FAQs

Information on applications for Study Abroad are available on our How to Apply page or in our office in FO 111.

Your Application to Study Abroad, Intern, or Student Teach Abroad, Faculty Evaluation for Study Abroad, Letter of Recommendation, personal essay, passport photo and data page and resume are all due the semester before your first class in INS 299.

Your Student Statement of Evidence of Financial Support for Study Abroad is due June 1 if you plan to study abroad in the Fall, and November 1 if you plan to study abroad in the Spring.

Lists of all our connections and available universities can be found on our Semester/Year-Long page.

Not necessarily. Most of the universities that we have partnerships with offer classes taught in English. Students can check the language of instruction under the descriptions of each university on our Semester/Year-Long Page.

A visa is a legal document issued by the government of the host country, setting the terms and conditions for entry and length of stay for foreign nationals. You may obtain information about applying for a student visa at the embassy website of the country or countries in which you plan to study, teach, intern, work, or visit. You can locate your local embassy at the Foreign Embassy website.

Yes. Alverno College requires that you have health and medical insurance for the duration of your time abroad that includes coverage for medical evacuation or any other medical emergency. Also, many countries require you to provide proof of insurance in order to obtain a visa and sometimes at the port of entry.

Health insurance coverage is included in some programs but if it is not, the IIC will enroll you in an insurance plan and the premium cost will be added to your Alverno student tuition bill. This requirement cannot be waived and the health insurance you may use in the U.S. will not be usable abroad.

Oftentimes yes. When traveling to certain countries, particular vaccinations are required. Your health provider should be able to provide you with information regarding what vaccinations are required when leaving the country and the university abroad will provide information regarding what vaccinations are needed in order for a student to enroll.

A passport is an internationally recognized travel document that verifies the identity and nationality of the bearer. A valid passport is required to enter and leave most countries internationally. Only the U.S. Department of State has the authority to grant issue or verify U.S. Passports. Applications for passports are available on the U.S. Department of State website.

A Passport card is a travel document that can be used to enter the United States from Canada, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Bermuda at land border crossings or sea ports-of-entry. It cannot be used for international air travel whereas a Passport book is valid for international travel by air, sea or land. If you have a passport card and need a passport book, you can follow the renewal process on the U.S. Department of state website.

All of our exchange universities present students with the option to live on-campus in one of the dormitory units. Some universities greatly encourage students to apply to stay with a host family for a greater cultural immersion experience.

The IIC requires students to fill out a Course Equivalency Form when preparing to study abroad. Students can browse the host university’s course offerings as provided by the IIC. Students must set up an appointment with their academic adviser and bring a copy of their Academic Evaluation to the meeting to negotiate which course credits are equivalent. When the form is signed and completed it is recommended to make multiple copies for the student and adviser.

A Short-Term Study Abroad (STSA) course is a credit-bearing course that begins with in-class instruction throughout the semester and concludes with a 10-14 day period of travel in a particular country. Courses may be offered in the fall, spring, or summer semester. 

You must be age 18 or older to enroll in an STSA. You do not, however, have to be an enrolled Alverno Student to take the course. More information is provided on the STSA page.

Courses focus on specific aspects of a country or culture such as healthcare, religious practices, historical experiences, the arts, and many other dimensions. You experience another country or culture and its people as well as its geography, history, economics, environment, and political aspects.

Watch for posters, signs, or e-mails that announce upcoming information sessions or courses.  If you are interested in more details, contact the course faculty or stop by the International and Intercultural Center.

You pay regular tuition per credit for the STSA and the cost of the travel. Faculty work carefully to determine the lowest price possible that will pay for the travel costs (flight, train, etc.), lodging, meals, and entry fees.  Health insurance is required and included in the trip cost.

STSAs are considered part of your course work at Alverno and scholarships and financial aid may be used to pay for it. You may also apply for a Travelship, a form of financial assistance that is paid back through service hours. When you register for an STSA, an estimated course fee/trip cost is added to the next semester’s billing statement. You may work with Student Accounts to arrange a payment plan for the trip cost. By the first day of your STSA class, all students are responsible for having established a payment plan for the course.

After determining that you meet the prerequisites listed on IOL for a course, a deposit of $150 is required to be submitted to Student Accounts. Student Accounts will notify the Registrar that you are eligible to enroll in an STSA. When you are permitted to register for the course, you may simply enroll on IOL.

A travelship is financial assistance awarded to supplement a student’s own contribution for travel costs and fees. The travelship is offered by Alverno College and meant to be paid back through service to the college.

A Travelship can be used for study abroad, course required travel, independent international study, travel study within the United States, travel required internships or professional conferences or seminars.

Any Alverno student in good standing is eligible to apply, however, priority will be given to undergraduate students when considering awards.

Interested students must stop by the International and Intercultural Center, FO 111, to register to apply. An electronic application form will be sent to you. You must complete the application, Leadership Commitment form and submit two letters of recommendation from faculty members or advisers.

The Leadership Commitment is the plan you submit at the time of your application. The Commitment details the services you plan to provide to repay the funding for your Travelship. For every amount of $10 awarded, one hour of service must be completed. Your Leadership Commitment must be approved and signed by the person supervising your leadership commitment.

Since this is how you will repay the financial assistance, the committee strongly considers the creativity and innovation outlined by each student.  It is important to be very thoughtful when completing this part of the application.  If you have questions about the plan, you are encouraged to attend the information sessions or make arrangements to speak with a committee member in the IIC.

There are a series of questions on the application.  You should carefully respond to them and incorporate them in your narrative.

No. Committee members take into account financial need, the personal statement, faculty recommendations and the strength of the leadership commitment plan.

Each panel has 2-3 members of the committee which consists of faculty and staff.

For Travelships to be awarded in the Spring, the deadline is typically the first Friday in April. For Travelships to be awarded in the Fall, the deadline is typically the first Friday in November. Be sure to ask for the exact date of the deadline when you register.

You should apply at least one semester before you travel.  Be aware that if you apply in the same semester as your travel, it is possible that you may not receive your award in time. You can however, be reimbursed if you are awarded a travelship.

Awards are for no less than $50 and no more than $1000. The Travelship application includes a budget worksheet to help you determine the amount you will need.

This is determined on a case by case basis. Preference is given to first-time applicants. 

Yes.  The Travelship is not a loan. It is about giving back to the college. Students are urged to be as creative as possible in how they accomplish providing service to Alverno. It is a way to incorporate some of their abilities. Projects involving effective citizenship, developing a global perspective, communication and social interaction are great resources for designing innovative ways to contribute to Alverno.

For more information on Travelships, please view our Travelship Brochure (pdf).