Handbook - Main View | Handbook | Study Abroad/Away

Welcome to Study Abroad at Centre College!

Centre College is recognized as one of the top colleges in the United States for students to study abroad, and more recently, to study away in domestic locations. Here at the CGC Office we are always committed to helping our students fulfill their dreams while helping them choose the correct program for them. No matter what your area of study is, there is a program for you. The cost of a Centre semester abroad is virtually the same as studying in Danville. All financial aid and scholarships remain in place during your semester abroad. Students pay a $375 deposit (surcharge/emergency fund/carbon offset) and a $25 travel medicine fee, for a total of $400. Flights to the abroad site are also the responsibility of the student. Centre College offer the following study abroad options:

Semester Study Abroad

For our Centre-in-London, England program we partner with Acorn Housing for our students accommodation and FSU for our classrooms and adjuncts. These are both professionals in the business of Study Abroad.

We also offer many other study abroad options in Bhutan, China, France (both Strasbourg and Nantes), Germany, Japan (both Akita and Yamaguchi), Mexico (both Merida and Marista) Spain, and United Kingdom (five Universities in Northern Ireland, one in Glasgow, Scotland: three in London and its greater area: Rose Bruford, Reading, and our Flagship in the Bloomsbury area). Many programs also include internship placements as well as local orientation programs and educational excursions.

Our study away locations are Washington D.C. and New York City. A full-time internship opportunity is a highlight of both of these programs.

Centre College has three Flagship Programs, Centre-in-Strasbourg, France, Centre-in-Merida, Mexico and Centre-in London, England. Our faculty directors lead these programs and we have a team on the ground in each location that supports our directors and students. In Strasbourg, France, we partner with Accès is an approved study abroad provider that helps us with our home stays and faculty instructors among other things. Alex and Andrea Neff are both professionals and experts in the study abroad field.

In Merida, Mexico, we have our own casa and classrooms on the beautiful Yucatan Peninsula. We have a great local coordinator, Claudia Chapa who vets and arranges our homestays as well as providing us with our instructors, and numerous other things. Claudia is a native of Merida and has worked with Centre for many, years. Her mother also worked with Centre from the start of this program until she retired, so it is a family run business and Claudia is an expert in the study abroad field. In Merida, Mexico, we have our own casa and classrooms on the beautiful Yucatan Peninsula. We have a great local coordinator, Claudia Chapa who vets and arranges our homestays as well as providing us with our instructors, and numerous other things. Claudia is a native of Merida and has worked with Centre for many, years. Her mother also worked with Centre from the start of this program until she retired, so it is a family run business and Claudia is an expert in the study abroad field.

For our Centre-in-London, England program we partner with FSU for housing, classrooms, and adjuncts. These are both professionals in the business of Study Abroad.

We also offer many other study abroad/away options in Bhutan, China, D.C., France (to include, Strasbourg and Nantes), Germany, and Japan (to include Akita and Yamaguchi). Mexico (to include Merida and Marista), Spain, United Kingdom (to include five Universities in Northern Ireland, one in Glasgow, Scotland, three in London and its greater area, Rose Bruford, Reading and our Flagship in the Bloomsbury area). Many programs also include internship placements as well as local orientation programs and educational excursions.

Who can participate in our Semester Study Abroad?

All students who are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors (i.e., completed their first year) may study abroad as well as Transfer students.

Summer Study Abroad

Here at Centre we offer summer courses that always include our very popular 3-week Strasbourg program and a 3-week Primate Research Program in Barbados. In addition, we also run different programs such as Tahiti, Colombia etc. These summer offerings will differ yearly. We collaborate with KIIS who annually sponsor 24 or more summer programs too. Some of our Centre Faculty direct some of these programs. Who can participate in our Summer Study Abroad?

All students who are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors (i.e., completed their first year) may study abroad as well as Transfer students.

What are the eligibility requirements for summer study abroad?

Centre College requires students to be in good standing with the college in order to participate in summer study abroad. There is no minimum GPA requirement for College approval. However, each study abroad program will have its own set of eligibility requirements. This could include GPA requirements, course pre-requisites, and language requirements as well. Be sure you carefully check these before applying for a program!

Who can participate in our Summer Study Abroad?

All students who are rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors (i.e., completed their first year) may study abroad as well as Transfer students.

What are the eligibility requirements for summer study abroad?

What does Summer Study Abroad cost?

Again, this varies by program. An example would be our 2020 Summer Strasbourg Program was $1800 plus airfare, our Barbados program was $3300 plus airfare. Feel free to check our website for fa full listing of courses and their descriptions and costs associated with them.

What can I study on a summer course, and do I earn college credit?

Almost anything! You can study a language, a specific topic, or participate in an internship, a research project, or a service-learning opportunity. Every program is different and there are many opportunities available. If the programs are offered by Centre, you will automatically get credit (as long as you complete the program and earn a passing grade.). Other programs you must check with our office and we will guide you on approval.

Who can go on an abroad Centre-Term course (during the month of January)?

If you are a student in good standing at Centre College, you can apply to a Centre-Term program that is been offered. How do I apply?

Our Centre Terms will be released in a November and you will have until the following February to apply. You apply directly to the Director offering that program.

Will I automatically be accepted into a Centre Term?

No, every Director has specific criteria for their particular course. It is best to apply to more than one as our Centre Terms are highly sought after.

What is the cost of a Centre Term?

This varies on the program, but generally, the cost ranges from $3800-$4600. This will include transportation, two meals a day, Lodging and excursions deemed essential to the programs education.

Now that you have been selected to go on a Study Abroad Program, there are many things to consider before you go. Let us start planning for your departure sooner rather than later.

Prepare your Travel Documents.

You will need to have a valid passport before applying to a study abroad program. US citizens are required to have a passport to enter foreign countries and to gain re-entry into the United States. If you do not have a passport, or your passport has expired or will expire within 6 months, apply for one as soon as possible. Passport processing can take up to 6 weeks or longer during normal conditions, and we recommend that you apply several months in advance. You will need a valid passport before you apply for any country-specific visas. You can find more information on https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/passports.html/passport

Applying: You must apply for a passport in person. You can apply for your passport at the following locations.

. A U.S. post office that is authorized to accept passport applications.

. A passport agency (you pay extra for them to help you0

.Centre offers a fair once a year, where we bring in the local post office and they can help you in processing your paperwork along with your photos. Remember that Centre will reimburse this cost for 1^st year students who have never had a passport before, make sure you apply before this date expires, which is the 8^th of December, also note this is not good for renewals.

Danville Post Office is located on

200 East Main Street, Danville, KY 40422

(859) 236-6334

Passport hours are Mon-Fri 9am to 2pm and Sat am-11am you must

Renewing your Passport: If you already hold a passport that has been issued within the last 15 years, and you were at least 16 years old at the time of issuance, you may be eligible to renew your passport by mail. Passport renewal application forms can be obtained online.

For F1 International Students: You will need your passport from your home country to be valid during the full time of your study abroad experience. Before returning to Centre College from overseas, your passport must be valid for at least six more months in order to reenter the US, please remember that this also applies for your returning to your home country. You may also need to obtain an I-20 travel signature and have your F-1 record updated in SEVIS to reflect your study abroad. You can do this by making an appointment with your International Student Advisor Jessica Leonard, if Jessica is unavailable Dr. Adam Chen-Dedman or Karen Ryan may assist you.

Please make copies of your passport and visas before travelling abroad, give a copy to the CGC Office and give a copy to a trusted friend or family member. We have at least two students a year lose their passports or have them stolen and then we can produce these copies and save a lot of hassle and frustration.

Applying for a Visa: Many students need visas in order to study abroad. In most cases, you will need to obtain a visa before leaving the United States. As with your passport, please allow plenty of time for your visa to be processed. You normally apply for your visa 90 days before your program begins.

Visas can only be obtained by applying directly to the foreign government via their diplomatic offices in the United States. Be aware that some countries do not accept applications through the mail or on the internet, and require you to appear in-person at their US office in order to secure your visa. In some cases, you have to send your Passport on to these offices to process your Visa. Americans are not used to doing this, but know that this is the way that some other countries do operate.

Find out ahead if you need a visa: Once you have been accepted to your program, check with the CGC Office to see if you need to get a visa or if the third party you are going with will facilitate this. You can also google y the website of your host country's embassy in the US to see if you require a visa, and if so, which type of visa you need.

Our Strasbourg Program does not require you to have a visa if you are an American Citizen, if you are an International student; you most likely will need one. If you want to remain in Europe after or even visit before your program then, yes you do need a visa regardless.

Glasgow, Reading and Northern Ireland and Rose Bruford Programs, these institutions you will be studying at will contact you for any information they need to secure your visas if needed.

If you are going to Alicante KIIS will help facilitate the paperwork necessary.

For Bhutan, RTU will facilitate that visa.

For Yamaguchi and Akita in Japan, those Universities will send you the necessary paperwork.

As you can see, every program and place is different and not all are listed.

Obtain the visa: To learn more about the visa process you will need to visit the website of your host country's embassy in the United States. The US State Departments webpage has these listings. When you reach your destination country's Country Information page, scroll down to the Entry, Exit, and Visa Requirements section for links to the embassy of that country. Each embassy's page will provide links to their regional consulates (if they have them) and visa processes on their websites. Visa application processes vary widely between countries. Some countries allow you to apply online, but many will require you to appear at least once for an appointment at a consulate or visa processing center. You may have to send on ahead your passport.

It is a good idea to photocopy every paperwork that you submit, as this will help you, in case your paperwork went missing. In addition, when mailing these documents make sure you pay for tracking.

Any student studying away/abroad with Centre College is required to attend a pre-departure meeting/s or seminars. You will receive notification when these meeting will take place. There will also be Travel Safety and Travel Clinic meetings that ALL students must attend. It is imperative that you attend these meetings so that you are best prepared for your time abroad. Failure to attend will jeopardize your chance of going abroad. All students should attend the orientation in the semester before the intended study abroad date (usually mid-November for Spring/Calendar Year students, and mid-April for Fall/Summer/Academic Year students).

What to pack for Study Abroad

You are going abroad! You have your flights, your apartment/dorm/homestay is arranged, but there is still so much to keep in mind just before you leave. You have many questions in your head before you go abroad. Remember trying to stuff your whole life into two suitcases is not going to work! Packing for a semester abroad is different from packing for a vacation. You are not just going away for two or three weeks, you will be settling in and getting to know your new home. This means you need things for your bedroom, your coursework and your bathroom as well as your wardrobe! So you must think hard on what it is you need not want you just want. Do some research beforehand on where you are going and what is the climate like there, do you need clothes for warm weather or cold weather? Here is a list to help you think of what to bring from Travel Eat Blog.