, Spanish, Portuguese or Italian. Direct enrollment programs will provide students with the best option for cultural immersion. The benefits of international travel and study are numerous, and students are encouraged to find opportunities for study abroad while pursuing their Master’s in Democracy and Governance.

Resources

Office of Global Education (OGE): The OGE is the primary resource for Georgetown students interested in study abroad. They provide advising, application support, and program information. A great resource for study abroad is Georgetown’s Office of Global Education. The Office of Global Education (OGE) develops and facilitates global academic programs, including study abroad and exchange, for Georgetown undergraduates. OGE provides guidance and expert consultation for all aspects of international programs including academic and program advising, program and partnership management, application and enrollment processes, risk management oversight, and business services. Students interested or planning to participate in an OGE program should begin by attending a Study Abroad 101 session to receive general information about program options, eligibility requirements, and application timelines and procedures.
IIE Passport: A popular online resource for searching for study abroad programs by region, subject, or time of year. Researching study abroad options on-line is relatively easy. IIE Passport is one of many popular sites where students can search for programs by region, subject, or time of year. In general, sites such as IIE Passport may be a good starting point for basic information, however, it is important to research each program thoroughly and contact the program provider directly.

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