Where WIll I Go?

Where Will I Go?

Where Will I Go?

Destinations

Montevideo

URUGUAY

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer

Scholarship for Fall 2023 / Spring 2024 Applicants

Leipzig

GERMANY

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer

Oxford

ENGLAND

Term: Fall, Spring, Summer

Oxford, England

A VIBRANT CENTER OF FAITH AND LEARNING FOR NEARLY A THOUSAND YEARS

  • An international city bursting with diverse people and perspectives from around the world.
  • Travel and encounter the unique cultures in Great Britian.
  • Deepen your faith by engaging in one of Oxford’s many Christian communities.
  •  Create life-long relationships with fellow ACU students, faculty, and Oxford locals.

Montevideo, Uruguay

A BUSTLING CITY WHERE ART, MUSIC, HISTORY, AND BUSINESS MEET TO FORM A CITY STEEPED IN CULTURE

  • Enhance your Spanish language skills through engaging with locals and cultural experiences.
  • Deepen your faith by engaging in one of Montevideo’s many Christian ministries.
  •  Create life-long relationships with fellow ACU students, faculty, and Montevideo locals.
  • Travel and experience the beauty and culture of South America.

Leipzig, Germany

FROM LUTHER TO BACH TO GOETHE TO NAPOLEAN TO PORSCHE: GERMANY’S MOST FASCINATING CITY

  • Explore the city’s rich history of philosophy, music, religion, and culture.
  • Study the German language through engaging with locals and travling throughout Germany.
  • Deepen your faith by joining one of Leipzig’s many churches and Christian communities.
  •  Create life-long relationships with fellow ACU students, faculty, and Leipzig locals.
l

Apply Now

 

 

Study Abroad

Studying abroad with ACU gives you the chance not only to travel, but to live in another place and culture. You’ll share deep experiences with other ACU students and meet people whose views will challenge and expand your own. Observe new ways of life and customs, explore nature and architecture, experience new foods, and examine new ways of thinking.

This semester will change you. You’ll return home better equipped to make a real difference in the world.

Take the next step

Apply Online Today!

FAQs

Application Process
  1. When is the application deadline? The deadline for each program is 120 days before departure. However, most of our semester programs fill up many months in advance of this deadline. For example, programs for your sophomore year will typically fill up in the fall of your freshman year.
  2. How do I apply? To apply to a study abroad program, submit your application online, turn in the application fee. Only applications that have all forms and the application fee can hold a spot. You will then request two references from ACU Faculty. Once both references are in, the application packet will be reviewed and you will be notified of your acceptance status.
  3. What if I decide to withdraw from a program? If you withdraw from a program, your application fee is non-refundable and you may also incur additional withdraw charges. Please see our Withdrawal Policy for details.
  4. Will a semester abroad keep me from graduating in four years? If planned in advance, no. We have carefully selected classes so that a semester abroad should help you graduate within your four-year goal.
I've Been Accepted, What's Next?

Now that you’ve been accepted, you will have many questions! We will have “pre-departure orientations” for each group addressing all of the details, but we know you are eager!

  1. When will we have meetings? We will email you with dates, times, and locations for our pre-departure orientations. These are required meetings. You may also be invited to other meetings by your professors, so try to make it to everything you can and get to know the people you are going to be living with.
Billing
  1. How do I pay for this? Can financial aid help with study abroad expenses? Yes! You will still be able to apply your ACU financial aid package to your semester abroad. Also, the program fee qualifies as an additional academic expense, thereby making some students eligible for more aid. For more information about financial aid, talk to your financial aid counselor and the ACU Study Abroad coordinator.
  2. What is the Study Abroad program fee? Program fees for full semesters range between $7,000 and $8,000, depending on the destination and length of the program. Semester program fees include airfare, group excursions and overseas medical insurance. Summer fees range from $5,000 to $7,000 based on destination and length of the program. This includes airfare, group excursions, overseas medical insurance and housing. Check the details of individual programs for more information.
  3. What else will be on my ACU bill the semester I study abroad? For summers, usually nothing, unless you go over on your block tuition hours. For semester programs, in addition to the program fee, you will be charged a study abroad housing charge (same as a sophomore dorm on campous), and a meal plan charge. As well as tuition and fees at the regular ACU block tuition rate.
  4. When will the program fee be charged to my account? It will occur at the same time as all billing for that semester. Fall charges are usually posted the first week of June, spring charges are posted the first week of December, and summer charges are posted in the first week of May.
  5. What other expenses should I expect? You will have expenses such as personal travel on breaks, souvenirs, and laundry. From what we have observed, most students spend between $1,500 and $2,500 on personal expenses.
  6. I have scholarships, how do I make sure they are posted to my account? Each department is responsible for communicating those scholarships to the ACU Billing Office. Contact Wildcat Central or ACU Study Abroad if you have questions or need more information.
  7. When is the last day to withdraw without being charged the program fee? 120 days prior to departure. Please see our Withdrawal Ineligibility Policy.
Passports, Visas, & Vaccinations
  1. When do you need to have a copy of my passport? If applying for a new passport, expect it to arive 6-8 weeks after finishing the application correctly, and we will need a copy of it at least 60 days prior to departure.
  2. Should I renew my current passport? It must be valid for at least 6 months after your return date. For example, if you are returning from Study Abroad in May 2021, your passport will need to be valid through November 2021.
  3. Where can I apply for a passport? The best way to apply for a passport is to download the application form from travel.state.gov. If you have any questions stop by our office, we are happy to help.
  4. Do I need a visa? If you are a U.S. citizen traveling to one of our programs in the United Kingdom, Uruguay or Germany, you will not need a visa. If there are changes to these regulations, the study abroad office will walk you through these requirements.
  5. What vaccinations will I need? For the Montevideo program, due to current Uruguayan entry regulations, it is still required that all participating students be fully vaccinated for COVID-19. Currently, the Center for Disease Control does not require any additional vaccinations for the United Kingdom or Germany but check www.cdc.gov for more up-to-date information. Please consult your family doctor to make sure you are healthy enough to study abroad and ask if he or she recommends any vaccinations.
Preparing to Study Abroad
  1. When is the required orientations for ACU Study Abroad programs? Fall programs have orientation in April and also the two days in August before departure. Spring programs have orientation in November and also the two days in January before departure. Summer programs have orientation in April.
  2. Who makes the flight arrangements? The ACU Study Abroad office arranges all flights to and from all study abroad destinations. You are not able to use frequent flyer miles or make other arrangements for flights to and from your destination.
Housing
  1. I will be a sophomore when I study abroad or return from study abroad – how do I arrange my on-campus dorm for the other semester? If you are a sophomore during the year or semester you are studying abroad, dorm assignments will follow ACU’s already established housing processes. If this applies to you, you will be contacted separately by ACU Resident Life. If you study abroad in the spring, you will email ACU Resident Life when it is time to sign up for housing, and inform them that you will only need fall housing.
  2. I will be an upperclassman and will not be living on campus when I depart and/or when I return, how do I find housing while I am away, or how do I find someone to sublease my space while I am gone? This can obviously be done through word of mouth connections, but we get this question a lot, so we created this form for you to fill out! It takes you directly to a spreadsheet of information collected from others who have filled out the form, and you can make your own connections that way!
Flight Information
  1. Can I pay for my flight on my own or with airline miles? ACU Study Abroad books all of your flights to and from the destination and the airfare is included in your program fee.
  2. What if I want to stay in the country or travel after the classes end? We call this “deviating”, which is just the airlines’ way of saying you change the date of your return flight. If you would like to extend your stay, you need to discuss the process with the study abroad coordinator no later than 10 days before departure. Please keep in mind any expenses involved in this are your responsibility and you will not be allowed to remain in the ACU Study Abroad housing after the end of your program.
  3. Can my family visit me? Absolutely! Families are welcome to visit but are encouraged to do so either during your fall or spring break, or at the end of the program after you have completed your course work and are free to travel. Visitors are not allowed to stay overnight in ACU facilities. 
Departure
  1. What are the approximate dates of a Study Abroad program? We follow the ACU academic calendar semester start and end dates as closely as possible. Our semester programs leave the Wednesday of the first week of class and return either Wednesday or Thursday of finals week. Summer program dates vary. Please see summer program flyers for more details. Travel breaks and other on-site schedule details change from program to program, so please refrain from planning any travel until you have received a detailed calendar for your program.
  2. Where do we depart from? For all semester long programs  students are required to attend two days of Check-In sessions (orientation) in Abilene. On Wednesday, immediately following the Check-In sessions, the students will all travel together to DFW on an ACU coach. It is absolutely required for all students participating in an ACU Study Abroad semester program to participate in the Check-In sessions in Abilene before departure. We recommend that students plan on being in Abilene the day before the Check-In sessions begin.
  3. Can we stay on campus for the orientation? During the duration of the Check-In sessions the ACU Study Abroad office will not arrange lodging for the students. It is the student’s responsibility to find a place to stay during Check-In. The most common arrangements include, but are not limited to, staying with a friend in the dorms, staying in a hotel, or staying off-campus with friends, relatives, etc.
  4. Can family come? Parents are welcome and encouraged to participate in the student send-off. On the day of departure (in Abilene), parents are able to join the students before boarding the coach that will take the students to DFW. Alternatively, parents are also welcome to meet the student in DFW.
  5. How much luggage can I bring? Luggage limits are determined by the airline. Due to the constant changes in policies regarding luggage, we direct the student to the airline’s website as soon as we have a confirmation of what airline and flight will be used for that particular semester. Students can typically expect to have one 50lb checked bag, a carry-on bag (must fit the airlines specifications, otherwise student might incur an additional charge) and a personal item (ie. laptop bag, backpack, purse, etc).
Packing

All students will be allowed one standard size “checked” bag under 50lb., and one carry on, plus a personal item that will fit under the seat in front of you (purse or small backpack). For specific dimensions, you will need to look up the requirements set by your airline. IF you wish to bring more than one checked bag, you can pay the airline for it at check-in. However, we like to live by the “less is more” motto, since you will be responsible for carrying your own bags. We also have laundry available in all of our houses, and there is plenty of shopping available.

Don’t worry, you will receive more specific information about what to pack in your pre-departure guide depending on the season, duration and location of your semester. If you have specific questions, please don’t hesitate to contact us!

Living Overseas
  1. How will I access money overseas? You will use an ATM card to access money. We recommend that you have two cards in case one is destroyed or lost.
  2. How will I exchange money overseas? We recommend not bringing much U.S. currency to exchange, and instead accessing local currency through ATMs. If you need a place to exchange money, you can exchange U.S. dollars at a nearby bank or Bureau de Change.
  3. What is the housing situation for Study Abroad students? All students will live in our facilities along with their professors. Most situations involve 1-3 roommates and community bathrooms. Our facilities also have kitchens for student use. Bedding and Linens are provided in all locations. ACU Study Abroad housing are located in safe neighborhoods close to parks, bus stations, cafes, stores, and markets.
  4. Will I have access to the internet? Yes, wireless internet access is available in all our facilities.
  5. Should I take my cell phone? Please consult your provider to learn more about international plans. Many students turn their cell phone to airplane mode and use the internet to communicate. Students come to appreciate the freedom that comes with not having cell phone data.
  6. How does an ACU meal plan work at the ACU Study Abroad sites? For semester programs in Oxford and Leipzig, your meal plan charge acts as a deposit and you will receive your meal plan money in 5 installments throughout the semester. You can use this money to buy groceries or eat at restaurants. For semester programs in Montevideo, breakfast and lunch is provided Monday through Friday (or the equivalent), and you can cook or eat out at night and on the weekends. Meals are not included for the summer programs at any of our locations, so please plan for this independently.
  7. What classes will I take, and who will teach them? In a semester program, you will enroll in 15 hours of ACU courses. These courses are chosen to further you in your degree plan and allow any major to spend the semester abroad. These courses are taught by our on-site directors and other local professors. Also, an ACU faculty member will travel with each group and teach courses from his or her discipline. While there are structured class room meetings, our programs are wholistic in nature and incorporate field trips throughout the city, country and continent.
  8. What worship opportunities will be available? Each location has a weekly devotional time led by students or professors. In Oxford, there are many opportunities to experience different styles of worship. Most students attend and volunteer at Anglican churches near our facility. A Church of Christ is an easy bus ride away. In Leipzig, there are also many worship options. Students are welcome to visit local congregations for Sunday worship. There is an English-speaking church that many students have attended in the past. In Montevideo, the Church of Christ is close to our facility. Students are also welcome to visit other local congregations. 
  9. Will I have opportunities to travel? Yes! You will take several group excursions related to your class material. You will also have a week off of class and at least one long weekend for personal travel. You are not allowed to travel alone.
  10. Should I be worried about terrorism overseas? Safety is one of our primary concerns. We teach students to be alert and aware. Of course no one can make guarantees against terrorism in Oxford, Montevideo, Leipzig, Abilene or your hometown, but we can be prepared.
  11. How is the Study Abroad office prepared in the case of a medical, political or natural emergency? Our office has emergency response plans for each of these situations. We buy evacuation insurance for each student, and we register each student with the U.S. State Department so the local embassies can assist our students.
  12. Where can I go for more information about studying abroad? If you have specific questions about our application process or programs, please email the Study Abroad Office at studyabroad@acu.edu. If you would like to read more information about studying abroad, please visit the U.S State Department Website. If you would like more information about passports please go to http://travel.state.gov. For general information about your student’s destination and possible travel opportunities, we suggest investing in some travel guide books.
Summer Programs

Our summer programs are a great opportunity for students that have a tight degree plan, or just can not figure out a way to go for a full semester. The summer programs offer department specific courses, but they can be taken as electives, towards a minor, or anyway that is beneficial for your degree plan. This means that any major is more than welcome to participate in any of our programs. In our summer programs we offer around 3 courses, but students will only take 1-2 courses while abroad. The trips will last anywhere from 3-6 weeks depending on the department and the classes being offered. While you are abroad, as a part of your program fee, ACU will take you on a 1-2 day short group excursion and a 4-5 day extended group excursion. While our summer programs are amazing and offer the chance for students with a tight degree plan to go abroad, we often have students return home after the summer feeling that the trip just wasn’t long enough. While on the other hand, we have never had a student return home from a semester abroad saying that it was too long. In fact, many of our students will try and go abroad for multiple semesters. 

Policies
  • Withdrawal Ineligibility Policy
  • Alcohol/Drug Policy
  • Behavior Contract
  • 15 hour Enrollment Policy for Full Semesters:
    To keep our focus on academics while abroad, we require all students participating during full semesters to be enrolled in at least 15 hours. Most students will take 16 hours, as we offer Walking for Fitness in all of our locations. If a student has a special situation or a compelling reason to take less than 15 hours during a semester abroad, an official appeal can be made to the Executive Director of Study Abroad, Stephen Shewmaker, in the form of a formal letter.
  • Policy for Dropping courses after departure during Full Semesters
    To maintain our 15 hour requirement and keep the focus on academics, we do not allow students to drop or switch courses after departure. If a student has a special situation or a compelling reason to drop a course while abroad, an official appeal can be made to the Executive Director of Study Abroad, Stephen Shewmaker, in the form of a formal letter.

Testimonials

“Study abroad gave me the reality that I have experienced this different country. I can vividly picture Uruguay. It’s not just some dot on a map, it’s a place filled with people I’ve met, views I’ve taken in, food I’ve tasted, a language I’ve spoken, and memories I cherish.”

Mya Parker

 

“While in Oxford (for study abroad) I went places that I’ll never forget and made friendships that will last well after college. I stepped out of my comfort zone, and it changed me. Oxford will always hold a special place in my heart, and I will always be grateful for my time there.”

Jack Marcelain

 

“Spending a semester abroad in Leipzig has forever changed my life because of the ways in which it taught me how to take a posture of humility and gratitude to the people and places surrounding me. The history, cultural diversity, and the natural serenity of the city of Leipzig is divinely unique and I cannot imagine a better place to spend a semester abroad with ACU. “

Erin Hodgson 

ACU Study Abroad

(325)674-2754

Now Accepting Applications

Join us for a journey abroad.

Apply Today

Copyright © 2020 – Abilene Christian University. All Right Reserved