Immaculata Study Abroad FAQ

Let us answer some of the most frequently asked questions regarding study abroad for Immaculata students beginning with how to get started through support available overseas. If you need more information or have additional questions, please contact a Brittanie Covatta for more information.

Sophomores, juniors and seniors in good academic and disciplinary standing are eligible to study abroad. A minimum GPA of 2.3 is usually required to study abroad, but each program has different GPA requirements. Students must have completed a minimum 12 credits in the semester prior to studying abroad and be free of any holds on their account prior to departure. Students from any major are eligible to study abroad.

Yes, with advanced planning and appropriate expectations. Academic advisors and Immaculata’s Study Abroad Coordinator will help you identify a program and select coursework that fits your educational goals and enables you to stay on track.

A great place to start is by doing some research on the various programs available to you. Then, book an appointment with Immaculata’s Study Abroad Coordinator to discuss your options and how to begin your application.

Your passport must be valid for at least 6 months past the program end date. US citizens can find information on how to apply for a passport here. Keep in mind that it may take 6-8 weeks to receive your passport, so don’t delay! If you are not a US citizen, you should contact your consulate if you need to renew your passport.

Students may choose to study abroad during the fall or spring semesters, or they may choose a shorter-term summer program. When you choose to study abroad will likely be based on your personal interests and academic goals. Be sure to talk with your academic advisor as early as possible to integrate studying abroad into your academic plan.

As long as you are eligible (based on your GPA and other requirements) and have followed the study away policies and procedures, you can study abroad on pre-approved programs, which can be found here.

Yes. There are many programs that include an internship or research opportunity over the semester and summer. Ask your study away advisor for more information if you are interested in one of these options.

Students who study on pre-approved programs will receive course credit. By working with your advisor and the Study Abroad Coordinator, you can work to make sure your courses abroad will count towards your degree. 

The final step is to consult with your Academic adviser about your selections and overall academic plan.  

Once you have met with the Study Abroad Coordinator, and they have approved you to take the next steps in the process, you can begin the application for your program choice through the Arcadia Application student portal. There are three steps to this application:

Note: If you have already studied abroad with Arcadia, you can simply log back in or hit “forgot password” to get back into your account. You will be able to start a new application in the Arcadia Portal without going through Step 2 again.

As you work on the application, you can also use these helpful Application FAQs offered by Arcadia Abroad.

Admissions decisions are made on a rolling basis and most are made within about two weeks of completing the “admissions forms” in the Arcadia Portal. However, each program is different so it is best to be in touch with your study abroad coordinator about this.

Once you are accepted to a program, you will need to formally commit to the program to secure your space. To do this, you must submit:

Once you are accepted and committed to the program, your program advisor will help you prepare for the next few steps. 

A visa is a travel document issued by a foreign government, which gives you permission to legally enter the country. Visa application processes and regulations vary by country, and not all programs will require that students get a visa. Once you are accepted into a specific program, your program advisor will guide you through the process of getting a visa if one is required.

Arcadia will host a mandatory Pre-Departure Orientation. This usually occurs shortly before the semester and is designed to ensure you are prepared for the adventure that awaits you. Please be in touch with your study away advisor if you do not know when or where the PDO is taking place.

For an  Immaculata student, spending a semester or summer studying abroad through any of Arcadia University’s approved programs around the world, the cost of tuition and housing can be found on each program page. Additionally, some programs require a meal plan. Please be sure to speak with the Study Abroad Coordinator to learn more. 

All program fees include a spectrum of pre-departure and in-country services. An orientation before you leave as well as one when you arrive overseas to help provide you with the information you need to learn and explore your new location. Arcadia’s in-country staff also provide a safety and support infrastructure. Services included in program fees are the following:

Travel, books, visas and other costs vary by program and country. To help families plan, you can find an “estimate of additional expenses” by clicking on the program page, scrolling down to the “fees and scholarship details” section and click on “more info.”

Immaculata scholarships and financial aid do not apply, however, there are scholarship opportunities available. Please be sure to speak with the Study Abroad Coordinator and your financial aid counselor to learn more.

You should be sure to review the refund and withdrawal policies for any program before depositing. If you are considering withdrawing, please be in touch with your study abroad program advisor and the Immaculata study abroad coordinator.

First, you can find a wealth of information about staying healthy overseas, insurance and more here.

In addition, you should discuss your study abroad plans with your doctor, physician, psychologist and/or psychiatrist as early as possible to discuss how you will manage any current conditions overseas and how you will bring any current prescriptions overseas.

And finally, you should be sure to disclose any current conditions, academic accommodation, disability accommodation, etc to your program advisor so that he or she can best support you.

Arcadia Abroad enrolls all students on their programs (except New Zealand) in International SOS.

Students studying in New Zealand are instead enrolled in Student Safe Insurance due to federal standards. Student Safe does not cover pre-existing conditions, but students who have such conditions can get additional insurance through International SOS. Talk to your program advisor if you have any questions. 

Arcadia programs have plenty of in-country staff who can help you with any issues you have, from financial to housing to getting over culture shock. They should be your first stop for any issue that you have while abroad.

Arcadia Abroad also has a 24/7 emergency support team here in the U.S. for emergencies.

Yes. Immaculata University encourages students with disabilities to consider study abroad. We are committed to working with you to find a program that suits your individual needs and provide reasonable accommodations. Please be sure to meet with Learning Support Services at Immaculata to ensure they have all of your disability documentation.

Studying abroad offers the opportunity to explore your identity and your place in the world. Racial and ethnic relations vary by culture, meaning that while you’re abroad you may be part of an ethnic majority for the first time in your life. Also, you could be presented with an amazing opportunity to connect with and learn about your ancestral history and culture first-hand. On the other hand, students of different ethnic and racial backgrounds may have a challenging transition from life in your community to life as a student in a different culture. People may categorize and interpret your race, ethnicity and other identity attributes quite differently than what you are used to. There is the possibility that you may encounter microaggressions or overt discrimination.

You may find that confronting and coping with your adjustment abroad can be a positive growth experience, even if challenging at times. You can prepare yourself for the situations you may encounter by researching the minority and majority racial/ethnic composition of your host country and exploring its history of racial and ethnic relations.

No two students studying abroad ever have quite the same experience, even in the same program and country. This same variety is true for students of color and those from U.S. minority ethnic or racial backgrounds. It is wise to know what you are getting into and prepare yourself. Those experiences range from exhilarated by being free of the context of U.S. race relations to those who are met with both familiar and new types of ostracism and prejudice.

No matter what, you have people who can support you.

This is very dependent on your host city. In some cases, you can find stores that sell hair and skin care products that you use now. You can search for products and shops online or ask a study abroad advisor for help in doing so. However, if your hair and skin care products are not available in your host city, it may be a good idea to simply pack enough for the summer/semester and bring it with you. As for food, in-country staff can assist you with finding appropriate grocery stores, markets, and restaurants that represent a variety of cuisines and tastes.

Arcadia overseas staff will be a great resource for you overseas. While they already plan excursions to neighborhoods in your host city, if you would like to visit additional locations, just let them know and they can assist you.

Yes. Students are covered by their international health insurance while studying abroad and can see a therapist or counselor in person or virtually. However, in some locations, this may only be available virtually. It is best to plan early around your mental health so we recommend reaching out to our Health & Safety Team to take the first steps to scheduling appointments before you depart the U.S. You can contact our Health & Safety Team directly here or connect with your program advisor to put you in touch.

When you study abroad with Arcadia, you are provided with a wealth of resources and staff ready to assist you with any questions you may have! The best place to start is with your Study Abroad adviser, however, you can find additional resources below:

Start by preparing the necessary information you will need to share with our family. For example, highlighting your program choice and how it connects with your academic interests is a great way to showcase how study abroad is an integral part of an Arcadia education. Other areas to stress are the use of financial aid and scholarships for study abroad, the support you will receive during the application process and while abroad, and how study abroad will assist in graduating in a timely manner through the credit you will earn.

Additionally, Arcadia Abroad has a section specifically for parents on their website which includes a parents guide as well as a budgeting and finance guide.

Cultures vary in terms of how sexual and gender identities are defined and understood. You will find that attitudes and tolerance toward gay, lesbian, bisexual, and trans issues vary from country to country, and possibly even within each country, as they do here in the U.S. Some countries are more welcoming and legally protective than the U.S., while others are less accepting and more restrictive. Being knowledgeable about sexual identity and gender expression in the area where you will be studying will allow you to have a rewarding international experience.

Arcadia programs have plenty of in-country staff who can help you with any issues you have – from financial to housing to getting over culture shock. They are also a resource if you have any questions or concerns regarding your identity or experiences with discrimination. They should be your first stop for any issue that you have while abroad.

Arcadia Abroad also has a 24/7 emergency support team here in the U.S. and you will also be provided with other emergency contacts such as U.S. consulate information during orientation.

Yes. Students are covered by their international health insurance while studying abroad and can see a therapist or counselor in person or virtually. However, in some locations, this may only be available virtually. It is best to plan early around your mental health so we recommend reaching out to our Health & Safety Team to take the first steps to scheduling appointments before you depart the US. You can contact our Health & Safety Team directly here or connect with your program advisor to put you in touch.