We expect students to be active, informed participants who take a proactive role in their experience. We encourage students to establish a communication plan with their parents, families, or friends while abroad and to share relevant information and decisions with them. Further, to help facilitate students taking ownership over their own responsibilities and choices, we strive to communicate directly with individual students on all programmatic matters. 

Please also note that the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) is a U.S. federal law that protects the privacy of student education records. Under FERPA, Centre Global is prohibited from disclosing information related to a student’s abroad or away course selection, grades, billing and account information, housing, or contact information. 

Students can apply their Centre College institutional aid (scholarships, grants, loans) to approved semester-long study abroad/away programs; as a result, they pay the same charges (tuition, room, board, and fees) that they would typically pay to study at Centre. Summer and CentreTerm costs vary by program. Both internal and external scholarship funds are available although they are often highly competitive and require early application. For more information see Cost and Details page.

Withdrawal deadlines vary by program term and can be found at Important Dates. After a program withdrawal deadline Centre Global will make program payments on behalf of participants. Students are responsible for all non-recoverable expenses paid out on their behalf.  For more information see the Centre Global Withdrawal and Refund Policy.

The guiding principle at Centre Global is duty of care, our number one priority is to act prudently and cautiously to avoid injury or harm to students, faculty, and staff. Our office carefully monitors the status of all locations where our students will be studying and will send direct communication to students in the event of State Department travel advisories (Level 4 would lead to program cancellation or rescheduling, while Level 3 warrants additional scrutiny). Centre Global ensures students are thoroughly oriented and briefed for all locations abroad/away. Prior to travel we recommend participants:

• • Enroll in the U.S Dept. of State: Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP)
  • Follow the US Department of State Best Practices for Traveler Safety
  • Review US Department of State travel advisories and alerts for country-specific personal security risks and safety tips

The College EIIA insurance policy covers all Centre faculty/students/staff who are traveling abroad on behalf of the institution, or as a participant in institution sponsored trips. This is a comprehensive insurance plan that provides a wide variety of services for students abroad, including 24/7 emergency assistance. Students are not required to purchase additional travel insurance but may optionally purchase additional travel insurance plans if they wish.

All students on a Centre Global study abroad/away on a program participate in a travel medicine clinic, which provides up-to-date information outlining diseases and vaccinations. Students are encouraged to contact their primary care team if they have questions relating to vaccinations or prescription medications.

Helping your student select the right study abroad or away program is an exciting opportunity to support their academic and personal growth. We encourage students to consider their academic goals, interests, and desired cultural experiences, as well as practical considerations like language requirements or financial factors. Students can explore the various options available, and you can guide them in reviewing program details, including course offerings, accommodation types, and on-site support. All program information can be found in the Via Global brochures, which provides comprehensive details to help both you and your student make an informed decision.

Our application cycle opens once per year in November and closes in February for the upcoming academic year (Summer, Fall, CentreTerm and Spring semesters). There are several requirements and steps involved to apply and participate in a study abroad and away program or course. We offer advising services throughout the process and encourage students to make in-person appointments using Navigate (student Centre log-in is required).

All students must complete an online application and submit all pre-departure forms through Via Global (our dedicated study abroad software). Programs are competitive and students must meet all eligibility prerequisites and fulfill all pre-departure requirements.

Students will attend in-person or virtual pre-departure meetings to prepare them for departure, we encourage students to communicate important information from these meetings with parents or families as relevant. All students must submit an Acceptance Agreement, a Study Abroad/Away Health Declaration, and provide passport information (for abroad programs). For more information on passport validity and how to obtain a passport please review the Before you go page.

Centre Global collaborates closely with on-site staff, faculty directors, and resident coordinators for all programs and courses, maintaining direct communication about any issues or emergencies that may arise abroad. We also stay in regular contact with students via email and encourage them to reach out with any questions or concerns. Students participating in direct enrollment or third-party provider programs are encouraged to utilize on-site support and resources for more immediate assistance.

We understand that some parents, families, and friends may wish to visit their students during off-campus study. Parents and other family members are strongly encouraged to visit students on study abroad only during vacation periods or at the conclusion of the program. We recommend waiting until after your student has arrived to make travel plans, in case there are any changes to the schedule. All visiting family members and friends should make their own arrangements for housing when visiting a student abroad. Visitors will not be able to stay in homestays or any other student housing. Students are not permitted to miss classes or scheduled academic activities to host visiting family or friends. Any absences resulting from these visits will be considered unexcused and, depending on program participation requirements, may negatively impact a student’s grades.

Once your student completes their study abroad or away program, all courses completed in a pre-approved program will automatically transfer back to Centre, usually as elective credits. For major/minor credits or to fulfill specific course or General Education requirements, students must submit a petition with the relevant program chair to the Registrar's office.