Your student wants to study abroad, and now he/she faces the challenge of selecting the right program that will provide the best possible cultural and educational experience.

Questions your student should ask:

Types of Programs

  • Academic Year: The student spends both the fall & spring semester on the same program.
  • Semester: Fall or spring Semester
  • Spring Break: Usually a one week faculty-led program
  • Summer: These programs can be short-term faculty-led programs or full summer programs ranging from 1-8 weeks.

The decision of when to study abroad may be influenced by required courses that must be taken during certain semesters at Catholic University.

The Curriculum
Your student must decide what program provides the type of curriculum he or she would like to study. Some programs are foreign language-based, while others give choices of different majors. While most students tend to choose a program that is in alignment with the rest of their college studies, your student may want to take electives or classes that count toward other distribution requirements.

The Language
Language skills are another element to take into consideration. If your student is already fluent in the language of the country in which he or she will study, that student will have no problem taking classes that are taught in that language. Students with less proficiency in the foreign language also have options. These include programs that facilitate the enhancement of foreign language skills by incorporating them into the curriculum; or schools made for American students taught mostly in English.

Accommodation
Another factor to consider housing. All affiliated programs include housing. Additional fees may be assessed by the program provider if a student chooses to live in the non-standard option. Please note that not all of the options below are provided on each program. Please consult the webpage for each program to learn about available housing options

Host Families- Students live in the home of a local family. Some meals are usually provided by the family. This experience can be beneficial because it allows the student to have first-hand contact with local residents and practice speaking a foreign language, if applicable. Students also learn about local traditions and customs.

Dormitories- Students may have the option to live in a dorm with local students and other international students. This experience may allow students to get to know other people their age from the city in which they are living.

Apartments- Students live independently and cook their own meals. The apartments may be shared with other American and international students.

Faculty-Led These programs are usually short-term (1-6 weeks) during spring break or the summer and are led by a CUA faculty member who organizes the trip and teaches a course related to the destination.
CUA Administered The CUA Rome Program is fully administered by CUA and provides students the opportunity to live and study in Rome while taking CUA courses.
CUA-Affiliated These programs are administered by by private companies and other universities that maintain study centers in the destination cities. Students have the option of taking their courses at the study center and/or directly enroll in local universities. These programs tend to have a Program Director and support staff on the ground, a tailored curriculum, excursions, and occasionally internships and service learning opportunities provided by the program.
Direct Enrollment & Exchange Students directly enroll in a foreign university and take a full course load. On-site support is provided by the foreign university's international office.
Internships These semester and summer programs allow students to participate in a for-credit internship while taking additional classes.