Travel Course FAQ

Starting in 2025, all travel course participants are responsible for purchasing their own flight unless otherwise specified. It is incredibly important to follow the flight policy posted on the program application page to ensure that everything goes smoothly. Do NOT purchase flights before the Dec. 1 commitment date, as some courses may not meet minimum enrollment requirements and could get cancelled or postponed.

All flights must be purchased between Jan. 1 and Feb. 1, for spring extension courses (subject to change). If you are unable to purchase your flight between this time period, you may still be liable for the travel course fee, even if you cannot attend the trip.

The Center for Global Engagement reserves the right to withdraw any students who do not comply with the flight policy.

Do NOT purchase flights before the commitment date, as some courses may not meet minimum enrollment requirements and could get cancelled or postponed. All flights must be purchased between Jan. 1 and Feb. 1. If you are unable to purchase your flight between this time period, you may still be liable for the travel course fee even if you cannot attend the trip.

The Center for Global Engagement (CGE) will give students a window of time in which they are required to arrive at the host country’s selected airport. Students may be responsible for ensuring they arrange travel from the host country airport to the hostel/hotel/accommodation/meeting point. CGE reserves the right to withdraw any students who do not comply with the flight policy.

All travel course fees are billed to your bursar account. Contact the financial aid office to determine how and if existing aid can be used.

The travel fee generally includes all activities/excursions listed on the finalized itinerary as well as some meals and international travel insurance.

Students should budget for flights, souvenirs, some meals and an international phone plan in addition to the listed fee. Additionally, some destinations may require a visa or entry fee and/or vaccinations that would not be included in the course fee.

All travel course fees are billed to your bursar account. Please consult the bursar’s office to check if you are eligible for a payment plan.

Enrollment in travel courses through self-service is restricted. If you are interested in taking and committing to a travel course, you will need to register through the Center for Global Engagement using the course website on the abroad portal. After the commitment date, students who have been cleared to travel, have completed the application and have committed to the course by signing the Travel Course Commitment Form, will be automatically enrolled in the course.

If it is past the commitment date and you have not been enrolled, contact your student success coach.

If it is after the commitment date and you have signed the Travel Course Commitment Form, you will be liable for some or all the travel fee, regardless of your ability to participate in the program.

After the commitment date, deposits and reservations have already been made on your behalf. If there is an emergency or extenuating circumstances, contact CGE as soon as possible so they can work to recoup as many costs as possible.

Both internal and external scholarships are generally available for travel courses. Visit the scholarship tab on the program page or contact CGE directly to see the most relevant information.

Yes, all spring extension courses depart after commencement. Please note that since grades will be posted post-commencement, you may have a delay in receiving your finalized transcript and other documents. If finalized documents are needed for other post-graduate opportunities, you will want to ensure that you receive them on time for any deadlines.

Most travel courses are offered as “Spring Extension” courses. This means that the courses are listed on your Spring enrollment and billing, but travel happens after commencement. This also means that the course may meet less frequently during the school year, as academic contact hours happen during the abroad portion.

For example, instead of meeting three hours a week for a three credit hour class, the class might only meet two hours a week until departure. You will want to consult with the lead professor about when the course will meet as each is slightly different. Below is a list of the different terms and when they travel.

• Spring Break: Shows up on transcript as a spring course but requires some travel in March. Students will be billed as usual for a spring semester course.
• Spring Extension: Shows up on transcript as a spring course but requires some travel in May/June. Students will be billed as usual for a spring semester course.
• Fall Extension: Shows up on transcript as a fall course but requires some travel during the Thanksgiving holiday or during the winter holiday. Students will be billed as usual for a fall semester course.
• J-Term: Shows up on transcript as a January term course. Most often, the entire three-credit hour course takes place during the first three weeks of January. Meaning, the entire course is taken abroad. In this case, the course will appear on your transcript as a “January term” class, but you will be billed during the spring semester. Sometimes professors will offer fall or spring courses that simply travel during the January term. In these cases, the student is billed during the fall or spring and the course is listed on your transcript as a fall or spring course. Check the course website for the most up to date information and reach out to CGE if you have any outstanding questions.

All travel courses require participants to travel abroad to complete the course. Students cannot enroll themselves in a travel course, instead they must go through the Center for Global Engagement. Travel courses may meet less frequently during the semester as academic hours are achieved abroad. Travel courses also include an added travel fee that is billed to your bursar’s account.

All courses are listed on the abroad portal. Students can also view courses on self-service under the “Travel required” section. However, students will need to go through the abroad portal to register and enroll.

Unless it is a language course or otherwise specified on the program, foreign language is not required.