Application Process

1. How can I apply for an ACU Study Abroad program? Application Forms are available here, or you can pick up an application packet in the Administration Building, Room 124.
2. 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 November of your freshman year.
3. How do I save a spot in a program? To hold a spot in a semester program, turn in the $250 application fee and six of the application forms: Checklist, Application, Emergency Contacts, Behavior Contract, Release and Indemnification Agreement, and the Withdrawal Policy. Only applications that have all six forms and the application fee can hold a spot. Because we want to give professors a chance to get to know incoming freshmen, we do not accept reference forms until November. Beginning in November, you can turn in your three reference forms. Once all the references are in, the application packet will be reviewed and you will be notified by mail in February of your acceptance status. Spots are filled by qualified applicants based on when the completed application packet was submitted. Once the program is full, students with later completion dates will be placed on a wait-list.
4. What if I decide to back out of a program? If you withdraw from a program, your application fee is non-refundable and you may also incur additional penalty charges. Please see our Withdrawal Policy for details.  
5. Will a semester abroad keep me from graduating in four years? No, we have carefully selected classes so that a semester abroad should help you graduate within your four-year goal.

 

Cost

1. What is the Study Abroad program fee? Program fees range between $4,000 and $6,800, depending on the destination and length of the program. Semester program fees include airfare, group excursions and overseas medical insurance. Summer program fees include airfare, group excursions, overseas medical insurance and housing. Download the flyers for Oxford, Germany and Latin America for more specific information.
2. What else will be on my ACU bill the semester I study abroad? In addition to the program fee, you will be charged for tuition and fees at the regular ACU rate, sophomore housing and a meal plan.
3. When will the program fee be charged to my account? Program fees will be posted along with your tuition the semester or summer that you study abroad.
4. What other expenses should I expect? You will have personal expenses such as traveling on breaks, souvenirs and laundry. From what we have observed, most students spend between $1,000 and $2,000 on personal expenses.
5. 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 counts as an additional academic expense, so it makes some students eligible for more aid. If you currently receive the Pell Grant, you should ask your financial aid counselor about the Gilman Award. For more information about financial aid, talk to your financial aid counselor. 

 

Preparing to study abroad

1. 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. Submit your application in person at a local post office, county courthouse or some public libraries.  
2. Will 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.
3. What vaccinations will I need? Currently, the Center for Disease Control does not require any vaccinations for the United Kingdom, Uruguay 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.
4. When is the required orientation for 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.
5. Who makes the flight arrangements? The Study Abroad office arranges all flights to and from the Study Abroad destination. You are not able to use flyer miles on the trips to and from your destination, but you are allowed to use them within Europe/South America on personal trips.
6. 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 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.

 

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 cash 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. Bedding is provided in Oxford, Latin America and Germany. The facilities are in safe neighborhoods close to parks, bus stations and markets.
4. Will I have access to the internet? Yes, wireless internet access is available in our facilities in Germany, Latin America and Oxford. Ethernet connections are available in the Germany apartments. If you are traveling to other destinations, you will be able to use local internet cafes. Many families use the internet to keep in touch with their students through email or skype.com.
5. Should I take my cell phone? Please consult your provider to learn more about international plans. Most students do not take their cell phones. Some students buy a pre-paid phone upon arrival, or share a pre-paid phone with several students in their group.
6. Will my iPhone be helpful abroad? AT&T's website is helpful in answering questions about using your iPhone while abroad. This Website explains options for upgrading your plan, turning off roaming and other helpful tips. It is important to talk with representatives at AT&T to get the most accurate information.
7. How does an ACU meal plan work at the ACU Study Abroad sites? For semester programs in Oxford and Germany, 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 Latin America, 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, so please plan for this independently.
8. What classes will I take, and who will teach them? In a semester program, you will enroll in 15 hours of courses in topics such as Literature, ACU Core, Biblical Studies and Social Science. These courses are taught by our on-site directors and other professors. Also, a visiting faculty member will travel with each group and teach courses from his or area of study. We have classrooms in our facilities, but you will also spend class time on intentionally planned field trips throughout the city, country and continent.
9. What worship opportunities will be available? In Montevideo, the Church of Christ is next door to our facility. You are also welcome to visit other local congregations. Students and professors take turns leading chapel several times a week. 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. Students and professors meet at 9 p.m. every Sunday for chapel. In Germany, there are also many worship options. In addition to chapel meetings with the study abroad group, students are welcome to visit local congregations for Sunday worship. There is an English-speaking church that many students have attended in the past. 
10. Will I have opportunities to travel? Yes! You will take several trips with the directors as a group. These trips will be 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.
11. 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.
12. 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.
13. Can my family visit me? Absolutely! Families are welcome to visit nut are encouraged to do so at the end of the program after you have completed your classes and homework and are free to travel. If you would like to extend your stay, you need to discuss the process with the Study Abroad Coordinator no later than 90 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 specific program. 
14. 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 study_abroad@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.