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Study Abroad Programs

Eckerd College provides multiple ways for students to study abroad for a semester, a winter term, or during the summer. 

Eckerd-Sponsored Programs
Eckerd-Sponsored programs are study abroad opportunities that are designed, taught and led by Eckerd professors. Over 500 students study abroad on Eckerd programs each year! When Eckerd students study on Eckerd-Sponsored programs, they are eligible to apply for scholarships and utilize their institutional aid/grants.
 
Eckerd Center Programs: Eckerd professors lead semester-long programs to London, England and Seville, Spain. Since these programs are designed and led by Eckerd professors, they are considered an extension of Eckerd's campus in St. Pete. Therefore, students are considered as still studying at Eckerd while studying at an Eckerd Center. When studying on an Eckerd-sponsored program, all courses are already evaluated to determine the equivalent Eckerd course. Prior to departure, students are enrolled in Eckerd courses, they are charged tuition, housing, and a meal plan just as if they were studying in St. Pete. 
 
Eckerd Group
Eckerd Winter Term Courses: Eckerd professors also lead winter term courses overseas. These courses all take place in January. Travel dates are determined by how much time the course needs to travel overseas. Since each course teaches different content, and academic level varies, professors determine which students are best suited to create a diverse student cohort. The students selection varies from program to program. Some programs may select students who have all completed pre-requisite courses, some programs may select first year students because the course has introductory information.

After students are selected, they pay a program deposit through their ECWeb portal to secure their space on a program. The remainder of the program fee is added to their student account. Students are required to pay the remainder of the bill prior to January 1, when Winter Term begins. All payments are discussed with and paid to the Bursar's office. 

Eckerd Spring into Summer Courses: Eckerd professors also lead spring into summer courses overseas. These courses all vary in course delivery. These courses become part of the spring semester course load, then students travel after the semester ends in May. Students need to communicate with the professor teaching the course to learn how many times the course will meet on campus during the spring semester. Some courses meet weekly, some courses meet monthly, etc. Similar to winter term courses, since each course teaches different content, and academic level varies, professors determine which students are best suited to create a diverse student cohort. The students selection varies from program to program. These courses are very good selections for first-year students, because they have more time to get to know professors and their intended major prior to studying abroad. 

After students are selected, they pay a program deposit through their ECWeb portal to secure their space on a program. The remainder of the program fee is added to their student account. Students are required to pay the remainder of the bill prior to January 1, when Winter Term begins. All payments are discussed with and paid to the Bursar's office. 


Affiliate Programs
Affiliate programs are partners that Eckerd has identified as having good academic programs that meet the needs of Eckerd students. When students study on an affiliate program, they have to complete two applications: Eckerd's study abroad application and the affiliate's application. 

It is important to select the correct affiliate program and discuss the courses available with your Mentor well in advance of studying abroad. When students study on an affiliate program, Eckerd makes note that the student is not studying at Eckerd by registering them in "placeholder" courses. The student then applies and completes all paperwork with their selected affiliate partner. They will pay all money and fess to the affiliate during the semester they are not at Eckerd. Because the student is not at Eckerd for the semester and they are paying all their fees to the affiliate, they are not eligible to utilize their institutional aid. If the student wishes to use a student loan to pay for the affiliate program, they need to talk with the affiliate and financial aid. 

Please note: some students choose to study abroad through an organization that is not an affiliate of Eckerd College. In these instances, the student will contact the Registrar's Office to complete a leave of absence. They will then work with the selected organization to study abroad. When they return from their time abroad, they will contact the Registrar's Office to request the transcript be evaluated for credit. This process would be similar to what a student does if they take a class at their local community college. 
 
Exchange Programs
Exchange programs are also Eckerd partners - a student from the other university switches (exchanges) spaces with an Eckerd student. Similar to center programs, students are enrolled in Eckerd courses, they are charged tuition, housing, and a meal plan just as if they were studying in St. Pete. Therefore, students are eligible to apply for scholarships and utilize their institutional aid/grants.