Frequently Asked Questions

Q: Won't Study Abroad make me fall behind in my course work so I may not graduate on time?

A: Study Abroad programs offer credit for the class work you do in a foreign country. Most courses offered will fit degree programs at many University System of Georgia colleges and universities, and many courses are designed to meet core education requirements as well. Your advisor or the Study Abroad coordinator can help you find classes that will fit your major.

Q: How can I Study Abroad with ABAC? Don't I have to be classified as a junior?

A: Programs are available to any student in good standing, and courses are available that meet a wide variety of major and core requirements from the freshman level through the graduate level. Planning early is the key to study abroad opportunities.

Q: Isn't Study Abroad too expensive? How can I afford the cost?

A: The cost of the programs includes most travel costs, accommodations, many of the meals, and some of the local transportation costs. If you calculate what you will save by not doing those things at your home campus (no gas money, car maintenance, etc.) and tack that on to favorable exchange rates (depending on where you travel) the cost of living with a summer or semester studying abroad can be about the same as what you would spend in a summer at home. In addition, financial aid is available for study abroad costs. Ask the Study Abroad coordinator for more information about how to plan financial aid for your study abroad program.

Q: Don't I have to speak a foreign language to be able to study in a foreign country?

A: The programs offer instruction in English, with English-speaking faculty from colleges and universities in Georgia. Even if you take a foreign language class as part of your study abroad experience, the program will often accept students with basic or intermediate knowledge of the foreign language.

Q: What if I can't find a course that fits with my major?

A: Contact the Study Abroad coordinator. He will help you to find a program that does fit your major. There are over 300 study abroad and exchange programs with courses ranging from nursing to education, computer science to graphic design, and theatre to wildlife management, and everything in between! The Study Abroad coordinator is willing to work with you to help you find a course that will fit your major.

Q: What GPA do you need to participate in the Study Abroad program?

A: Most programs only require that you be a student in good standing at ABAC. You will also have to have completed any prerequisites for the program you select, just as you would here on the main campus.

Q: In light of world events, is Study Abroad safe?

A: Each student's personal safety is of utmost importance to the University System of Georgia study abroad program directors. Study abroad program staff make every effort to ensure the safety and well-being of each study abroad participant. Students report that they often feel safer overseas than they sometimes do at home.

Q: When, where, and how much are the extra excursions available with the programs?

A: In order to reduce overall program costs, extra excursions (such as weekend trips to locations other than the program location) are no longer pre-planned. Instead, students are often encouraged to arrange their own excursions with faculty and site director assistance. In addition, some additional (though non-required) fieldtrips may be planned that can include some small additional costs (such as museum entrance fees, limited additional travel costs, etc.) For planning purposes, here is some information from previous weekend excursions taken to locations from the London program:

Paris weekend $325.00
Scotland weekend $202.00
Wales weekend $195.00

Students are allowed to travel on their own every weekend (Friday-Sunday), and any arranged excursions are optional.

Q: Should I bring my laptop computer from home?

A: You can, but check with your course instructors to determine the need for a computer. Remember that many countries use different electrical current supplies than in the US, so bring appropriate electrical adapters for both the outlets (they're shaped different from ours, and our plugs won't fit) and the voltage (some countries use 220v instead of 110v). Basically, the host locations have internet access and limited computers available for your use. A laptop is not a necessity (besides, it can be a real hassle getting it through airports and toting it around in your luggage). If you bring a laptop, you will also need to bring all the appropriate connectors for the internet connections.

Q: How much money should I plan on bringing for additional expenses?

A: This will vary depending on the individual. Some money should be planned for souvenirs, extra travel (though most school related travel is already covered), additional food and meals (some are provided, but many are not), sightseeing other than course related excursions in and around the host city, and incidentals (laundry, snacks, etc.). Generally, this amount can range from about $850-$2000 over and above the program cost depending on host country exchange rates. Of course, this can vary depending on the individual student's plans. Plan on using debit/credit cards or (in some countries) traveler's checks instead of cash.