RESOURCES

Health Information and Insurance
Participants should bring medications they regularly depend upon and should have copies of prescriptions in generic form in case they need to acquire additional medications. Participants are provided with health-care from CISI insurance (Cultural Insurance Services International) that covers them while they are abroad. Students with special medical problems may be required to provide a physician’s assurance of their ability to undertake international travel and study. It is not possible for USG Goes Global to guarantee accessible facilities abroad for students with special needs but we are more than happy to look into this for interested students. More information about the USG Study Abroad Insurance can be found on the USG International Education office site.

Passports
All USG Goes Global destinations require that travelers have a valid passport. Interested participants with expired passports should have them renewed. Participants who have never had a passport should begin the process of obtaining one as soon as possible as it can take more than 3 months to get a passport and sometimes require an appointment made well in advance. You may inquire at your local post office for instructions on obtaining a passport. Additionally, you may visit the Department of State’s website: Apply for or Renew My Passport for more information on how to apply for a passport.

FAQs

Who can participate on a USG Goes Global program?
USG Goes Global programs are consortium study abroad programs and 22 of the 26 institutions in the University System of Georgia have joined USG Goes Global. Please check the list of Institutional Representatives for more information and to see if your institution is listed. All other students may still participate as a transient student at the University of West Georgia. Dual-enrollment students are not eligible to participate at this time. Students with tuition waivers (TAP/62+) can only be considered if the program is able to support their participation. For more information, email global@usg.edu.

I want to study abroad, what do I do next?
You may start by reviewing our programs on the USG Goes Global Via TRM; by contacting the USG Goes Global Program office at global@usg.edu; or by visiting your Institutional Representative on your home campus. Additionally, interested students should consult past students and faculty participants; your study abroad office/advisor and your academic advisor. These steps are important so that you can consider how various programs will help you to achieve your personal, academic and professional goals and you may make an informed decision about which experience is right for you.

I don’t speak any foreign languages, can I still go on programs to non-English speaking countries?
Yes! All of the USG Goes Global courses, with exception of foreign language classes, are taught in English.

Is it safe to go abroad?
We carefully consider safety when planning programs and we evaluate each program annually. All of the USG Goes Global programs operate in countries that the U.S. State Department considers safe for U.S. visitors. For more information about the safety of a particular country, please visit the U.S. State Department Travelers website.

Can I travel while I’m in the program? How is the program organized?
Yes, you can travel to other cities and countries while on the program. On our four and five week programs students will meet in the classroom twice a week and attend mandatory field excursions twice a week as well. Therefore, students will be able to enjoy three-day weekends for personal travel. Some programs may schedule required field trips during the first or final weekend in the host country and some sites may offer optional excursions organized by the program for an additional cost. Students are free to make their own travel arrangements so long as they do not conflict with scheduled classes and field trips. Students are required to inform Program Directors of all travel arrangements prior to leaving the United States. Additionally, free and half days have been built into our shorter programs. Your Program Director will inform you of your free days during the mandatory May orientation.

How much do USG Goes Global programs cost?
The tuition rate for all USG Goes Global programs are uniform at $199/credit hour. Students will register for courses and pay tuition at their home institution, or for transient students, at the University of West Georgia. All programs vary in price, so please review the individual program pages. The cost typically includes on-the-ground transportation, housing, insurance, meals and field trips. It is estimated that students should budget $200/week for meals not included in the program and an additional $200/week for spending money. When considering how much extra money to bring, please also consider the exchange rate.

Can I use my financial aid or HOPE towards the cost of my trip?
Yes, financial aid can be applied toward study abroad and USG Goes Global programs. You should speak with your Institutional Representative, your study abroad advisor/office and visit your financial aid office on your home campus to talk about your individual circumstances.

Are there scholarships available for study abroad?
Yes! We have Study Abroad Financial Resources listed on the International Education office website. Also, please speak to your Institutional Representative, visit your campus financial aid office and speak with the study abroad office/advisor on your home campus for more information.