1. Education Abroad 101: First Steps
Presented by CUABROAD
The Center for global education
The Catholic University Of America

2. What is CUAbroad? A unit of the Center for Global Education
Administers a variety of study and internship program options for US students abroad
Coordinates education abroad and exchange options within the university
Location:
McMahon Hall 110
Monday – Friday, 9am-5pm

3. Services we Provide Education abroad advising
Application review and approval
Course registration and credit transfer assistance
Weekly information sessions
Pre-departure orientations
International health & evacuation insurance
International Student ID Cards
Advice on obtaining visas
Re-entry programming

4. Benefits of Study Abroad
Academics:
Courses are available for all majors.
Fulfill degree requirements (major, minor, distribution, electives).
Unique experiences that enrich a student’s course of study, e.g. studying ecology in Costa Rica, business in Shanghai, or music in Vienna.
Career:
Demonstrates skills that employers value: flexibility, adaptability, interpersonal communication, organization, self-reliance, teamwork, etc. Can make a resume stand out, especially if it includes education abroad at a non-traditional destination.
Networking and international employment opportunities.

5. Additional Benefits Graduate School: Personal Growth:
Demonstrates a high degree of initiative.
Internships, field experience, volunteer, service learning or research opportunities.
Personal Growth:
Discover new places and meet new people.
Experience different cultures, politics and lifestyles.
Challenge one’s own world view.
Develop a more sophisticated understanding of what it means to be American in a global world.

6. Where can I study abroad?
28 countries on 5 continents across the globe.
Search by location or by discipline.
Programs are available for every major.
Over 75 affiliated program options to choose from including
Argentina, Australia, Austria, Belgium, Chile, China, Costa Rica, Cuba, Czech Republic, Ecuador, France, Germany, Greece, India, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Jordan, Mexico, Morocco, New Zealand, Poland, South Africa, Spain, UK

7. CUA in Rome : CUA’s Flagship Semester Program
Most Popular Program
CUA in Rome : CUA’s Flagship Semester Program

8. Popular with CUA Honors Students
Oxford Semester

9. What are the requirements to study abroad?
Short-Term & Summer Programs
Good academic and disciplinary standing
Minimum 2.3/2.5 GPA
Semester & Academic Year Programs
Minimum 2.3/2.5 GPA (many programs require higher)
Full-time student at the time of application
Completed at least 45 credits by the time program begins (exception: Rome Honors Track)
Language requirement: completed or have plan for completion
Additional Requirements
Vary by program, are listed on the program web page
Examples: higher minimum GPA, specific major, previous language experience, etc.

10. When can I study abroad? Spring Break: Summer: Semester:
As early as freshmen year or anytime after that
Summer:
Following freshman, sophomore, or junior year
Semester:
Second semester of sophomore year and after
Academic Year:
Sophomore or junior year

11. What types of programs does CUA offer?
Catholic University
Programs taught by our own professors and offering Catholic U credit. Examples include the CUA in Rome Semester and our faculty-led programs.
Exchange
Taught at a partner university and offering students a broad selection of courses.
Provider
Run by an organization that specializes in study abroad programs. Courses may be taught by the provider, at a local university, or in combination.
Internships
For-credit programs and courses offered during the summer or semester.

12. How much does it cost?
A semester abroad cost is surprisingly affordable
For students on CUA programs:
$125 Application fee
CUA Tuition (financial aid applies)
Program fee:
Usually $5,125 for a semester and $2,500 for a summer.
Covers the cost of housing, insurance, credit transfer, etc.
A $300 deposit on the program fee is required within 2 weeks of being accepted to the program.

13. Will my financial aid apply?
Grants, loans, and scholarships continue to apply as usual when attending an affiliated study abroad program.
Contact the Office of Financial Assistance for questions concerning financial aid.

14. Are there scholarships available?
Scholarships through CUA:
CUAbroad Autumn Advantage
CUAbroad Diversity Scholarship
Ambroggio Scholarship for Hispanics in Study Abroad
FYE Rome Scholarship
Crisafulli Fund: Language or Italian Studies majors.
Merkel Fund
Outside scholarships are posted on the CUAbroad website.
Partner programs may also offer scholarships.

15. What are the deadlines to apply?
CUA Programs:
October 1 (Spring Programs)
March 1 (Fall, Summer, & Academic Year Programs)
Exceptions:
Some programs have earlier application deadlines

16. Application Materials
CUAbroad online application
Credit Approval Form
Transcript
Passport Scan/Photocopy
$125 Application Fee
Program-specific materials: Resume, letter of recommendation, police clearance, etc.

17. How do I select a program?
Plan ahead! It is never too early to start.
Look for a program that fits your major and career objectives.
Consider various housing options.
Talk with past participants.
Consult both an education abroad advisor and your academic advisor on course selection.
Save some of your distribution courses & electives.
Be sure to discuss financial aid implications.
Research scholarship options.

18. How do I Contact CUAbroad?
Office of Education Abroad 110 McMahon Hall The Catholic University of America 620 Michigan Ave, NE Washington, DC Tel: Grace Schneider, Director of Education Abroad Robert Dowden, Education Abroad Advisor