Q: Why should I study abroad?
A: Studying abroad is an experience of a life time! It will enable you to gain experience and insights into another culture and see the world from a different perspective. Not to mention, you may have the opportunity to learn another language. Living and studying abroad is a unique opportunity and now is the best time in your life to go abroad. You will undergo tremendous personal and intellectual growth impossible to achieve by staying in your home campus. Additionally, employers highly value effective cross-cultural communications skills and critical thinking in prospective employees. An international experience is sure to enhance your résumé. Spending time abroad does require a considerable commitment—academically, emotionally, and financially. But the return on the investment is well worth it!



Q: Who can study abroad?
A: Any full time Adelphi undergraduate or graduate student, including University College and online students, currently in good academic standing and a clear disciplinary record, who have studied for at least two (2) semesters at Adelphi. Students must have successfully completed the previous semester at Adelphi as a full time student. Adelphi requires a 2.5 minimum GPA for undergraduate students and a 3.0 minimum GPA for graduate students at the time of application. Students from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. International students are also eligible to study abroad. Sponsored international students must provide a written clearance from their sponsor before being accepted; visa and immigration issues must be also considered. Adelphi employees are not eligible to participate.



Q: Where can I go?
A: You can choose to study in one or more countries around the world in Africa, Asia, Australia, Europe, New Zealand, North and South America. Adelphi has Consortium Agreements with the Center for Cross-Cultural Study (CCCS); College Consortium for International Study (CCIS); The School for Field Studies (SFS); University Studies Abroad Consortium (USAC); and Webster University Worldwide. Together they have offices in more than 90 locations around the globe.

Adelphi also conducts short-term faculty-led programs in the Bahamas, Costa Rica, Greece, Mexico, London, and Florence, with more programs planned for China, the Dominican Republic, Egypt, and India.

In addition, Adelphi has partner institutions for exchange and direct enrollment, among them: University of the Sunshine Coast in Queensland, Australia; University of Applied Sciences in Wienner Neustadt, Austria; Paris Graduate School of Management in the capital of France; Université Pierre Mendès in Grenoble; Université de Picardie Jules Verne in Amiens, France; Central European University in Budapest, Hungary; University of Monterrey in Mexico; and Hanze University in Groningen, The Netherlands.

Adelphi University does not approve studying in countries or regions of the world for which Travel Warnings have been issued by the U.S. Department of State. Students are highly encouraged to investigate options carefully to determine which programs will best suit their career goals and personal interests. By defining your goals, you will have a better chance of finding the most appropriate program.



Q: How long can I study abroad?
A: You can study abroad for a maximum of one full academic year or two semesters, consecutively or not, plus one summer term. You can also choose to study a semester in one country and the next semester in another country.



Q: Do I need to speak a foreign language?
A: No, many of our approved programs will accept you in all their locations around the world without a language pre-requisite. However, we urge you to take advantage of the unique opportunity to learn a new language or build upon your current foreign language skills by fully immersing yourself in a new culture abroad. Most approved programs offer courses taught in English across disciplines. There is always the option of studying abroad in an English speaking country such as Australia, Canada, England, Ghana, Ireland, New Zealand, and Scotland, among other countries.



Q: How much will studying abroad cost?
A: The Center for International Education will place you in almost any country in the world to study the discipline of your choice for approximately the same cost as staying at the Adelphi campus. Adelphi will allow U.S. students to keep their current financial aid and scholarships in support of their study abroad program. In most cases all you will have to pay is for your airfare and for your personal expenses.

You will continue to be registered at Adelphi and pay regular Adelphi tuition (regardless of the actual foreign program cost), unless the foreign tuition is higher than Adelphi’s. Adelphi will directly pay for the cost of your foreign tuition to the maximum of on campus tuition. If you are accepted to a program whose tuition is higher than Adelphi’s the balance will be debited to your student account. You will be directly responsible for the cost of your own room and board, meals, local transportation, entertainment, passport expenses, visas (if required), optional cultural travel, personal expenses and airfare to/from the host destination. Room and board and other expenses vary considerably from location to location even in the same country; costs can be higher but also much lower than costs in Garden City: In the UK and European destinations it may be as high as $8,000, and in Asia and Latin America can be as low as $1,500 per semester.

Please do your research and compare costs, substantial savings can be made. Our office will assist you in preparing your Budget Planning Worksheet (PDF 260KB).



Q: Can I use my financial aid and/or Adelphi scholarships to study abroad?
A: Yes,  if you are a U.S. student on a semester abroad you will continue to be registered and pay Adelphi tuition whilst abroad, thus keeping your eligibility for your current Financial Aid package and scholarships. The CIE will forward the estimated cost of your program to the Office of Student Financial Services. They will send you your Award Letter on the usual schedule. If necessary, you or your parents can seek alternative loans to help offset the costs of studying abroad. Adelphi will grant a limited number of Study Abroad External Scholarships. Study Abroad scholarships like the Gilman, NSEP, Freeman-Asia, Morgan Stanley, Bridging Japan, Rotary International, and DAAD are available to qualifying students. Both need-based and merit-based study abroad scholarships can range between $500/semester up to $10,000/year. Scholarship deadlines come much earlier than program application deadlines.

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Q: My parents work at Adelphi, can I study abroad?
A: Yes, you can; however, you cannot turn your tuition waiver benefit into cash to pay out a third party tuition. Instead of paying the current Adelphi tuition, you will be charged only the actual cost of foreign tuition. You should also check your eligibility to financial aid and scholarships (since you will not be at Adelphi during your study abroad).



Q: I am an International Student, can I study abroad?
A: Yes, you can. However, your Adelphi scholarships apply only to study on campus, and cannot be turned into cash to support studying abroad.  You may also apply for a limited number of $4,000 Provost Study Abroad Scholarships and pay the balance of the current Adelphi tuition.



Q: Can I go abroad in the summer? What is the cost?
A: The summer months provide an ideal time for students to go abroad, who otherwise may not be able to go during the year. Adelphi partners and providers offer many summer options for study abroad. Since Adelphi scholarships do not apply in summer, having students pay only the actual program cost is being considered. Summer programs include, in many cases, overseas accommodation and cultural excursions at no additional cost. As with semester programs, students are responsible to pay for their own airfare to/from the host country as well as housing, entertainment, passport expenses, visas (if required), personal, and additional travel expenses.



Q: How many classes do I have to take?
A: You must enroll in at least 12 Adelphi equivalent credit hours per semester, as approved by your faculty adviser, to maintain a full time student status. Full time is defined by the host university or program provider. The maximum number of credit hours students can enroll while abroad is 16 Adelphi equivalent credit hours. The number of actual courses taken will vary according to the program. In consultation with your faculty adviser, you can take a combination of courses towards major, minor, or elective credit. Graduate students require an enrollment minimum of 9 credit hours per semester or equivalent, or an approved mix of coursework and research to be determined and approved by your graduate supervisor.



Q: How will my grades transfer to Adelphi?
A: Adelphi will grant credit for all approved study abroad courses upon receipt of the foreign transcript. Study abroad courses must be taken for a grade, not on Pass/Fail basis; only courses completed with the grade of "C" (or the equivalent) or better will earn study abroad credit. Grades obtained overseas will be posted in your transcript with the course title, the number of credits earned, and designation of the foreign school.

Study Abroad grades WILL NOT be computed in your Adelphi GPA, and they will not affect your academic standing at home.



Q: Will l still be enrolled at Adelphi while studying abroad?
A: On semester abroad terms The Center for International Education will keep you enrolled in special blanked courses designated "Study Abroad" in the Adelphi system for the duration of your time abroad. Thus, you will maintain your active student status and your eligibility for financial aid, scholarships, email accounts, etc. Upon successful completion of coursework abroad, the host university or program will issue a transcript to our office; the credits earned will then be entered in your Adelphi record.



Q: Will studying abroad affect my graduation date?
A: In most cases, it should not. Foreign courses will be pre-approved to transfer back to your Adelphi record, so you would not miss any time in your course sequence, and should be able to graduate with your class. It is suggested that you meet with your faculty adviser early on to discuss your plans to go abroad, so necessary accommodations can be made.



Q: How do I choose a program?
A: This will require some research, talking to other students who have been abroad, and self reflection. When selecting a study abroad program, there are many important questions you should ask yourself first:

• Where do I want to go?
• What do I want to study?
• What type and length of program do I want?
• Do I want to take courses with other Americans or enroll directly in a foreign university?
• Am I independent and willing to take risks?
• What are my career goals?
• Do I want to live with a host family or in a university residence?
• Will cost be an issue?
• How many credits taken abroad will count towards my degree?
• What types of courses are offered abroad?
• Do I want to focus on learning a foreign language?
• How much integration into the foreign culture do I want?
• How will my decision to go abroad affect my family?

By defining your goals early on, you will have a better chance of finding a program that best fits your academic and personal needs. The Adelphi staff can help you every step of the way.



Q: What is the application process and when is the deadline?
A: You must complete the appropriate Study Abroad application—Faculty-Led Programs (PDF 48KB), Short Programs (PDF 64KB), Semester and Year-long Programs (PDF 76KB)—on time and meet general eligibility requirements.

In addition, you must complete the host university/provider application and submit it to the CIE, do not send it directly to the host school. Our office will sent it by courier it and keep copies on file.

There are generally two Adelphi application deadlines each year: end of March for summer, fall and full-year programs, and end of October for spring semester programs. Some foreign schools have early application deadlines; it is always a good idea to pay close attention not to miss them, as they do not necessarily coincide with Adelphi campus deadlines. Deadlines for our Faculty-led programs vary; please contact the program's adviser for more information).


Q: Do I need health insurance when I go abroad?
A: Yes. There is a mandatory medical and accident insurance requirement for all Adelphi students participating in a study abroad program. Cultural Insurance Services International (CISI) administers the plan for Adelphi students. It has "zero" deductible and it has been tailor-made for study abroad. You must purchase this insurance upon acceptance. If you are buying regular campus health insurance, you could discontinue it during your semester abroad if you plan ahead of time.



Q: Do I need a passport, visa, or an International Student ID card?
A: You must have a current passport (which must be valid for at least 6 months past the date of your return) in order to travel outside of the U.S. It is strongly recommended that you begin the passport application process early; if it is your first time, apply as soon as you begin looking into programs. It can take up to 8 weeks for a new passport to be issued. Application instructions and downloadable forms can be found at http://www.travel.state.gov. Visas and/or residence permits are required for some countries and it is the student's responsibility to obtain them.

Important Note: Some consulates (currently—France, Greece, Italy, Spain, Argentina, and Chile) require a personal interview when applying for a visa and students must make plans accordingly and prepare the necessary documentation. After acceptance, the Study Abroad provider will offer details on visa applications, and our office can assist where necessary. International Student ID cards (ISIC), will be issued by our office to all students going abroad for terms longer than 3 weeks. The ISIC card is a recognized proof of student status abroad, and offers special discounts on travel, accommodations, museum fees, and more.


Q: How do I get started?
A: The first step is to attend a Study Abroad Information Session held twice weekly on Wednesdays and Thursdays during the months of February, March, September, and October.

Stop by the CIE office during regular office hours and take a look through our reference materials to select your best destinations. Download the appropriate applications. Search the approved foreign university websites for course offerings and course descriptions before filling your Course Approval Form. Print out the foreign course descriptions for submission to your faculty adviser. Make an appointment with the CIE Director to discuss your options and program selection, and receive cross-cultural advice. Once you have chosen your program, seek academic approval for the courses you intend to take from your faculty adviser, who must sign your "Course Approval Form." Please refer also to the Step-by-Step Guide to Study Abroad for additional information on where to start.


Q: Where do I go for more information?
A: Attend one of our Study Abroad Fairs held twice yearly in September and February in the University Center Lobby. Study Abroad information sessions are scheduled twice weekly during the months of February, March, September, and October. Please check the University Calendar on the Adelphi website for room number and time.

For additional information, email us at cie@adelphi.edu or call us 516.877.3487.

For specific dates on Information Sessions and Fairs, please consult the CIE University Calendar.