Global Education (Study Abroad)

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Office of Global Education

The Office of Global Education (OGE) develops and facilitates global academic programs, including study abroad and exchange, for Georgetown undergraduates. OGE provides guidance and expert consultation for all aspects of international programs including academic and program advising, program and partnership management, application and enrollment processes, risk management oversight, and business services. By enrolling and supporting hundreds of students in high-impact global and intercultural programs around the world each year, OGE supports the educational mission of the university and helps define its international character.

Overview of Programs

OGE offers a broad and diverse range of study abroad programs whereby a Georgetown student can earn Georgetown or study abroad transfer credit for approved completed work, varying by program type.  Through a diverse portfolio of program offerings, OGE provides opportunities for every Georgetown student to find a program that fits their unique academic and personal goals. Despite differences in location, length, eligibility requirements, and mode of delivery, all OGE programs emphasize academic quality, participant safety, and meaningful global learning outcomes rooted in industry standards as well as Georgetown’s institutional values. 

Generally, there are two types of study abroad programs available to Georgetown undergraduates: Georgetown-affiliated programs (Direct Enrollment and Program Provider) and Georgetown-administered programs (Faculty-Led, Living and Learning Communities, and Georgetown University in Qatar). Georgetown-affiliated approved programs offer study abroad transfer credits. The grades earned on these programs are reflected on the Georgetown transcript; these grades are not factored into the Georgetown QPA, but are eligible for credit towards certain curricular requirements at Georgetown.  Georgetown-administered programs offer Georgetown credits that compute into the Georgetown QPA. Courses taken on an approved program may be eligible for credit towards certain curricular requirements at Georgetown, as directed by the academic departments and schools. 

Below are examples of major program categories:  

  • Direct Enrollment: Students are enrolled at an approved foreign university as visiting students for a semester or full academic year, taking classes alongside local and other international students. The emphasis of these programs is linguistic and cultural immersion; students enrolling at non-English speaking universities are generally required to demonstrate advanced proficiency in their host university’s language of instruction. 
  • Provider Programs: These are approved programs that are offered through another U.S. university or organization that provides education abroad services to students from a variety of institutions. They may be short or long-term, and may also include options for direct enrollment at a local university along with courses developed specifically for visiting students. Some have specific thematic or discipline-based learning outcomes while others are more general. These programs typically provide a high standard of on-site student support.
  • Georgetown University Faculty-Led Programs: Typically shorter in duration, these programs are developed and taught in collaboration with Georgetown’s own faculty members. Coursework on these programs offer GU credit and are well integrated into department and school curricula, sometimes even embedded into a specific Main Campus course. The learning outcomes of these programs vary widely and reflect the faculty member’s expertise, course topics, and program location. 
  • Georgetown University Living and Learning Communities at Villa Le Balze: Throughout the year, Georgetown welcomes cohorts of undergraduates to study at Villa Le Balze, its study center in Fiesole, Italy to participate in global living and learning communities. In addition to their academic course load, Villa Le Balze programs challenge students to continuously reflect on the individual and shared experience of living abroad, and to cultivate a sense of identity within the dual contexts of a residential community of peers as well as a new cultural environment. Students may expect structured academic and community-building programming, as well as high levels of on-site student support.   
  • Georgetown University in Doha, Qatar: Georgetown’s international campus in Doha, Qatar accepts visiting students for a semester or summer term. Students join an international community that remains distinctly Georgetown. In addition to Georgetown coursework, students may also cross-register to take courses through other U.S. institutions based in Education City. 

Advising

OGE’s professional advising staff help students make informed decisions about program options, academic planning, and financial considerations as they prepare for global education programs. Once students have been admitted to their program, OGE continues to provide guidance on preparations for travel, risk management, and integration into their new academic and cultural setting; OGE remains available to provide support throughout their participation in their program. 

Students interested or planning to participate in an OGE program should begin by attending a Study Abroad 101 session to receive general information about program options, eligibility requirements, and application timelines and procedures. Students may meet with individual advisors by appointment to speak about regional or program-specific study abroad options. 

Academic Planning

OGE programs are open to students in all majors and academic interests. Some programs may be more suitable for certain areas of study, and some majors may be more restrictive than others about how courses taken on an OGE-approved program may be applied toward fulfilling degree requirements. Students work closely with both their OGE advisor and curricular advising dean to select a program that best fits their academic needs and interests and develop a list of pre-approved courses that allow them to maintain progress toward completing degree requirements.

For information on academic policies, processes, and regulations related to study abroad and the Office of Global Education at Georgetown, please review the Academic Regulations: Study Abroad section of the bulletin.

Financial Considerations

As participants in OGE programs, students remain matriculated at Georgetown University for the term they are enrolled and are thus eligible to apply financial aid toward the costs of OGE programs. Students should consult the Office of Student Financial Services for details on their individual financial aid packages.

Students studying abroad for a semester or academic year are billed Georgetown tuition. The tuition payment does not cover the additional costs of living abroad such as transportation, meals, housing, passport/visa fees, insurance, or personal expenses. Fees for short-term programs are determined on an annual basis and include academic fees, room and partial board, program-organized excursions, and mandatory supplemental health insurance. Airfare to/from the program location is not included for OGE education abroad programs.

For students traveling abroad on an OGE program, the cost of living will vary depending on the city and country in which the program is located. 

Health and Safety Abroad

Studying away from Georgetown’s campus involves inherent and sometimes complex risks. OGE is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and productive learning experience for every student pursuing an educational experience through our office. Risk mitigation and response has been developed to promote the safety and wellbeing of every program participant.