[{"id":2923,"date":"2026-02-05T18:14:49","date_gmt":"2026-02-05T18:14:49","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.allegheny.edu\/global-education\/?page_id=2923"},"modified":"2026-03-10T12:51:05","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T12:51:05","slug":"faq","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.allegheny.edu\/global-education\/faq\/","title":{"rendered":"Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
\n

General Study Away Information <\/b><\/h3>\n

What can I study while studying away?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Students from every major at Allegheny can study away. Courses may fulfill major, minor, or elective requirements, depending on departmental approval.<\/p>\n

\"\"
Emily Eschenfelder ’26<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

When is the best time to study away?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Most students study away during their junior year, although some programs allow participation as early as sophomore year.<\/p>\n

Do I need to know another language to study away?<\/b>
\n<\/b>No. Approximately 60% of study away programs do not require prior knowledge of a foreign language.<\/p>\n

Can athletes study away?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Yes. Many student-athletes study away during their off-season or participate in summer Global Learning Seminars or independent programs.<\/p>\n

Can students with disabilities study abroad?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Yes. Many programs offer accommodations and accessibility support. Students should contact the Global Education Office early to discuss their needs.<\/p>\n

\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Program Types<\/b><\/h3>\n

What is the difference between a sponsored program and an independent program?<\/b><\/p>\n

Sponsored Programs<\/b><\/p>\n

\"\"
Riley Pegher ’26<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n
    \n
  • Approved and vetted by Allegheny<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Allegheny financial aid generally applies (exceptions apply)<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Courses are guaranteed to transfer as approved credit<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Additional <\/span>$800 off-campus fee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Independent Programs<\/b><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Not affiliated with Allegheny<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Allegheny institutional aid does not apply<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Credit transfer is not guaranteed<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Additional <\/span>$1,200 off-campus fee<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

      What if I want to study in a country that is not on the sponsored program list?<\/b>
      \n<\/b>Students may participate in independent programs during the semester or summer. The Global Education Office will help students evaluate program options. Independent semester programs have a higher study away fee, but summer independent programs do not have an additional study away fee.<\/p>\n

      \n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Planning Your Study Away Experience<\/b><\/h3>\n

When should I start planning to study away?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Students should ideally begin planning <\/span>one year before their intended program. This allows time for program research, advising, applications, passports, and visas.<\/span><\/p>\n

Do I need to meet with my academic advisor before studying away?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Yes. Students must meet with their advisor to review how study away courses will apply to their <\/span>major, minor, and graduation requirements.<\/p>\n

Do I need a visa or residence permit and how much does it cost?\u00a0<\/strong>
\nRequirements depend on your program. Check the embassy or consulate of your destination country to determine if a visa or residence permit is required and the associated fees. Students are responsible for understanding and covering all related costs, including travel to a consulate or embassy if required, and for obtaining the necessary documents on time. The Global Education Office is not responsible for visa or residence permit application outcomes.<\/p>\n

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Courses, Credits, and Academic Requirements<\/b><\/h3>\n

How do I know if a course is already approved (pre-equated)?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Students can review the list of <\/span>pre-equated courses for sponsored programs. <\/strong>These courses have already been approved by the appropriate department chair.<\/span><\/p>\n

If a course is not listed, you must complete the <\/span>Study Away Course Equivalency Process<\/b>.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n

Can I change a pre-equated course?<\/b>
\n<\/b>No. Pre-equated courses cannot be changed unless there is a <\/span>significant change in the course description.<\/p>\n

What if my course is not pre-equated?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Students must submit a <\/span>Study Away Transfer Course Equivalency Request Form<\/b><\/a> for each course and provide a course description and a syllabus<\/span><\/p>\n

The Global Education Office will send materials to the appropriate department chair for review.<\/span><\/p>\n

\"\"
Madison Hulse ’27<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

How do study away credits and grades transfer to Allegheny?<\/b>
\nIn general:<\/span><\/p>\n

\n

While You Are Studying Away<\/b><\/h3>\n

Do I need to submit course approvals while abroad?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Yes. After finalizing your schedule, students must submit the Study Away Course Approval Form and notify the Global Education Office of any schedule changes.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can I travel while studying abroad?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Yes. Many students travel during weekends or academic breaks. Students should inform program staff, follow program travel policies, and prioritize safety and academic responsibilities.<\/span><\/p>\n

What type of accommodations are available?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Housing varies by program and may include residence halls, apartments, dormitories, or host families.<\/span><\/p>\n

Is food included?<\/b>
\nIn many cases, students are responsible for food costs. Some programs provide <\/span>meal plans or stipends.<\/p>\n

How do cell phones work abroad?<\/b>
\nStudents typically choose one of the following options:<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n
  • International plans through their mobile carrier<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Local SIM cards<\/span><\/li>\n
  • International eSIM plans<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Wi-Fi-based apps (WhatsApp, FaceTime, etc.)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Will I need a new bank account?<\/b>
    \n<\/b>Usually not. Many students use credit\/debit cards with low international fees or ATMs abroad. Students should notify their bank before traveling.<\/span><\/p>\n

    \n

    <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

Financial Aid & Billing<\/b><\/h3>\n

Can I use financial aid for a study away program?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Yes. Students may use their <\/span>Allegheny institutional aid and federal\/state financial aid for sponsored study away programs, except:<\/p>\n

    \n
  • Work-study awards<\/span><\/li>\n
  • Tuition exchange scholarships (such as GLCA)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

    Institutional aid can typically be applied to <\/span>one semester of study away.<\/span><\/p>\n

    What will Allegheny bill me for during study away?<\/b>
    \nAllegheny will bill:<\/span><\/p>\n

      \n
    • Tuition<\/span><\/li>\n
    • Off-campus study away fee<\/span>\n
        \n
      • $800 for sponsored programs<\/span><\/li>\n
      • $1,200 for independent programs<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n
      • Room and meal charges (if applicable)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

        What happens if my financial aid does not cover all program costs?<\/b>
        \n<\/b>Any expenses not covered by financial aid or scholarships are <\/span>the student\u2019s responsibility.<\/p>\n

        Can I study away if I have a balance on my account?<\/b>
        \n<\/b>No. Students with outstanding balances on their Allegheny account are not eligible to participate in a study away program.<\/span><\/p>\n

        \"\"
        Mary Karstens ’27 & Lucy Palmer ’27<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

        What costs are paid directly to the host program?<\/b>
        \nStudents <\/span>may<\/span><\/i> need to pay certain expenses directly to the host institution, including:<\/span><\/p>\n

          \n
        • Housing<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Meals<\/span><\/li>\n
        • Local program fees<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n

          What additional expenses should I plan for?<\/b>
          \nStudents should plan for additional costs such as:<\/span><\/p>\n

            \n
          • Passport fees<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Visa or residence permit fees<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Airfare<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Housing and meals (if not included)<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Personal expenses<\/span><\/li>\n
          • Program excursions or activities<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n
            \n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n

\n

After Your Study Away Program<\/b><\/h3>\n

How do I submit my transcript?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Official transcripts must be sent directly from the program\u2019s School of Record to the Global Education Office. Transcripts sent by students cannot be processed.<\/span><\/p>\n

How long does it take for study away courses to appear on my transcript?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Processing times vary depending on departmental and administrative review. It may take <\/span>a semester or longer for courses to appear.<\/p>\n

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\n

Health, Safety, and Work<\/b><\/h3>\n
\"\"
Liam Shields ’27<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

<\/p>\n

Will I have access to healthcare abroad?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Yes. Allegheny partners with AXA insurance for international programs and provides guidance for accessing local healthcare services. <\/span>Students will also receive instructions on accessing local clinics, hospitals, and emergency services in their host country.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can I work while studying abroad?<\/b>
\n<\/b>Work policies depend on country and visa regulations. Some visas allow limited part-time work, while others prohibit employment. Some programs also offer internships. Students should contact the Global Education Office for guidance.<\/p>\n

Will I be safe studying away?<\/strong>
The Global Education Office cannot guarantee your safety. However, we monitor conditions in program locations and stay in close contact with our partners, U.S. Consulates, and risk management organizations. U.S. citizens and nationals studying abroad are required to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP). Students should also review updates from U.S. embassy or consulate websites, follow local laws and safety guidance, attend required pre-departure orientations and orientations on-site In an emergency, students should contact local emergency services and their program staff immediately.<\/p>\n

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<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

General Study Away Information What can I study while studying away? Students from every major at Allegheny can study away. Courses may fulfill major, minor, or elective requirements, depending on departmental approval. When is the best time to study away? Most students study away during their junior year, although some programs allow participation as early […]<\/p>\n

Continue Reading “Frequently Asked Questions”<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":546,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"inline_featured_image":false,"footnotes":"","_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"class_list":["post-2923","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.allegheny.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2923","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.allegheny.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.allegheny.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.allegheny.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/546"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/sites.allegheny.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2923"}],"version-history":[{"count":5,"href":"https:\/\/sites.allegheny.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2923\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":3083,"href":"https:\/\/sites.allegheny.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2923\/revisions\/3083"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/sites.allegheny.edu\/global-education\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2923"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}},{"id":2675,"date":"2025-01-31T19:24:08","date_gmt":"2025-01-31T19:24:08","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/sites.allegheny.edu\/global-education\/?page_id=2675"},"modified":"2026-03-18T19:25:21","modified_gmt":"2026-03-18T19:25:21","slug":"pre-departure-info-for-admitted-fall-2025-study-away-students","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/sites.allegheny.edu\/global-education\/pre-departure-info-for-admitted-fall-2025-study-away-students\/","title":{"rendered":"Pre-departure Info for Admitted Fall 2026 Study Away Students"},"content":{"rendered":"

Congratulations on your approval to study off-campus next semester!<\/h4>\n
\"\"
Corinne Inkley ’27<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n