Global Education (Study Abroad)

Office of Global Education

The Office of Global Education (OGE) offers credit-bearing study abroad opportunities for Georgetown University undergraduate students.  Georgetown administers or affiliates with more than 150 programs in 50 countries, offering a variety of program models, lengths, terms, and academic focuses to meet students’ diverse needs and goals.  These credit-bearing global education opportunities form a crucial part of the Georgetown global learning experience and, in doing so, help define the international character of the institution. 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.

Overview of Programs

Below are examples of major program categories:  

• Direct Enrollment: Students are enrolled at an approved foreign university as visiting students for a semester or a 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 offers GU academic credit and is integrated into department and school curricula, sometimes even embedded into an on-campus course. The learning outcomes of these programs vary widely and reflect the faculty member’s expertise, course topics, and program location. 
• Georgetown in Florence: Villa Le Balze: Throughout the year, Georgetown welcomes cohorts of undergraduates to study at Villa Le Balze, its study center in Fiesole, Italy. In addition to their academic offerings, Villa Le Balze programs challenge students to reflect on the individual and shared experience of living abroad and to cultivate a sense of community among their peers in a new cultural environment. Students may expect structured academic and co-curricular 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 a 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 guide preparations for travel, risk management, and integration into their new academic and cultural setting. OGE staff remain available to provide support throughout students' time abroad. 

Students interested in 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 program advisors to discuss specific study abroad opportunities. 

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 fulfill 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. During the application process, students develop a list of proposed courses that will allow them to maintain degree progress

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 Aid 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. However, estimated out of pocket costs are shared with the Office of Student Financial Aid for financial aid purposes. 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 have been developed to promote the safety and well-being of every program participant. 

Study Abroad Policies

In addition to the Academic Policies outlined in the Academic Regulations: Study Abroad section of the bulletin, undergraduate participants must comply with all policies and procedures, including but not limited to:

Student Conduct

• Eligibility: Students may not study abroad while on any type of probation (Conduct, Housing,  Academic). Additional guidelines for how Honor Council and Student Conduct cases affect study abroad eligibility may be found on the Office of Global Education’s Eligibility website. 
• Conditions of Participation: To participate in a Georgetown study abroad program, students must sign and agree to the Conditions of Participation outlined in the study abroad application. This document includes important information about expectations around behavior, preparation, external travel, health and wellness, housing, and finances. 
• External and Program-Specific Policies: Georgetown partners and groups abroad may have program-specific policies. Students are responsible for complying with these policies and codes of conduct in addition to Georgetown’s requirements.
• Conduct While Abroad: The Georgetown Code of Conduct applies to students studying abroad. Violations of the Georgetown Student Code of Conduct, Conditions of Participation, or study abroad partner policies will result in disciplinary action and will be reported to the Georgetown Office of Student Conduct. 

Housing

Students are required to live in program-provided accommodations, if provided by the program, and may not seek independent housing for a term abroad. 

Immigration and Preparation

Applicants are fully responsible for obtaining the appropriate documents and visas to participate in any Georgetown University-approved study abroad program. Any information or guidance provided by Georgetown University is solely to assist in the process and does not in any way substitute for or replace official guidelines from the relevant foreign jurisdiction.

Georgetown University offers a diverse array of graduate programs and degrees. Students are advised to consult their individual departments to learn what study abroad opportunities, if any, may apply. This may include traditional study abroad programs, as well as opportunities for non-credit experiential activities such as research, internships, conference attendance, or service abroad.

Graduate students are subject to Georgetown University’s Code of Conduct, the policies governing graduate studies, and the policies of their respective school and department. 

Students must also comply with the Georgetown International Travel Policy while participating in university-affiliated or supported international travel.