Education Abroad

The Education Abroad office, located in the Center for International Programs, guides students pursuing an educational experience outside the United States. Whether the student wishes to attend a program through the University of Dayton or through another institution, our education abroad staff assist with the application process and prepares students through a pre-departure orientation. The education abroad staff also offer a re-entry program to students returning to the U.S.

A variety of international education programs are available through the University of Dayton, including summer, semester and full-year study abroad programs; international service opportunities and work experiences; and intercultural programming.

Summer Education Abroad - Interdisciplinary

The University Summer Study Abroad Program, offered through the Center for International Programs (CIP), is a unique study and travel experience. Students choose from eight to twelve sites during the months of May, June and July, and spend approximately three to five weeks at each program site. While abroad, students select courses from a variety of disciplines and use on-site resources to guide and enhance their learning experience. Typically, courses are taught by University of Dayton professors. By choosing to study at two sites, students can earn up to a full semester of credits. Past sites have included Athens, Dublin, Florence, London, Madrid, Paris, Rome and Shanghai.

Summer Education Abroad - Disciplinary

Summer education abroad programs which are specific to one area of study are also offered on a regular basis. Summer 2012 options included programs for business, communication, and psychology.

Language majors or minors can develop their spoken and written foreign language skills through summer language immersion programs. Students can improve their foreign language skills while integrating personal experiences and discoveries with material discussed in class lectures. University of Dayton professors design the courses to incorporate contemporary use of the language and explore the culture, government, and history of the city and nation in which they are teaching.

Semester/Academic-Year Education Abroad

The University of Dayton has developed partnerships and participates in exchange agreements with several overseas institutions. In addition to University of Dayton tuition and university fee, students are responsible for their room and board in the host country, international travel, and personal expenses. Most financial aid (including institutional scholarships and grants) applies to exchange programs. For the most current list of partners, visit www.udayton.edu/international/university_initiatives/partners.php.

Other Opportunities

University of Dayton students can study abroad in many countries through other U.S. colleges and universities, and study abroad organizations or overseas universities. In addition to tuition, students are responsible for room and board in the host country, international travel, and personal expenses. Aid for non-University of Dayton sponsored programs is limited to federal loans and grants. Through these programs, University of Dayton students can study in Argentina, Australia, Austria, China, Costa Rica, the Czech Republic, France, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Mexico, Poland, Russia, South Africa, Spain, the United Kingdom, and many other countries.

Service Abroad

The Center for Social Concern offers opportunities for students to combine service-learning with their education abroad experience. The International Summer Immersion programs introduce students to the country's way of life through job placements, interaction with host families and travel through the country. Past destinations have included India, Cameroon, and Guatemala. The Center for Social Concern also coordinates week-long international service programs during the University's winter break.

ETHOS offers various service opportunities in cities within Latin America, Africa, India, China, and Bangladesh, as well as domestic placements. Through ETHOS International Service Learning Placements, students participate in an 8- to 16-week service-learning internship. These internships involve working with NGOs or cottage industries doing engineering- and/or business-related work. The program is operated through the School of Engineering and open to both engineering and business majors. Students from other majors may participate by permission.

Release Agreement and Travel Registration

All students participating in a university-sponsored international program must complete the Release and Agreement Form which releases the University from liability for claims including, but not limited to, injury, delay, and damage while abroad. As part of this agreement, the student agrees to abide by the University's standards of behavior while in the host country or countries. Students are also required to complete: the Health Information and Emergency Treatment Authorization Form which requests medical information; and the Behavioral Contract which outlines the institution's expectations for behavior while abroad. Depending on the program, students may need to complete the Authorization Form in order to transfer academic credit earned as part of a study abroad program to the University of Dayton.

Additionally, all University of Dayton students participating in a university-sponsored international program are required to complete the online Travel Registry as part of their pre-departure requirements. The University-wide travel registry allows the University to remain in close contact with students, should they need assistance while abroad. In addition to the Travel Registry, all students participating in an individual exchange or non-University-sponsored program are required to register with the U.S. State Department.

International SOS

The University of Dayton has contracted with International SOS (SOS) to provide worldwide medical, travel, and security assistance and evacuation services for all faculty, staff and students participating in university-related international travel. Services include up-to-date reports on safety and security, health issues, medical referrals, and vaccination requirements for individual countries. SOS offers our students travel, medical, and security advice and services and protects against a variety of difficulties that could arise while abroad; however, the SOS is NOT health insurance. The University of Dayton continues to require all students studying abroad to maintain health insurance coverage and to make certain that their policies cover them while abroad.

High Risk Travel

The University will suspend all University-sponsored and organized instructional programs in countries or specific areas within countries for which the Department of State (DOS) has issued a Travel Warning or the Center for Disease Control (CDC) has issued a Travel Health Warning. If a warning is issued after the program is underway, the University's International Response Team (IRT) will review each situation on a case-by-case basis to determine the appropriate course of action. Refunds will be evaluated on a case-by-case basis and may depend on specific service-provider refund policies.

For individual travel by students who have University funding to pursue research, study or other University-related business in countries or specific areas within countries for which the DOS has issued a Travel Warning, or the CDC has issued a Travel Health Warning, the University will not provide funding for undergraduates. Also, the University will not provide support for faculty, staff, or graduate/professional students in a country where a mandatory evacuation order has been issued. The University will review on a case-by-case basis requests for waivers (see waiver requests below).

If a warning is issued after the program is underway, the University will review each situation on a case-by-case basis to determine the appropriate course of action. In general, the University will not require the traveler to reimburse already expended funds. However, the University reserves the right to terminate remaining funding. Should a traveler have concerns and decide to return home based on lower-level travel warnings, the University will not require the traveler to reimburse expenses already incurred.

Travel Waiver Requests: Requests for a travel waiver will be considered under limited circumstances. Waiver requests should be submitted to the Center for International Programs and include a description of the learning, service, and/or research objectives of the trip; the importance of the program to the educational, research, service, or professional development of the group or individual; the political and physical conditions at the proposed site that could impact health and safety; the level of risk to the individual or group health and safety, including the traveler(s) knowledge of the area and conditions; a description of travel conditions within the country and an evacuation plan should it become necessary; and a signed High Risk Travel Waiver/Release for each traveler.

In addition to review of the warnings in question and the required waiver, the University's CIP will seek to obtain information regarding the actions of U.S. companies and organizations in country. The CIP will also consult with relevant country experts at International SOS or other relevant organizations in country to obtain additional information and advice on the situation. IRT members will have the opportunity to review the waiver application along with the additional information collected by the CIP and provide input. An IRT waiver review subcommittee will make the final decision regarding travel waivers. There is no appeal process for waivers that are denied.

University of Dayton's Foreign Liability Insurance - Excluded Countries

The University's commercial insurance carrier's foreign liability policy excludes some countries from the "coverage territory". Check with the CIP for a complete and up-to-date list of excluded countries.

In order for the third party insurer to consider these countries as coverage exclusion exceptions, travelers must submit to the Center for International Programs the following at least one month in advance of travel: name(s) of traveler per trip to each country; defined secured evacuation plans; preferred travel/logistical arrangements; trip purpose to travel in these countries; signed high risk travel waiver/release. The CIP will send this information to the Chair of the University of Dayton Insurance Review Committee who will seek a response from the insurance provider. The decision will be communicated to the travelers.