Summer Programs

Semester/ Year Programs

“How far can I go?” Last year, nearly 200,000 students across the United States studied abroad, and many important jobs will be filled by those  who have the experience and knowledge to compete in the global marketplace. Students who have had an overseas study experience demonstrate real world skills that cannot be learned in a traditional classroom setting. Skills like fluency in a foreign language, independence, risk taking, ability to handle new situations, problem solving, specialized expertise in another region of the world, and adaptability in a multi-cultural setting are all highly desirable qualities in a prospective employee.

GPC offers faculty-led, short term, summer study abroad programs designed with the two-year college student in mind. Any student in good academic standing can study abroad on most programs. Study abroad is also more affordable than you may think. Students who qualify can use financial aid, HOPE, and study abroad scholarships or stipends to help with the cost of a study abroad program.

GPC study abroad courses are designed to allow students in almost any major to complete core requirements overseas and receive academic credit. Students planning to study abroad should apply at 1 or 2 semesters in advance of departure. Transfer of academic credit from other study abroad programs to GPC will be decided on a case by case basis. Please contact your GPC study abroad advisor at the for assistance in identifying a program.

FAQ (Hover over the question to reveal the answer)

• Question: Am I eligible to study abroad?
  • Answer: GPC sponsored study abroad programs, European Counil programs, and Asia Council programs are open to currently enrolled students who are in good academic standing.
• Question: Can F-1 or Permanent Resident students participate in study abroad?
  • Answer: In many cases, yes. F-1 and Permanent Resident students should work closely with both the Center for International Education and International Student Admissions and Advising to verify eligibility and ensure the proper documentation to participate. Students currently paying out-of-state fees for tuition are charged in-state tuition + $250 for study abroad programs. 
• Question: Can I apply for a study abroad program if I don't have a passport?\
  • Answer: You can apply for a program before obtaining a passport, but you should apply for or renew your passport immediately. Your passport number is often needed for reserving airline tickets. For information about how ot apply for a passport, please visit Passports at Travel.State.gov.
• Question: Can I apply to a study abroad program without paying the $200/ $250 deposit?
  • Answer: No. Study abroad applications are not reviewed until the initial deposit has been made.
• Question: Can I count my scholarship or stipend towards my first study abroad payment?
  • Answer: Probably not. Study abroad scholarships and stipends are normally disbursed some time in April, and in some cases later than that. This is frequently after students are registered for classes, and after the first payment deadline has passed. 
• Question: Can I use financial aid to pay for my study abroad program?
  • Answer: In most cases, yes. Students who qualify for financial aid may use many forms of financial aid to help fund their study abroad program. You should make an appointment with a financial aid adviser as early as possible in order to make the most of the funds that are available to you. 
• Question:  Do I have to apply as a transient student to participate on a study abroad program through another school?
  • Answer: GPC students who want to study abroad on a European or Asia Council Program do not need to apply as a transient. All other programs require non-matriculated students to apply for transient stutus. Non-GPC students must apply as a transient student to participate in a GPC study abroad program. Please contact the study abroad advisor at your home institution for assistance with the transient process.
• Question: Do I have to pay tuition for my study abroad classes?
  • Answer: Yes. Study abroad classes are credit bearing classes and tuition must be paid when summer tuition is due. Study abroad students do not have to pay some fees associated with regular on-campus classes. Fees that are not assessed for study abroad tuition are the technology fee (unless the course is an online course), activity fee and the athletic fee. Out-of-state and international students pay in-state tuition for study abroad courses with an additional $250 fee.
• Question: How do I register for study abroad classes?
  • Answer: The answer is, you do not. Study abroad students make their course selections on their application form. The Center for International Education will register you for your courses as long as you apply for either a GPC, or Council program. All drop adds for these study abroad courses must come through the CIE office. Students applying to programs through other schools should contact the CIE for advice on how to apply and register for classes.
• Question: I am applying for a study abroad program through a school other than GPC. Do I have to speak to anyone at GPC about it?
  • Answer: Yes. Although you are applying through another school, GPC is responsible for your advisement, approving your program for academic credit and, frequently, for registering you for your classes. Please contact the Study Abroad Advisor, if you have an interest in an independent program.
• Question: I have already applied to graduate at the end of the spring semester. Does that mean I can't study abroad this summer?
  • Answer: Graduation applications are good for about 3 semesters. Graduating students are still actively enrolled with GPC and eligible to register until they have not registered for 3 consecutive semesters.
• Question: I want to go on a European Council program. Do I have to apply as a transient student to the sponsoring school?
  • Answer: No, GPC students do not have to apply as transient students to participate in European Council programs. When GPC students participate in Council sponsored programs, they pay program fees to the sponsoring school, but register for classes and pay tuition at GPC.
• Question: I want to study abroad, but I don't want to sign up for a class. Can I do that?
  • Answer: No. Study Abroad students must enroll in at least one study abroad class. Depending on the study abroad program length, you may register for as few as 3 credits (short-term program) or as many as 12- 15 credits (semester-length program).
• Question: The study abroad class I want to take is on the Student Information System. Can I go ahead and register for the class myself?
  • Answer: The Center for International Education staff will register you for your study abroad classes after you have applied, been accepted, and paid for the program. If you want to drop/add classes, you must contact the CIE in writing.
• Question: What pre-departure orientation do I have to go to and do I have to go?
  • Answer: All study abroad students are required to attend orientation. Non-GPC sponsored programs have their own required orientations.
• Question: What if my academic standing drops below eligibility after I have been accepted to a study abroad program?
  • Answer: Students must be in good academic standing in order to participate. If you drop below the minimum requirement after you have been accepted to the program, you will be dropped from the program.
• Question: What is study abroad?
  • Answer: Study abroad programs are credit bearing, academic programs that allow eligible students to earn GPC credit towards their degree during a period of study in a foreign country. GPC programs are typically short-term, summer programs led, taught and organized by GPC faculty. Groups of students, typically 8 to 20 in a group, travel with 2 or more GPC faculty to a host school overseas to take classes in a variety of subjects.
• Question: Where do I make study abroad payments/ pay my deposit?
  • Answer: Program payments and deposits for GPC Sponsored programs can be made at the Student Accounts Office at any GPC campus. You may pay in person using cash, check, credit card or your Higher One Card. Checks should be made out to Georgia Perimeter College. Council program fee payments must be submitted to the sponsoring institution (VSU, AASU, DSC) . Tuition for Council programs is paid to GPC student Accounts. Deposits and program payments can be made any time before the deadline; early application and payment is strongly encouraged.
• Question: Where do I submit my study abroad application?
  • Answer: Complete application instructions for all types of study abroad programs can be found under " How to Apply".