Semester/Year Exchange Programs
Partnerships in more than 30 Countries
Georgia College offers semester and academic-year study programs abroad, in which you exchange places with those at partner universities and through the International Student Exchange Program (ISEP), The School for International Training (SIT), the Institute for Study Abroad through Butler University (IFSA) and International Studies Abroad (ISA). There are more than 30 countries to choose from and many locations. (Several popular ones are listed below.)
Plan Ahead
You should begin the application process at the International Education Center at least six months before you plan to begin the exchange. Please contact one of the study abroad advisers, Liz Havey liz.havey@gcsu.edu or Leah Barber leah.barber@gcsu.edu, before you make any arrangements.
Benefits
There are many benefits when you're an exchange student for a semester or academic year. The semester experience provides sufficient time to immerse yourself in the culture, and perhaps learn another language.
Considerations
Generally, students go on exchange during their junior or senior year, when they can take upper division courses in their field of study. Students going on semester or academic year programs should have a grade point average of 2.75 or higher. GPA, faculty references and personal essays are considered for acceptance. Although you may want to study in Spanish, French or German, many partnering universities offer courses in English. Students register and receive credit for Georgia College courses while on exchange.
Cost
The cost is modest. You pay tuition at Georgia College and room and board either on site or at Georgia College. In most cases, the cost of studying on exchange is the same as studying at Georgia College plus an application fee, airfare and international insurance (and minus the opportunity cost of being able to work and earn money). In some cases, however, including Australia, England, Germany and Sweden, foreign students can work legally while studying, but within certain prescribed guidelines.
Financial aid and scholarships assist many students with their study abroad plans. Contact the Financial Aid Office for information on the HOPE Scholarship, Pell grant and Stafford loans, and the International Education Center for information on the Weir/Wells study abroad scholarships and possible Regents support.
Applications
The application fee for exchanges with partner universities is $100 and the application fee for participating in ISEP exchanges is $545. For all non-GCSU programs students must register as transient students at Georgia College, take INST 2985: Study Abroad Seminar (1 credit hour) and pay a processing fee of $100.
Assistance
The International Education Center can help you research options and find the right program. Furthermore, the International Education Center can assist with pre-departure preparations and provide an orientation, which includes program itinerary, packing guidelines, course content, cross-cultural communication skills and other important information. Our staff help coordinate the overseas experience and serve as a point of contact while you are away. The partner university's exchange coordinator provides in-country orientation, helps with registration and housing and generally assists with the transition.
Deadlines
Unless otherwise arranged, the deadline for Fall semester exchanges is February 1, and the deadline for Spring semester exchanges is September 1.
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Australian Catholic University (Sydney, Australia): This exchange began in 1998 with the School of Health Sciences, but excellent possibilities exist at the Sydney campuses for students from all four GCSU schools. Instruction is in English. Students can arrange exchange for a year or semester. Housing can be arranged in a shared apartment or with a host family. Semester one begins the last full week in February and finishes the last full week in June; semester two begins the first week in August and ends the third week in November. More Information
Bond University (Gold Coast, Australia): The exchange began in 2005. The only private university in Australia offers programs in most disciplines studied at GCSU. Instruction is in English. Students can arrange exchange for a year or semester. Bond will assist with accommodations. Semester one begins the last full week in February and finishes the last full week in June; semester two begins the first week in August and ends the third week in November. More Information
Palacky University (Olomouc, Czech Republic): The exchange with this medieval university in the center of the beautiful historic town of Olomouc began in 2003 as part of a four-way partnership that also includes the University of Hradec Kralov (Czech Republic) and Valdosta State University (Georgia). Students can enroll for a semester in English-language courses in Central European Studies. The Palacky International Office will assist with accommodations. More Information
University of Hradec Kralove (Hradec Kralove, Czech Republic): The partnership with GCSU began in 2000 and is shared with both Palack University and Valdosta State University. Students can enroll for a semester in special courses in education, music and physical education. Hradec Kralov will assist with accommodations. More Information
DeMontfort University (Leicester, England): This relationship began in 1990 when DeMontfort was known as Leicester Polytechnic Institute. The university has many campuses in central England, but exchange students and faculty study at the central campus, which is within easy walking distance of the city of Leicester. Good study possibilities exist in Business, English, history and the humanities. Instruction is in English. Students can arrange exchange for a year or semester. A wide range of accommodations are available and all international students are guaranteed University-managed accommodation in university residences or private houses. International student orientation begins in mid-September. The fall term lasts from late September to mid-December, and the spring term from early January to mid-April. More Information
University of Northumbria (Newcastle, England): This University System of Georgia exchange began in the mid-1990's, and GCSU signed a Consortium Agreement in 1998. Newcastle is a vibrant, youthful city full of museums, galleries, restaurants and cafes in northeast England. There are possibilities for a semester or year of study in many disciplines. Instruction is in English. A wide range of accommodation is available and the university will assist with arrangements. The fall semester lasts from mid-September through January, and the spring semester from early February through mid-June. More Information
The American Business School in Paris (Paris, France):
The partnership with the American Business School in Paris is one of the newest for Georgia College. Students take international business courses taught entirely in English. Most courses offered focus on international business, international marketing and international finance, but there are some humanities and foreign language course options as well. ABS will assist students in finding accommodations. Students may enroll for the semester or the entire academic year. More Information
Universite Charles-de-Gaulle Lille 3 (Lille, France):
The exchange with Universite Charles-de-Gaulle Lille 3 began only recently as Georgia College plans to send more students to study humanities disciplines in France. Students may take courses in French or English. The university also offers several French language courses for non-native speakers. There is some university housing available and the International Services division at Lille 3 will assist students in finding accommodations. Students may enroll for the semester or the entire academic year. More Information
Otto-von-Guericke-Universität Magdeburg (Magdeburg, Germany): This exchange began in 1996 and offers courses in English for business or American studies students and courses in German for all other disciplines. Students can go on semester or academic-year exchange or attend a 3-week summer program in intensive German. Students can arrange exchange for a year or semester. The Magdeburg International Office will assist with housing arrangements in university residences. The fall semester lasts from late September through early January, and the spring semester from February through June. More Information
Zeppelin University (Friedrichshafen, Germany): This exchange began in 2004 and offers courses in English for Business or Public Administration students. Students can go on semester or academic-year exchange. The Zeppelin International Office will assist with housing arrangements. The fall semester lasts from late September through early January, and the spring semester from February through June. More Information
University of Pecs (Pecs, Hungary): The exchange with this medieval university in the center of the beautiful historic town of Pecs began in 1998 with the School of Business. Students can enroll for a semester or year in the English-language business program. The Pecs International Office will assist with accommodations. The first semester begins in early September with exams given in January; the second begins in early February with exams in June. More Information
Eszterhazy Karoly College (Eger, Hungary): The exchange at Eger began in 2005. This 250-year old university offer a program of study in Central Europe issues in English. Students can enroll for a semester or year. The university will assist with accommodations. The first semester begins in early September with exams given in January; the second begins in early February with exams in June. More Information
Kansai Gaidai University (Hirakata and Kyoto, Japan): This exchange began in 2003 and offers courses in English that focus on Japan studies, e.g., business, humanities, social sciences, studio arts, etc., and Japanese language. Students can participate in semester or academic-year exchange. The Kansai Gaidai International Office will assist with housing arrangements in home stays or dormitories. More Information
Oberlin University (Machida and Tokyo, Japan): This exchange began in 2003 and offers courses in English that focus on Japan studies, e.g., art, culture, history, literature, management, and politics, as well as Japanese language. Students can go on semester or academic-year exchange by enrolling in fall semester (mid-September). The Oberlin International Office will assist with housing arrangements in home stays or dormitories. More Information
Ritsumeikan University (Kyoto and Tokyo, Japan): This exchange began in 2005 and offers courses in English that focus on Japan studies, e.g., art, culture, history, literature, and politics, as well as Japanese language. Students can go on semester or academic-year exchange. Fall semester begins in mid-September and ends in late January. Spring semester begins in mid-April and ends in late July. More Information
Pukyong National University (Busan, Korea): This exchange began in 2006 and offers courses in English that focus on Korea studies, for example: business, humanities, social sciences, studio art, and more, students may also study Korean language. Students can participate in semester or academic-year exchange. The Pukyong National University International Office will assist with housing arrangements in home stays or dormitories. More Information
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Universidad Iberoamericana Puebla (Puebla, Mexico): This exchange began in 2006 with excellent possibilities for students from all four GCSU schools. Instruction is in Spanish. Students can arrange exchange for a year or semester. Housing can be arranged in a residence hall or with a host family. The academic calendar runs from January to November with semester one beginning the second week of January and finishing in mid-May. Semester two begins the second week of August and finishes the last week of November. More Information
Universidad Popular Autonoma del Estado de Puebla (Puebla, Mexico): This exchange began in 2006 with excellent possibilities for students from all four GCSU schools. Instruction is in Spanish. Students may study on exchange for a semester or the academic year. Accomodations can be arranged in residence halls or with a host family. The academic calendar runs from January to November with semester one beginning the second week of January and finishing mid-May. Semester two begins the second week of August and finishes at the end of November. More Information
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Universidad de Lima (Lima, Peru): The Lima exchange began in 2006 and offers courses taught in Spanish in many disciplines for students who want to go on exchange for a semester or the academic year. The private university is in beautiful Lima on the coast of Peru. The Universidad de Lima International Office will assist with housing arrangements in residence halls, apartments or with host families. More Information
Babes-Bolyai University (Cluj-Napoca, Romania): One of Georgia College's newest partners, Universitea Babes-Bolyai is a dynamic university with roots dating back to 1581. It is Romania's oldest and largest, named after two prominent Transylvanian scientists – the Romanian biologist Victor Babes and the Hungarian mathematician Jnos Bolyai. Located in Transylvania, a European province with a complex history, Universitatea Babes-Bolyai is the crowning achievement of a long series of attempts to establish a higher education institution in Romania. Courses are taught in Romanian, Hungarian, German and English, Romanian being a Romance language related to French, Italian and Spanish. More information
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Universitat de Valencia (Valencia, Spain): The Valencia exchange began in 1997 with this university in the center of a beautiful ancient city on the Mediterranean coast of Spain. Courses taught in Spanish are available in virtually all disciplines for students who want to go on exchange for a semester or the academic year. A one-month intensive Spanish course is available in September prior to the start of the academic year. The International Office will assist with housing arrangements in residence halls, apartments or with host families. The fall semester lasts from late September through early January, and the spring semester from February through June. More Information
Universidad de Valladolid (Valladolid, Spain): The Valladolid exchange began in 1991 and offers courses taught in Spanish in all disciplines for students who want to go on exchange for a semester or the academic year. The university is in the center of Valladolid, a beautiful medieval city in the north of Spain. A one-month intensive Spanish course is available in September prior to the start of the academic year. The International Office will assist with housing arrangements in residence halls, apartments or with host families. The fall semester lasts from late September through early January, and the spring semester from February through June.
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Södertörns högskola (Södertörn University College) (Stockholm, Sweden): This exchange offers possibilities for students to study in English. Södertörns is a new university college with a multidisciplinary and multicultural ethos, and a wide range of academic programs and courses are offered in the Humanities, Social Sciences, Technology, Education and Life Sciences. The emphasis Södertörns högskola places on liberal education, multiculturalism and multidisciplinary education and research reflects its youth and its location in a multicultural suburb, in a dynamic growth area. The semesters are approximately parallel to those at Georgia College.
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Linnaeus University (Växjö and Kalmar, Sweden): This exchange offers possibilities for students to study in English. Växjö is a small, friendly city in central Sweden and the young university offers a wide variety of courses that fit Georgia College's liberal arts mission. Course work offered in English language in the humanities, social sciences, business and technology. The semesters are approximately parallel to those at Georgia College. More Information
