StetsonAbroad

Frequently Asked Questions and Must-Read Information

Why should I study abroad?

• Study abroad is truly an experience of a lifetime. Most students who have spent a semester abroad rank the experience as one of the best, if not the best of their college experiences.
• At the foreign language study sites—Spain, France, Mexico, Germany, and Russia—most students can earn a minor in the language in one semester. You will also gain a level of fluency in the language that cannot be achieved in an American classroom. 
• Many employers list international experience among the top qualities sought in a job candidate. Even if the job does not have a direct international component, having studied abroad shows strength of character, ability to “think outside the box”, broad-mindedness, and global awareness. Having international experience, especially if you have second language skills, will give you an advantage over other applicants.
• You will gain a range of skills that will serve you for the rest of your life, such as maturity, independence, problem-solving, and self-reliance. You will deepen your understanding of yourself and the world. Many students return with a better idea of future goals.

 How should I start preparing for study abroad?

•  Apply for your passport as soon as possible. A U.S. passport is usually issued for 10 years, so even if you are not planning to go abroad this year, you should apply for your passport very soon. If you already have a passport, it must be valid for at least six months AFTER your anticipated return from study abroad. Some countries will not issue a visa if the passport expires less than six months after your return to the U.S. If your passport will be expiring before that six month period, you should apply for a renewal as soon as possible.
• Discuss your study abroad plans with your Academic Adviser and your parents (they will have to sign approvals when you apply).
• Set aside 15 lower level (100 and 200 level classes) elective credits in order to take them while abroad. It is much easier to find equivalents for low level electives abroad than for upper level major and minor requirements. See the section “When is the best time to study abroad?” for more details.
• Complete the application and submit it to the Center for International Education before the deadline.
• Talk with students who have studied in your program of interest. The Center for International Education can refer you to returned Stetson Abroad students.
• Learn as much as you can about the country. The internet, the library, returned Stetson Abroad students, and your professors are abundant sources of information. The Center for International Education has videos of some Stetson Abroad sites.
• If you are accepted to a Stetson Abroad program, you will be required to attend orientation sessions. These sessions are normally held on Sunday evenings between mid-October and early December for spring semester abroad students; or between mid-March and mid-April for fall semester and academic year abroad students. Attendance at all sessions is required. Students who do not attend all orientation sessions will be withdrawn from the Stetson Abroad program.

How do I qualify to study abroad?

• The requirements vary for each program. For semester-long Stetson Abroad Programs, contact the Center for International Education for specifics. Semester abroad programs are competitive and space is limited. Students who do not meet the minimum requirements will not be considered for the program. Such students are advised to contact the Director of the Center for International Education for information about alternative study abroad opportunities.

• Meeting the minimum requirements for a Stetson Abroad program is essential. However, meeting the requirements does not guarantee acceptance to a program. The program is competitive and space is limited. Fall semester is generally less competitive than spring semester, when the Center for International Education receives the bulk of its applications.  

 Can athletes study abroad?

 Maybe. Athletes must take a number of things into consideration when thinking about studying abroad:

• Will athletic scholarships apply to a study abroad program? This is a question for the athletics department.
• Will I be permitted to study abroad and continue competing in my sport? This is a question for the athletics department.
• Will my grades be transferred in time for me to compete upon my return? Probably not. It can take several months for study abroad grades to be reported to Stetson University and recorded on your Stetson transcript. This means that you may be ineligible for competition for several months after your return from study abroad.
• Will I be able to practice my sport while I’m abroad? Maybe. Athletics is not as much a part of college life in most countries as it is in the U.S. Sports facilities may not be available on or near your campus abroad. If sports facilities are available, they may be crowded, of poor quality, and expensive to use. It is up to the student to decide if they can forgo practicing the sport for a semester and to find and pay for athletic facilities in the host country.

 Can seniors study abroad?

•  Seniors can study on a Stetson Abroad program, but not on a non-Stetson program. For seniors wishing to study on a Stetson Abroad program there are a number of issues that should be taken into consideration:
• Will the Academic Adviser and Senior Research Adviser permit the student to do his/her senior research abroad?
• Does the student wish to participate in the graduation ceremony? This will not be possible, as study abroad programs end after the Stetson graduation has taken place. Students may not return to the U.S. to attend graduation and return to the study site to complete the semester.
• Is it essential for the student to graduate on time? This will not be possible, as it can take several months for grades from the study abroad program to be reported to and processed by Stetson University.

When is the best time to study abroad?

 Freshman will not be accepted into the Stetson Abroad program. 

• You may study abroad in your sophomore, junior or senior year. You can study abroad in the fall or spring semesters, or during summer or winter breaks. The semester abroad programs are competitive and space is limited. Meeting the qualifications for a program does not guarantee that a student will be accepted to a program. Fall semester is generally less competitive than spring semester, when the Center for International Education receives the bulk of its applications.
• Planning ahead for study abroad is very important. The earlier you begin planning and discussing your options with your Academic Adviser, the more likely you are to have a positive experience. Good planning is essential to meeting your graduation requirements. When to go abroad depends on your academic goals and your level of maturity.

If you study abroad in your sophomore year

• It may be easier to get the type of classes that you need because you probably still have a number of elective courses you need to fulfill. It is not always possible to enroll in courses abroad that are directly equivalent to Stetson courses. Flexibility is essential in study abroad and elective course requirements are often easier to fulfill abroad.
• On the other hand, many students do not feel ready to go abroad in their sophomore year, and some do not have the maturity to cope with the challenges of studying thousands of miles from home. Maturity and readiness for study abroad are essential to having a successful experience. “Saving” 15 credits of lower level elective credits for your semester abroad is a very good way to ensure that you will get credit abroad that counts toward graduation.

If you study abroad in your junior year

• You may be more mature but you may have less course flexibility because you are starting your upper level major and minor course work by this time. All students are advised to set aside 15 credits of lower level elective courses, if possible, until the semester abroad. This offers students a great deal of flexibility with regards to course enrollment abroad.

If you study abroad in your senior year

• Again, you may have problems fulfilling upper division and major course requirements. All students are advised to set aside 15 credits of lower level elective courses, if possible, until the semester abroad. This offers students a great deal of flexibility with regards to course enrollment abroad.

Semester dates at foreign universities are usually quite different from those in the U.S. Furthermore, it often takes several months to receive and process grades from abroad. Students who go abroad in their final semester of their senior year at Stetson are not able to participate in their graduation ceremony and will graduate the semester after completion of the study abroad program. If it is important to you to graduate on time or to participate in the graduation ceremony, studying abroad in your final semester is not an option.

The ability to complete the Senior Research project while abroad must be taken into consideration and discussed with your Academic Adviser and Senior Research Supervisor.

Regardless of when you decide to study abroad, it is important to start planning as soon as possible. Set aside as many lower level elective courses as possible and take them during the semester abroad. Be sure that you let your Academic Adviser know of your study abroad plans as soon as possible so that you can discuss the most appropriate time to be away for a full semester.

What is the admissions process?                            

All applicants’ qualifications are reviewed by the International Programs Council.  Once approved by the IPC, nominations are forwarded to the Council of Deans for confirmation. Space in the Stetson Abroad program is limited. Students who do not meet all minimum requirements will not be accepted to the program. Such students are advised to contact the Director of the Center for International Education for information about alternative programs abroad. Meeting the requirements of the program does not guarantee acceptance. Furthermore, all acceptances are conditional; the applicant must maintain good health, good conduct, and satisfactory academic performance both before and after acceptance to the program.  

Can I study abroad more than once?

Maybe. On a space available basis, Stetson permits students to study on a Stetson Abroad program for up to two semesters and earn up to 30 credits abroad.  When space is available, students may spend a full year at one study abroad site, or they may spend one semester at one site and another semester at a different site.  Students may study at Oxford University and the University of Edinburgh for only one semester regardless of enrollment. Students are advised that space is very limited in Stetson Abroad programs and approval of a second semester abroad is infrequent. Students who are approved for a second semester abroad immediately following the first semester abroad, must take into consideration visa extension issues and academic calendar differences among other things.

 Where can I study abroad?

 Stetson University encourages students to study abroad on both Stetson programs and non-Stetson programs.

 Semester-long Stetson Abroad programs include

Universidad de Guanajuato in Guanajuato, Mexico (Spanish language program)

Universidad Carlos III in Madrid, Spain (Spanish language program)

Université d’Avignon in Avignon, France (French language program)

University of Edinburgh, Scotland (courses taught in English)

Pädagogische Hochschule in Freiburg, Germany (German language program)

Moscow State University in Moscow, Russia (Russian language program)

Hong Kong Baptist University in Hong Kong, China (courses taught in English)

Oxford University in Oxford, England (courses taught in English)

Summer Stetson University programs

Four weeks of intensive Spanish language in Guanajuato, Mexico (contact 822-8165 for details)

Four weeks in Freiburg, Germany (courses taught in English—contact 822-7280 for details)

Six weeks in Innsbruck, Austria (courses taught in English—contact 822-7394 for details)

Off Campus Programs may run during summer or winter breaks. These programs are organized by professors and vary    each year (courses taught in English—contact 822-8166 for details)

Stetson Internships Abroad

Three-week internship for Latin American Studies majors and minors in various Latin American countries (contact 822-   7281 for details)

Three-week internship in Guatemala focusing on the environment and community development (contact 822-7575 for details)

Non-Stetson Study Abroad Programs

Stetson students who do not qualify for a Stetson Abroad program or who have an interest in studying in a country or program other than those offered by Stetson University, may visit the Center for International Education to request our leaflet explaining the approval process for participation in a non-Stetson study abroad program, and for information about study abroad programs worldwide. Stetson University will only award transfer credit for participation in non-Stetson Abroad programs, and only if the program is approved in advance of the student's departure from the U.S. Stetson scholarships cannot be used for non-Stetson Abroad programs, but state and federal financial aid may be applicable to approved programs. Students cannot participate in a non-Stetson study abroad program for credit in their senior year (last 30 credits).

How much does it cost to participate in a Stetson Abroad program?

Costs for a semester abroad change each year. For students who normally live on the Stetson University campus and have a full meal plan, Stetson Abroad program costs are approximately the same as the cost of a semester at Stetson (Oxford candidates should refer to the section on Oxford costs below). The student is billed for Stetson tuition, fees, and an average room and full board cost for the semester abroad. With the exception of the Oxford program, all Stetson Abroad students are billed the same Comprehensive Stetson Abroad Fee, including those who normally live off campus, those who normally have a partial meal plan or no meal plan, those who receive tuition benefits as faculty/staff dependents, and those who are on the Tuition Exchange Program. The cost is the same for all Stetson Abroad sites with the exception of Oxford University and does not vary according to the country students choose to study in. All Stetson scholarships and state and federal financial aid apply to full semester Stetson Abroad programs.

The cost of most study abroad programs (with the exception of Oxford) is listed under Expenses in the latest edition of the Stetson Bulletin. This cost is billed to the student’s Stetson account. For students who live on campus and have a full meal plan, a semester abroad costs approximately the same as a semester on the Deland campus (with the exception of Oxford). It is designed to cover basic expenses during the semester abroad, such as:

• Tuition at the host institution
• 15 Stetson University credits
• Housing
• Meals
• International health insurance
• International Student Identification Card (ISIC)
• Several cultural activities
• Resident Director fees (at foreign language sites only)

• Expenses not covered by the Stetson Abroad program:
• Airfare and other travel costs to and from the study site
• Passport
• Pictures
• Visa
• Document mailings
• Room deposits
• Ground transportation and commuting
• Personal travel
• Meals in restaurants
• Laundry
• Entertainment
• Property insurance
• Textbooks and school supplies 
• Computer and internet
• Phone costs
• Fees associated with participation in clubs, sports, gym/fitness center membership or other extra-curricular activities
• Other personal expenses

Participants are advised to have at least $100 to $200 per week abroad in personal funds available to them for personal expenses. A semester abroad is normally around 15 weeks, so for most students this will be approximately $1,500 to $3,000. Some students will need more than that depending on their spending habits. Keep in mind that prices for everyday items may be more expensive in foreign countries and the U.S. dollar exchange rate has been very poor.

All students in a Stetson Abroad program (including those who live off campus while in DeLand, those who have a partial or no meal plan, those who receive dependent tuition benefits, and those on the Tuition Exchange Program) are billed the same price for the semester abroad, regardless of which program they choose or which country they study in, with the exception of the Oxford University program (see the section “Oxford University Costs” below). That cost is determined annually by the Stetson Finance Office and is paid directly to Stetson University, not the Center for International Education.

Costs for Summer Programs, Off-Campus Programs, and Internships vary widely. Check with the faculty member leading the program for information.

Deposit: Upon acceptance to a Stetson Abroad program (with the exception of Oxford), students must submit a $500 non-refundable deposit. If the student continues with the program and goes abroad, this deposit is subtracted from the student’s total Stetson Abroad bill. If the student withdraws or is withdrawn from the program, the student loses the deposit and must also pay any additional fees that have been expended on his/her behalf.

Oxford University Costs

Because of the high cost of attending one of the world’s most renowned universities, Oxford University students are required to pay an overage fee. This is a fee significantly above the comprehensive fee charged for other Stetson Abroad programs. In spring semester 2008, this fee was over $6,300. Overage fees have been increasing approximately $1,500 each semester but could increase even more. The Center for International Education is unable to determine what the overage will be until the student has already started the program abroad, but students should expect to pay overage fees significantly above what they would normally pay at Stetson University or in another Stetson Abroad program. An estimate of the overage is due upon acceptance to the Oxford program. Students must be prepared to pay approximately $9,000 upon acceptance to the Oxford program.

Do my financial aid, grants, loans, and scholarships apply to Stetson Abroad?

Yes, all financial aid, grants, loans, and scholarships that you obtain through the Stetson Office of Financial Aid apply to all Stetson Abroad semester-long programs. Students on athletics scholarships should check with the athletics department to find out if those scholarships apply. To find out more about how to finance your semester abroad, pick up the Financial Aid and Scholarships leaflet at the Center for International Education and speak with a Stetson financial aid counselor at the Office of Financial Aid.

Although your state and federal financial aid may apply to an approved non-Stetson Abroad programs, Stetson scholarships do not apply.

What kind of classes will I take abroad?

 In England, Scotland, and Hong Kong courses are taught in English and you can take courses in a wide variety of subjects.

In Spain, France, Germany, Mexico and Russia most students earn modern language credit only and complete a major or minor in the modern language.

On rare occasions, students will take an independent study course with a Stetson professor while they are abroad.  Students must have the written permission of the Dean of their major college in order to do so. Furthermore, there is an extra cost of approximately $900 per credit hour for such courses. Students are not encouraged to undertake an independent study course during the semester abroad, as they are likely to find it extremely challenging.

 Are international internships available?

Yes, Stetson offers several opportunities to intern abroad:

Three week internship for Latin American Studies majors and minors in various Latin American countries (contact 822-7281 for details)

Three week internship in Guatemala focusing on the environment and community development (contact 822-7575 for details)

Four-week internship in Granada, Spain for students who complete the spring semester of the Stetson Abroad program in Madrid (contact 822-8166 for details)

How many credits will I earn abroad?

The process of credit transfer can be complicated, as universities abroad work on very different systems. In most Stetson Abroad programs, students earn 15 credits per semester abroad IF they enroll in the equivalent of 15 credits while abroad. At Oxford University, students earn only 12 Stetson credits. Students must be enrolled in the equivalent of at least 12 credits while abroad in order to maintain their full-time student status and qualify for scholarships and financial aid. 

How will studying abroad affect my GPA? 

 All grades earned abroad are applied directly to your Stetson University transcript. There are no grade adjustments made for any reason. For example, a B earned abroad will be recorded on your Stetson transcript as a B and you will earn 3.0 Stetson grade points. The majority of Stetson students earn approximately the same grades abroad as they do at Stetson. However, keep in mind that study abroad is challenging for many reasons. Part of the experience of study abroad is learning how to adjust to and succeed in a different academic system. Some students find the education systems abroad to be very different from what they are accustomed to, and very demanding. Grading and evaluation practices will likely be quite different from what you are accustomed to in American education. 

Letter grades may be different. Oxford, for instance, has a complex system of 23 grades comprised of Greek letters with multiple pluses and minuses. Oxford also requires of students a challenging schedule of reading and writing.

Distribution of grades may be different. The Hong Kong Baptist University, for example, uses a rigid grading curve, requiring a set number of A's to F's in each class.

Grades may be determined by performance on a single final exam, as may be the case at the University of Edinburgh. Past Stetson students have found the academic system there to be particularly demanding.

 There are many other challenges in studying abroad that can affect a student’s academic performance, including adjustment to a new culture, language, and living situation. Students must be prepared for the academic and cultural challenges of studying abroad and must apply themselves fully to their studies while abroad. Students who spend a lot of time traveling and sightseeing and less time focusing on academics will probably see this reflected in a lower GPA. The GPA that you earn abroad will affect your overall Stetson GPA. Students for whom GPA is extremely important should think carefully about whether they want to risk their GPA for a semester abroad experience.

How do grades and credits transfer? 

The host universities send the grades to the Center for International Education. Course numbers from the host university will be converted to Stetson course numbers by the appropriate department (e.g. the Art Department will convert art courses; the Biology Department will convert biology courses; etc.). In most cases, grades and credits convert directly. In cases where the host university does not award letter grades or numerical credit, a professor familiar with the education and evaluation system in the host country will do a grade and credit conversion.

Where will I live while I’m abroad?

• In France, Spain, and Mexico you will live in a private home. Homestays may also be available in Moscow upon request. The homestay experience is different for every student. In some cases, the student may become quite close to their hosts and be treated like a member of the family. In other cases, the relationship may be more formal. In all cases, homestay hosts are carefully selected with the safety of the student in mind, and to meet the student’s basic needs. Most homestay situations require the student to commute to and from campus via public transportation. Some commutes may be over an hour long.

• At the study abroad sites in Edinburgh, Freiburg, Hong Kong, and Moscow, students live in student residence halls. Student residence halls may be on or near campus, or they may be quite far from campus requiring students to commute to and from school. At Oxford, students live in student apartments or townhouses. For details on living conditions at each site, pick up the Stetson Abroad pamphlet at the Center for International Education. Often student residences abroad are not on the university campus. This requires the student to commute to and from campus via public transportation. Some commutes may be over an hour long.

What if I get sick or injured?

 The Resident Director or International Student Office on your host campus will indicate to you where to go if you get sick or injured. Although Stetson covers you with health insurance, you are usually responsible for medical expenses at the time of medical service. A claim must be filed with receipts and description of diagnosis and treatment within 6 months of treatment in order to receive reimbursement for any medical costs covered by the Stetson-provided insurance. The deductible cannot be reimbursed.

Do I need any vaccinations to study abroad?

There are no special vaccinations required to study at Stetson Abroad sites. The vaccinations that you are required to have when you enter Stetson (MMR, meningitis, and hepatitis B) meet requirements in all of our host countries. However, there may be vaccinations recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and/or the World Health Organization (WHO). Students are strongly advised to check with the Student Health Center for see if their vaccines are up-to-date, and to discuss with their physicians the possibility of being vaccinated against Hepatitis A and B, meningitis, tetanus, and the flu if they have not already been vaccinated. Although a flu shot will not protect against Avian Flu, it can help doctors rule out other viruses if a person develops flu-like symptoms. Visit http://www.cdc.gov/travel/vaccinat.htm and http://www.who.int/ith/en/ for more information on vaccinations and health issues at your study site. Note that for Hepatitis, the vaccination schedule includes 3 injections: #1; #2 a month later; #3 six months later. Discuss this schedule with your doctor. If you must complete the vaccination cycle after arrival in your host country, be sure that you have a record of the vaccine that you were given and that it is available in your host country.

Do I need a visa to go abroad?

Yes, for some countries. The governments of Spain and France require all U.S. students to apply for a visa in person at the nearest consulate. Most Stetson students go to the consulates in Miami. Since these consulates are only open until noon on week days, this requires that the student either spend the night in Miami or make an overnight drive there in order to be at the office at 8:00 a.m. Students may wish to coordinate their visits to Miami consulate so that they can carpool.

Students who are residents of states other than Florida, may be able to apply for their visas outside of Florida.  Students are generally required to apply at a consulate designated for the region of residence. This usually means the consulate nearest their home state or the consulate in Miami. Foreign consulates do not exist in every U.S. state, so students must be aware of how far away the nearest consulate is from their hometown.

The U.K. also requires students to obtain a visa. Although the visa applications can be mailed in, students must establish a biometrics record in person at their office in Orlando.

Russia also requires students to purchase visas. These are arranged through the study abroad program provider who will contact the student directly with information. Students are required to have an AIDS test in order to obtain the Russian visa. The Volusia County Health Department can be reached at (386) 822-6227. The office is located at 1330 S. Woodland Blvd. Otherwise the student can contact his or her physician to inquire about taking the test. Students should not take the AIDS test far in advance of applying for the visa. They should wait for instructions from the program provider to be sure that the test is taken according to Russian Embassy timing requirements.

 Mexico is considering requiring visas for students. Consult to Center for International Education for the latest on visa requirements.

 Students who are not U.S. citizens may have visa requirements quite different from those of U.S. citizens. These students should consult the Center for International Education.

 All students are required to make a visa appointment and begin the visa application process immediately upon acceptance to the Stetson Abroad program so that they have their visas well in advance of their departure for the study site. The visa process can be long and complicated. You will need 2-3 months to complete it successfully. The Center for International Education will provide Stetson Abroad students with visa packets and will assist students with visa questions, however, the Center for International Education cannot legally complete the visa process for students. Students are solely responsible for obtaining their visas in time to join their study programs abroad on the official start date. Students who do not obtain a visa in time or who are denied a visa will be withdrawn from the program at their own expense.

How do I convince my parents that it is a good idea for me to study abroad?

The decision to study abroad should be made mutually between students and their parents, as the experience does affect both parties. It is important to understand that although study abroad is a wonderful experience, it presents many challenges that you and your parents may never have faced before, such as great distance from family, friends, and support systems; academic challenges; and a level of independence that you may never have had before. Having discussed this, it is also important for your parents to know that

Study abroad is truly an experience of a lifetime. Most students who have spent a semester or more abroad rank the experience as one of the best, if not the best of their college careers.

At the foreign language study sites, you can earn a minor in the language in one semester abroad. You will also gain fluency in the language. Immersion in a host culture is the only way to gain real life communicative ability in the language.

Cross-cultural competence is a must today and, like fluency in a language, immersion in another culture is the best way to gain cross-cultural proficiency and appreciation.

Many employers list international experience at the top of their list of qualities sought in job candidates. Even if the job does not have a direct international component, having studied abroad shows strength of character, ability to “think outside the box”, broad-mindedness, and global awareness. Having the experience on your resume, especially if you have foreign language skills, will set you apart from other applicants.

You will gain a range of skills that will serve you for the rest of your life, such as maturity, independence, problem-solving, and self-reliance. You will deepen your understanding of yourself and the world. Many students return with a much more solid idea of future goals.

Emphasize to your parents that study abroad is not merely a vacation abroad but an enriching  and challenging academic experience. 

If your parents have concerns, ask them to call the Director of the Center for International Education, who is always glad to talk with parents about the value of a semester abroad.

What is the deadline to apply for study abroad? 

• The first thing you should do is apply for your passport.  If you already have a passport, verify that it will be valid for at least six months after your return from your semester abroad. If your passport will expire before then, apply for a renewal. You must also apply for a new passport if your current passport was issued before your 16th birthday. Your study abroad application will not be reviewed if it is submitted without a photocopy of your valid passport. Obtaining a valid passport is the sole responsibility of the student. You may apply for a new passport or a passport renewal at the DeLand courthouse on Alabama Ave, only blocks from Stetson University.

• For fall semester abroad, the deadline to submit your application is March 1st.
• For spring semester abroad the deadline to submit your application is September 15th.

• It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that all paperwork, including a photocopy of your valid passport is submitted to the Center for International Education prior to the deadline. It is advisable to remind your professors and other references to submit recommendation forms and letters one week before the deadline.

• If you submit all paperwork by the deadline, your application will be reviewed by the Director of the Center for International Education, the International Programs Council (a committee of faculty members), and the Council of Deans. Applications that are not completed by the deadline will not be reviewed and the student will not be accepted to the Stetson Abroad program.  

• Students must meet all of the requirements to go abroad. Students who do not meet the minimum requirements are advised to postpone submitting an application until they attain all requirements or speak with the Director of the Center for International Education about alternative study abroad programs.

Space in the Stetson Abroad program is limited. Meeting the requirements does not guarantee that you will be able to study abroad.