Frequently asked questions about study/Away abroad at Centre:
What kind of study abroad/away opportunities are at Centre?
Centre runs its own recurring semester programs in Strasbourg, France (offered fall and spring); Merida, Mexico (offered fall and spring); and London (spring). Also, Centre students regularly participate in Centre-sponsored programs in England at the University of Reading (fall), Rose Bruford University (spring) in Yamaguchi, Japan (fall/Centre-Term), Akita, Japan (fall) , Thimphu, Bhutan ( Fall) and in Northern Ireland (offered fall or spring), in Glasgow, Scotland (spring), in Alicante, Spain (spring), in Regensburg, Germany (spring), and in Shanghai, China (fall) and in Nantes, France (fall).Students also may participate in specialized, short-term January programs, named Centre-Terms whose locations change each winter. Students may also participate in Centre's many summer programs, normally lasting 3 weeks and in the many Kentucky Institute for International Studies (KIIS) programs as well; about 24 KIIS programs are offered each summer. In addition, Centre runs a “study away” program in Washington, D.C., during both fall and spring and in New York in the fall.
How much extra does study abroad cost here?
The costs of our semester programs are the same as studying on the main Danville campus, with the exception that students pay a $375 surcharge and $25 Medical fee for a total of $400 and their airfare. The additional costs of the specialized, January Centre-Term programs vary from about $3,200 to $4,200.
How do I make payments for study abroad programs?
Deposits and payments can be made by check, cash or credit/debit card to the Cashier's Office, Rita Rogers rita.rogers@centre.edu you may also call Rita at 859-235-5452 to make a payment over the phone. There is a fee of 2.75% for credit/debit cards (bank charge). We are not able to accept online payments for off-campus programs at this time. please note the CGC office cannot handle any payments only the cashier.
Are there scholarships available to cover any extra costs of the semester programs?
Centre has endowed funds designated to help some students on need-based financial aid to cover some additional costs of study abroad programs. Also, rising seniors who receive need-based financial aid and have unmet need (or “gap”) and who have not yet studied abroad or away before their final year may be eligible to receive a Senior Subsidy to help pay for a Centre-Term or summer program during their senior year.
What’s the best year and best term to study abroad?
Students are not allowed to study abroad during their first year on campus, but we welcome and encourage students to study abroad during sophomore, junior, and/or senior year. There is no right or wrong time to study abroad, though certain factors, such as academic requirements and sports schedules, may influence your decision. Students should be aware that although Centre does guarantee students the opportunity to study abroad, the Centre Commitment does not guarantee that all students can study abroad in the particular program and at the particular time of their choosing. We encourage students to come see us in Old Carnegie to discuss options and the application process.
I’ve heard that it’s difficult for certain science students, such as biology majors who are pre-med, to study abroad. Is this right?
Wrong. The academic schedule of most Centre students allows them to study abroad during any term of their sophomore, junior, or senior year. It’s true that the sequential pattern of courses in a few science majors makes it easiest for those students to study abroad during a particular term. It’s important that students contemplating mathematics, computer science, and certain science majors talk with their advisors and figure out their study abroad plans early in their college career—before registering for their freshman Centre-Term and spring term courses.
How competitive are the long-term, residential programs? Will I be selected for a slot?
All of our programs have a set number of “spots,” and some programs are more competitive than others. Students should be aware that applying for a program does not guarantee their selection in that program. In the past, the majority of Centre students who have applied for one of our residential programs have been selected, although some have not been selected for a particular program the first time they applied or have not been selected for their top choice. The Centre Commitment does not guarantee that all students can study abroad in the particular program and at the particular time of their choosing. Our office is happy to meet in person with students to discuss the application and selection process.
Can I study abroad more than once?
Yes. You now may study abroad more than once in your Centre career, you may also participate in as many Centre-Term and K.I.I.S. programs as you wish (and can afford) as long as you meet your required 4 year graduation timeline.
When do I apply, and how?
Information about and applications for next year’s semester programs as well as Centre-Term offerings will be made available at campus-wide meetings just before Thanksgiving and in early January. Applications for the following school year (fall, Centre-Term, and spring) are due at the beginning of spring term, and selections are announced within two weeks. Centre-Term course participants are selected by the faculty directors of those courses.
Can you explain how senior subsidy works?
In order to encourage every four-year Centre student to study abroad at least once, the College will help to subsidize the cost of a Centre-Term course abroad during their senior year or a summer course the summer before their senior year for upcoming seniors who 1) are on need-based financial aid with a low government-determined EFC (Expected Family Contribution) and a significant amount of unmet need (“gap”), and 2) have not previously participated in a study abroad or study away program of any sort. Yes. Every year in late January, a call goes out to students to apply for a small number of restricted funds to support study abroad. These awards are highly competitive and don't fully cover the cost to study abroad. More information on them is available under the Awards heading.
Are there other sources of funding to help defray the costs of studying abroad?
Yes. Every year in late February to early March, a call goes out to students to apply for a small number of restricted funds to support study abroad. These awards are highly competitive and don't fully cover the cost to study abroad. More information on them is available under the Awards heading.
When should I start thinking about studying abroad at Centre?
Right now. Let your advisor know when you are thinking of studying abroad. And feel free to e-mail Karen Ryan and Dr. Lori Hartmann with any questions.
Obtaining a Passport
If you do not currently have a passport that will remain valid for at least six months after your return date, you should begin the process of obtaining one as soon as you are selected for a study abroad program, since it can sometimes take six or more weeks. You can do this at the Danville USPS office on Main Street. The Centre’s Your Passport program reimburses the $135 cost of a passport to first-year students who have never before had a passport and who bring their receipts to the Center for Global Citizenship by the end of their freshman fall semester. The CGC also offer a Passport Fair in the fall to help students obtain these passports conveniently on campus and to help students renew older passports (these are not reimbursed).