Study Abroad

There is no additional fee to study abroad for a semester or an academic year. The College of the Holy Cross operates on the 'Home School Tuition Model', which means that a semester abroad costs the same as (and sometimes a little less than) a semester at Holy Cross. Financial aid 'travels', and student financial aid packages are not impacted by study abroad.

Maymesters are fully student-funded. Maymesters occur outside of the traditional academic year (4-6 weeks between late May and late June) and are therefore not covered by financial aid. However, all Maymester applicants will automatically be considered for internal financial aid and opportunity funds. Awards will be determined based on the availability of funding. The Office of Study Abroad endeavors to meet 100% of each student’s demonstrated financial need, but we cannot guarantee full funding for each student.

The College is committed to making study abroad accessible for all qualified students. To honor this commitment, the College offers need-based financial aid for students studying abroad and, accordingly, relies on tuition revenue to provide this need-based financial aid. Additionally, using the Home School Tuition Model allows for federal financial aid to be applied to a student’s bill. 

Students on Holy Cross approved programs will remain continuously enrolled at Holy Cross while studying abroad. This allows students to receive Holy Cross credit for their courses abroad and for grades to be posted on their Holy Cross transcript. 

Finally, for enrolled Holy Cross students, the Office of Study Abroad provides a full range of student support services and programming - from initial inquiry through support while abroad and when they return to campus.  In other words, tuition dollars also cover the operating costs of the Office of Study Abroad.

Students should be aware that withdrawing from a Study Abroad program after committing will have academic and financial consequences. See the Withdrawal Policy that all student abroad students sign below: 

1. If I withdraw from a study abroad program and am able to re-enroll at Holy Cross the same semester, I will:

   1. forfeit any flight credit

   2. be charged for Holy Cross fees and any unrecoverable charges that the College has incurred while I was abroad, including, but not limited to: host institution tuition, host room/board fees, orientation fees, cultural activities.

   3. not be guaranteed classes at Holy Cross

   4. not be guaranteed on-campus housing

   5. waive my eligibility to study abroad the following semester

2. If I withdraw from a Study Abroad program and take a leave of absence from Holy Cross, I:

   1. will be subject to the Holy Cross Bursar’s refund policy

   2. may lose a semester of academic credit

   3. may be required to re-enroll at Holy Cross

   4. may lose any flight credit depending on circumstances; documentation may be required

   5. waive my eligibility to study abroad the following semester.

Financial Aid ‘travels.’ The determination of financial aid eligibility for studying abroad via a Holy Cross approved program is calculated just as it is for students who are living on campus. Financial aid is based on the standard cost of attendance. The College considers the standard cost of board when determining financial aid awards even if they are not directly billed for it on their student account. Students and/or families who are financing their education with loans should consider the total cost of attendance when determining the amount of loans requested. The cost of attendance includes tuition, fees, room, board, books, supplies and personal expenses. To review the specific costs, please view the Bursar's Office page on tuition and fees. 

Students who are awarded scholarships from sources external to Holy Cross (for example, a study abroad partner University) must report the scholarship to the Financial Aid Office.  Financial Aid will then determine how the scholarship is applied to the HC bill. Specific questions regarding your financial aid award should be directed to financialaid@holycross.edu.

In most cases, your student  will find it most convenient to use credit and ATM cards abroad (Visa or Mastercard). Before your student leaves home, it is advisable to check with your bank or credit card company about fees for withdrawals and purchases made abroad. It is recommended that your student arrive in-country with some cash in local currency in case there are any problems with accessing funds in the first few days.

Students should consider their individual lifestyles and the types of experiences they'd like to have while studying abroad when planning their budget. Consider the following:

• Will your student eat at fancy restaurants often or do they prefer cheap and cheerful cafes? 
• Will your student participate in nightlife frequently? 
• Does your student plan to do a lot of travel in their host country or outside of it? 

To start, it's a great idea to research the average cost of everyday items in your student’s  host destination. To do this, go to numbeo cost of living calculator  and enter your desired city! You'll get an idea of the average cost of everything from coffee and bread to public transportation and beyond. 

Studying abroad is an incredible way for your student to step out of their comfort zone, experience new cultures, and gain a global perspective that goes far beyond Worcester. Students build lifelong friendships, develop valuable career-applicable skills, and discover more about themselves. It’s more than just travel; it’s a unique opportunity to explore, learn, and grow in ways that will shape the future.

We take pride in supporting a vibrant and diverse community of students in our study abroad programs - from those specializing in STEM fields to others balancing multiple majors, minors, and concentrations. No matter your student’s academic path, our goal is to make study abroad accessible, enriching, and supportive, so students feel empowered to explore the world and make the most of their college experience.

Students can study abroad on semester and yearlong programs as early as the second semester of their sophomore year and as late as the first semester of their senior year. All rising sophomores, juniors, and seniors are welcome to participate in our faculty-led Maymester programs (4-6 week programs starting in May and ending in mid to late June)

Students can choose from over 70 Holy Cross approved programs across the globe. 

Showing interest in your student’s study abroad program can be a positive way to demonstrate your support. You have a great opportunity to encourage your student to select a program that aligns with their academic and personal goals instead of focusing on other factors like traveling with friends groups. We encourage families to empower their students by allowing them to engage in the pre-departure process as independently as possible. The preparation phase sets the tone for the remainder of the program, and students should become accustomed to working through issues and completing important documents on their own. This will not only prepare them to be more independent, but will also increase their feeling of ownership of the entire experience. Encourage your student to trust Office of Study Abroad staff, on-site coordinators, and university personnel to help with the many adjustments that are part of every study abroad experience.

Holy Cross is proud to offer many language immersion programs across the Middle East, Asia, Europe, South America, and beyond. Students who wish to participate in a language immersion program must generally complete a level 301 in their target language. 

We also offer a range of programs across the globe that do not require advanced proficiency in another language, however, the majority of these programs require at least one course in the language of the host country. 

Most foreign institutions are quite different from Holy Cross in areas such as registration procedures, teaching and grading styles, accommodations, access to technology, and campus facilities. Students should be prepared to embrace and learn from such differences and resist the urge to make comparisons.

Minimum GPA / Deficiencies

• All students must maintain a minimum GPA of 3.0 prior to departure.
• Any deficiencies on a student's transcript must be addressed prior to departure. Deficiencies include: course withdrawals, failed classes, and underenrollment.

Passport

All students are required to have a passport valid at least 6 months after the planned date of return from study abroad. Note: It is the student's responsibility to advise study abroad staff immediately if they are a non-US passport holder. 

Leaves of Absence / Semester Withdrawals

Students may not study abroad the semester directly following a leave of absence or withdrawal from the College.

Altering Program Dates (NOT permitted)

• The Office of Study Abroad maintains a strict policy prohibiting students from altering program dates.
• All students must remain at their host institution through the end of the scheduled examination period, study abroad program period, or posted term/semester dates of that institution.
• Students are not allowed to approach individual professors, program administrators, or university staff to request different or earlier exam dates - nor any other normative, scheduled academic evaluation - to accommodate personal conflicts, including internship start dates.

This policy is clearly outlined in the Student Abroad Student Contract & Conduct Policy, which all students must acknowledge and sign as part of their application to study abroad.

The Office of Study Abroad regularly advises and guides students whose academic profiles include multiple majors, minors, and concentrations through selecting classes abroad that progress them towards degree completion at Holy Cross. 

Here’s how it works. Once Holy Cross students select and/or register for the specific courses they want to take abroad, they ensure that each class ‘maps’ onto their academics at Holy Cross by submitting a Course Approval Form (CAF) in STAR for each class at their study abroad institution. The Assistant Registrar and the Study Abroad Faculty Advisor (SAFA) for each department evaluate that class for the appropriate equivalency and credit. The Registrar's Office evaluates Common Area requirements; SAFAs evaluate Major/Minor/Concentration requirements. Students receive the “go-ahead” to pursue their classes shortly afterwards, or are requested to adjust their specific courses, or course load, as needed. 

Note: If students talk to their advisors/SAFAs before they depart, and they  stay in touch during the course selection process, they should not receive any 'surprise' rejections.

After students complete their study abroad term, the grades they earn are reported to Holy Cross. All classes taken abroad are listed by their course names on the Holy Cross transcript along with the letter grades earned, just as they would after any semester on 'the hill'. The difference is that grades earned abroad do not factor into students’ cumulative GPA. 

Here’s an example: a student who leaves Holy Cross with a 4.0 GPA but earns all 'B's abroad will still have a cumulative 4.0 GPA upon return. This system is designed with students in mind. The College recognizes that opting to spend a semester or year studying in a new academic environment can pose novel challenges. The goal of this generous policy is to encourage students to study abroad without fearing for what a semester or year away might do to their GPA.

The Office of Study Abroad strives to accommodate every student, however, the accommodations a student has access to at Holy Cross are not always available abroad. Students should contact their Study Abroad Advisor to discuss specific needs.

The Holy Cross Campus Police dispatcher (508-793-2222)  will contact a Study Abroad staff member for assistance in case of emergency. Please provide as much detail as possible about the emergency situation. In the event of a political crisis, natural disaster, or other emergency abroad, the Office of Study Abroad will be in close contact with relevant stakeholders to mitigate risk to Holy Cross students. 

Additionally, students receive personal contact details for their study abroad advisors (for use in emergency situations) during pre-departure orientations. 

Further, all Holy Cross study abroad participants are automatically enrolled in International SOS (IntlSOS), a state-of-the art global security assistance and international health insurance provider. lSOS offers comprehensive medical, security, emotional support (counseling), as well as logistical expertise, to all Holy Cross students during their time abroad at 215-942-8478

All Holy Cross study abroad participants are automatically enrolled in International SOS (IntlSOS), a state-of-the art global security assistance and international health insurance provider. lSOS offers comprehensive medical, security, emotional support (counseling), as well as logistical expertise, to all Holy Cross students during their time abroad at 215-942-8478. The cost of this Global Assistance Program is approximately $225 per semester, which will appear on your student’s tuition bill. 

All students should bring enough prescription medications to last their entire semester or year away. Be advised that certain medications (especially medications traditionally prescribed for ADHD/ADD) might not be available abroad.

If a student is unable to obtain enough of any given medication to 'cover' them during their semester or year abroad, they should begin working with ISOS International insurance before departure to find a provider in the host city that can prescribe their medication while they are away. Students can also  think ahead! If, for example, a friend or family member is planning to visit at any point during the semester or year, the friend or family member may be able to bring over prescriptions for the student. If your student needs to work with ISOS, they can  open the app and press the phone or chat button. They can also call +1 215-942-8478.

Over-the-counter Medications

All students should bring a supply of any over-the-counter medications they take on a regular basis.

Medications in different countries can be called different things, or might not be available at all. In order to avoid unnecessary stress or confusion, it can be a good idea to travel with a supply of everyday medications.

Students should contact their study abroad advisor and/or ISOS insurance for guidance about vaccines for specific locations.

Students with apparent or non-apparent disabilities will likely need to take special measures when planning a study abroad experience.  Not all accommodations and facilities will be available in all locations, so it’s important that your student discusses their needs with their study abroad advisor as far in advance as possible.

The Office of Study Abroad works closely with our partner institutions to provide a safe and welcoming environment for all of our students. While no part of the world is crime-free (including the U.S.), we prepare students for common safety issues during the pre-departure process. 

Students receive site-specific safety information during pre-departure orientations and on-site orientations, and are encouraged to use the International SOS (IntlSOS) app to gain an understanding of local risks and safety considerations. Students are also encouraged to monitor State Department Travel Advisories. 

If  your student is sick or injured abroad they should, contact IntlSOS* by phone, chat (in the app) or email (in the app)

Step 1: ISOS can find a medical provider/hospital OR your student can choose a medical provider/hospital and inform IntlSOS (before or while receiving medical services.)

Step 2: lSOS contacts the medical provider/hospital and arranges for insurance to be billed  directly.

Step 3: Your student receives medical care and pays no out-of-pocket expenses!

If your student forgets to contact IntlSOS and ends up paying out-of-pocket for medical expenses, they can contact their Holy Cross study abroad advisor for instructions on submitting an online claim for reimbursement. They’ll need receipts to be approved for reimbursement. 

*in a true, developing, emergency, students should call the local equivalent of 911

If your student has a chronic physical or psychological condition that requires ongoing treatment, they should consult with their physician about the prospect of studying abroad. If your student is on medication, they should consult with their physician and insurance company (including Holy Cross’s international insurance provider, ISOS, which all students are automatically enrolled in) to discuss the type of care they may need abroad and the best way to continue their regimen. Encourage your student to discuss these matters with an Office of Study Abroad staff member.