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The Center for Global Education at George Mason University serves as the premier clearing house for global exchanges and international education. The Center for Global Education offers a full range of professional services, including short-term, semester/year long, honors study abroad, internationally themed internships and intensive language programs.
Here are some answers to commonly asked questions.
- What is the Center for Global Education?
- When should I study abroad?
- Who is eligible to study abroad?
- Where can I study abroad?
- How long can I stay overseas?
- What do I need to do to study abroad?
- When should I start?
- How do I find study abroad programs?
- After I have chosen a program, how do I apply?
- How much do study abroad programs cost?
- Can I apply my financial aid?
- Does Mason offer study abroad scholarships?
- What does the study abroad administrative fee cover?
- Will my credits transfer?
- Will my grades transfer?
- What type of classes can I take abroad?
- How do I register for my semester when I’ve completed studying abroad and return to Mason? Do I register myself for my courses abroad?
- How do I reserve on-campus housing for my return to Mason?
- What is the refund policy of the Center for Global Education?
- What should I consider when choosing a study abroad program?
- Do I need health insurance to study abroad?
- Where can I find out about travel insurance?
- Can I study abroad if I am under medical or psychiatric care?
- Can I drive while overseas?
- What if I disagree with the grade I receive from a Faculty Director on a Mason (resident credit) program?
- Do I need a specified validity period on my passport to travel to certain countries?
1. WHAT IS THE CENTER FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION?
The Center for Global Education at George Mason University provides a wide array of study abroad opportunities for both Mason students and the general public and functions as the hub for international educational activities at Mason. CGE offers short-term, semester/year long, honors study abroad, international internships and intensive language programs. CGE hosts international visitors to the university and is the depository of all Memoranda of Understanding concerning educational exchanges signed between Mason and institutions abroad.
2. WHEN SHOULD I STUDY ABROAD?
Most students study abroad during their junior year because by this time they have the majority of their general education requirements out of the way and have a handle on their academic degree program. However, it is possible to go during the second semester of sophomore year and the first semester of senior year. This mostly depends on your academic program requirements and schedule.
Until you are eligible for a semester/year long program, you can participate on Mason short-term study tours and earn academic credits during the winter, spring and summer breaks! These study tours are open to freshmen, sophomores, juniors, seniors and graduate students. It’s a great way to earn 1 to 12 resident credits quickly while seeing the world!
3. WHO IS ELIGIBLE TO STUDY ABROAD?
You must be at least a second semester sophomore to participate on a semester/year long program and it is preferable not to study abroad during the last semester before graduation if you are concerned about graduating on time. You can participate in Mason short-term study tours as a freshman, sophomore, junior, senior or graduate student. GPA requirements are as follow:
- 2.25 or above cumulative GPA for most Mason short-term study tours
- 2.50 or above cumulative GPA for direct exchanges, semesters & internship programs
- 3.50 for undergraduates and 3.80 for graduate students or above cumulative GPA for Oxford Honors program.
The world is within your reach! Mason offers a wide array of study abroad programs worldwide, both short-term and semester/year long. You should first attend a “Study Abroad 101” information session at the Center for Global Education to find out about your options.
5. HOW LONG CAN I STAY OVERSEAS?
You can go for as long as an academic year and for as short as one week depending on your sense of adventure and budget! Most Mason students participate in a semester long program and many complement this with short-term study tours offering up to 12 resident credits.
6. WHAT DO I NEED TO DO TO STUDY ABROAD?
There are three time-consuming steps to planning to study abroad:
- Researching programs
- Applying to programs
- Pre-departure and re-entry requirements
The earlier the better! You should definitely start researching two semesters before you plan to go, and you must have picked a program well before the specific application deadlines. In other words, if you plan to go for the fall semester, you should start researching programs the previous fall. If you are interested in our short-term study tours, pick up the flier and application form at least a month before the application deadline and submit your material BEFORE the application deadline to secure your spot.
8. HOW DO I FIND STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS?
You should first attend a Center for Global Education Study Abroad 101 information session to get an overview of Mason and non-Mason study abroad options and application procedures. Sessions are offered at our Center a couple times a week at various times. If you are considering non-Mason semester/year long programs, you can use our Center for Global Education Resource Library and look through the informational binders and study abroad resource guides, in particular the Peterson’s Guide for Study Abroad and the Academic Year Abroad. Another option is to visit StudyAbroad.com, which is the largest database of study abroad programs offered through US institutions.
9. AFTER I HAVE CHOSEN A PROGRAM, HOW DO I APPLY?
If you are applying for a Mason program, you will need to make an appointment with a Program Officer responsible for the program to go over the application procedures and get the necessary forms.
If you are applying for a non-Mason program, you will need to apply to that institution directly and once you are accepted, make an appointment with a Program Officer to go over non-Mason study abroad paperwork, including the transfer of credits form. Keep in mind that there is an administrative fee payable to Mason whether you apply to a Mason or non-Mason program. That fee is $300 for a semester/year program and $75 for short term programs.
10. HOW MUCH DO STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS COST?
As a Mason student, you can study abroad on one of our direct exchange programs and pay your regular Mason tuition plus room and board to the host university and your International airfare. This is an excellent deal as far as semester and year long study abroad programs go and the price will be much lower than any other non-Mason program! Direct exchange locations include Australia, Chile, England, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Malta, Netherlands, Sweden, Spain and South Africa. We also offer four special semester programs in Seville, Spain; Cork, Ireland; Florence, Italy; and Paris, France, which are reasonably priced and complement our selection of direct exchange programs.
Mason short-term study tours run on average between $1050 and $5000 including tuition, housing, meals, excursions, in-country transportation and airfare. Costs vary depending on the length and nature of the study tour.
If you participate on a non-Mason program, the average cost for a semester runs between $8000-$10,000 and usually includes tuition, housing, airfare and some meals. Costs vary depending on the sponsoring institutions, what is included, and length of program.
11. CAN I APPLY MY FINANCIAL AID?
Yes. Most financial aid can be applied to programs sponsored by U.S. accredited institutions including Mason’s programs. Make sure you speak with a Financial Aid counselor early in the application process to give yourself enough time for the aid to be processed. See our Money page for other hints.
12. DOES MASON OFFER STUDY ABROAD SCHOLARSHIPS?
There are limited scholarships through Mason for study abroad. However, there are many outside sources for study abroad scholarships which we encourage you to research in our Resource Library. The key is to start looking early!
13. WHAT DOES THE STUDY ABROAD ADMIN FEE COVER?
George Mason University requires the Center for Global Education to charge an administrative fee for its services. The Center for Global Education charges $75 for summer programs and $300 for both semester/year long study abroad programs which enables the self-supporting Center to run its operation and provide quality study abroad opportunities. The admin fee covers the costs of time and labor associated with administering study abroad programs across the board (i.e., study abroad mailings, advising, publications, marketing, staffing, study abroad special registration, transfer of study abroad credits, foreign transcript evaluation, coordination with numerous Mason units, orientations, program development and many other related administrative costs).
Yes, but within the following guidelines:
- Courses MUST be pre-approved by your department and dean (get the form from Center for Global Education)
- Courses must be for graded credit
- You must receive a “C” or higher to earn credit
- You must be enrolled as a full-time students when studying abroad during a semester
- You must study abroad at an accredited institution
Yes and no. Grades only transfer if you are going on a Center for Global Education program with a Faculty Director who acts as an "Instructor of Record". The short term summer, spring break and winter programs provide this kind of resident credit. This includes the Oxford Honors program.
In the case of Direct Exchange, Semester or non-Mason programs — no. Grades will show up on your host university transcript but will not be averaged into your Mason GPA. You will receive credit hours towards your graduation and you still need to receive a “C” or higher for the credits to transfer. This is referred to as transfer credit.
16. WHAT TYPE OF CLASSES CAN I TAKE ABROAD?
Major Courses: courses equivalent to Mason courses or electives in your major for courses that we have no equivalent (approved by your major advisor).
Electives: courses that do not fit into your major but are relevant to your degree audit. Electives must be approved by your major advisor.
General education courses: these courses must have close equivalency to Mason courses. Most students do not take general education courses abroad because they should be in upper level classes by this point and taking advantage of courses not available at Mason.
17. HOW DO I REGISTER FOR MY SEMESTER WHEN I’VE COMPLETED STUDY ABROAD AND RETURN TO MASON?
While you are overseas on your study abroad program, it is your responsibility to check the Mason web for the upcoming schedule of classes and register for your next semester back by either using patriotweb from overseas or having a friend or family member register you from the U.S.. Center for Global Education will register you for classes, however if you do not have access to the Internet while overseas, we will gladly mail you the schedule of classes when it becomes available.
Also, the Center for Global Education will get you registered for your semester(s) abroad. Do not sign up for classes during the period you are going to be studying overseas, as this will create confusion with the Office of the Registrar.
18. HOW DO I RESERVE ON-CAMPUS HOUSING FOR MY RETURN TO MASON?
Again, it is YOUR responsibility to contact the Mason on-campus housing office before you study abroad to inform them you will be out of the country for a semester or two. They might have some forms you will need to fill out to reserve your space upon your return. Refer to their website: http://housing.Mason.edu
19. WHAT IS THE REFUND POLICY OF THE CENTER FOR GLOBAL EDUCATION?
If you are participating in a program sponsored by the Center for Global Education at George Mason University, the following refund policy applies:
The application fee is non-refundable, except when the program is canceled by the Center for Global Education. If you decide to withdraw from a program 30 days or more before the program start date, you will be refunded the program fee minus the $1000 deposit. If you withdraw within 30 days of the start date of your program, no portion of the program fee will be refunded. Refunds will only be considered in cases of extreme emergencies requiring you to remain in the United States. Refunds will be made available only on recoverable costs, less the deposit.
If you are participating in a program sponsored by George Mason University, you must contact your sponsoring institution about their policy.
20. WHAT SHOULD I CONSIDER WHEN CHOOSING A STUDY ABROAD PROGRAM?
You should consider the following in thinking about choosing a study abroad program:
- Sponsoring institutions: Do I want to go through a U.S. university program or do I want to apply directly to a foreign university?
- Instruction type: Taught in a foreign language or in English? With primarily U.S. students? With foreign students? By U.S. professors? Host country professors?
- Language: Full immersion? Some foreign language? Mostly in English?
- Type of program: Study program? Internship?
- Housing: Home stay? Residence Halls? Apartments?
- Independence: How much does the sponsoring institution provide? Do they arrange everything? Is there a contact here? How much am I going to be on my own?
- Cost: What can I afford? What services do I want them to provide?
- Credits: If going on a non-Mason program, your host university needs to mail the Center for Global Education your transcript if you want your credits to transfer. Make sure you provide them with the name of your Program Officer and the mailing address. Remember that you must have a “C” and above in order for your credits to transfer back.
21. DO I NEED HEALTH INSURANCE TO STUDY ABROAD?
Yes, students must be fully covered with comprehensive health insurance in order to study abroad. Students are responsible for checking with their health insurance provider to see if their coverage is adequate for overseas travel. If not, students are responsible for getting travel insurance valid for the duration of their study abroad program.
22. WHERE CAN I FIND OUT ABOUT TRAVEL INSURANCE?
For a list of current travel insurance companies, visit our Travel Links and look under the section called Travel insurance vendors.
23. CAN I STUDY ABROAD IF I AM UNDER MEDICAL OR PSYCHIATRIC CARE?
The Center for Global Education does not discriminate against students who are currently under medical or psychiatric care. Students under medical or psychiatric care are requested to disclose their medical condition on the online application and provide their Program Officer with a Student Medical Evaluation completed by their physician or mental health care provider. This information will remain confidential with and is used as a precautionary measure to ensure the students and group's safety.
24. CAN I DRIVE WHILE OVERSEAS?
Due to the major liability this entails, we ask that participants on all programs refrain from driving any motorized vehicle while abroad. There is a form called the Motorized Vehicle Agreement, which must be signed by all participants before each program begins. Go to the online forms page to download the Motorized Vehicle Agreement.
25. WHAT IF I DISAGREE WITH THE GRADE I RECEIVE FROM A FACULTY DIRECTOR ON A MASON (resident credit) PROGRAM?
The Center for Global Education does not get involved with grades posted by Faculty Directors on its programs. To appeal a grade for a study abroad program with a Mason faculty, follow the procedures from the Mason Academic Policies website.
26. DO I NEED A SPECIFIED VALIDITY ON MY PASSPORT TO TRAVEL TO CERTAIN COUNTRIES?
You should make sure you have a passport with a minimum validity of 6 months to be on the safe side while traveling on our programs. Some countries will not issue visas or stamp passports if they expire before 6 months.
last updated: 10/5/07
