EARN CREDIT WITH GLOBAL EXPERIENCES!

As an industry leader in international education programs, Global Experiences understands that obtaining credit is an important part of any international study, work or volunteer experience. We have facilitated the accreditation process for many of our past program participants. Whether you are volunteering in the Amazon rainforest, studying Italian in Florence or interning in an Australian marketing firm, Global Experiences will work with you and your home university to ensure that you receive the appropriate accreditation for your global experience.

There are two ways to obtain credit for a Global Experiences program; transfer credit from our foreign schools or independent study credit from our US-based affiliate university, Eastern Washington University. One may also combine foreign transfer credit with independent study credit.

Global Experiences participants can receive independent study course credit through our university affiliate, Eastern Washington University (EWU). These courses are designed to allow for independent study and require you to delve deeper into your international experience through a series of written observations and academic journaling during your time abroad. Upon completion, credits may then be transferred to your university or college. This is currently available for our volunteer, language study and internship programs.

Example courses include (these are just examples, more are available):

• Exploring Cultural Diversity: A Focus on Communication
• Photography for Communicating Experiences
• Comparing Cultures and Societies
• Cultural Diversity for the Professional

In order to receive credit through EWU, students must first complete the standard program application process with Global Experiences. You may then download the on-page credit registration form required for obtaining credit through EWU. You must show your curriculum to your university professor and/or faculty advisor before going on your program to ensure that the selected course fits in with your academic program. How much credit you can earn depends on the length of your program. Tuition fees for this program cost $120.00 per credit hour and are separate from your published Global Experiences program fees. Most course fees also require the "International Field Study Workbook" which costs $15.00. Please note that EWU operates on a quarter system, not a semester system. For example, 5 quarter credits equals approximately 3.25 semester credits. We are happy to answer any questions related to the credit system.

After completing your program, your credits will transfer, at a minimum, as electives, and may also be applied to your major or minor field of study at your home university. Some universities place a limit on the amount of study abroad credit that can be applied towards your degree so please check with your university first.

Please note: Independent study can be an enriching addition to your time abroad, but it can also be quite demanding. If you are only planning on being abroad for a short period of time and you want to do some traveling, we recommend that you carefully consider your goals for your international experience. You may decide that you would rather have more time for cultural excursions and travel even if it means foregoing academic credit.

Click Here for more information about earning credit through EWU for a Global Experiences program.

Global Experiences does not grant credit for your program - your university does. Many universities accept transfer credit for study abroad programs that they do not directly sponsor. However, just as no two programs are the same, every university has different criteria that you should know in advance and follow in order to gain credit for your experience abroad. Once you have identified the Global Experiences program that you would like to attend, it is imperative that you review your foreign study objectives and your institution's administrative requirements with your advisor and obtain your university's written guidelines.

For example, before you depart, you may be required to furnish course descriptions, teaching methodology, syllabi, instructor profiles, and more. By working with our international partners, your Global Experiences Program Coordinator will be able to provide you with all of the required program information for your university. Please note that transcripts are provided by the foreign schools after the completion of your course.

On average, your home university will require approximately 15 class hours for 1 semester credit. For example, a 3-credit semester course at your home university usually requires the successful completion of 45 class hours. Please check with your university administration for the exact credit breakdown.

Global Experiences programs encompass a variety of disciplines. Therefore, it is important for you to determine the part of the program for which you are hoping to receive credit. For example, you may decide to enroll in a 3 month Italian language plus internship program in Florence. You need to decide whether you are seeking credit for the Italian language training portion, the professional internship portion, or both.

Credit for Foreign Language Training
Our foreign language training is offered at all levels and our foreign schools will assign your course based upon a brief placement test that you will take upon arrival. Please note that the course titles and mnemonics may vary per school. Up to 12 language levels ranging from beginner to advanced are available and regular progress tests are held at the end of each level.All participants attend a minimum of 80 class hours per 4-week period through a combination of small group, conversation and one-one-one classes.

Credits for Internship and Volunteer Programs
These programs are commonly referred to as a practicum, internship, work-study or service learning program. Given the independent nature of these "outside the classroom" programs, please be sure to consult with your academic advisor prior to beginning the program to ensure you are able to quantify the amount of credit desired and that you have the required written guidelines for obtaining internship credit. To facilitate this, Global Experiences is able to offer credit for independent study coursework completed during the internship phase of your program through our affiliation with Eastern Washington University (see next section).

As you consider what Global Experiences program you will take, here are a few simple suggestions to help you in the planning process:

Before Your Program Begins

• Decide what you want to gain from the program, personally, academically and professionally.
• Print off the program details from our Web site.
• Speak with your Global Experience program coordinator. Together with our affiliate schools, we are here to help provide you with detailed information that you can present to your advisor.
• Schedule an appointment with your faculty or study abroad advisor to discuss your goals for the program and how you see it fitting in with the degree you are pursuing.

During Your Program

• Treat your experience abroad as if it were a class offered at your home university.
• Save every piece of material that you are given including quizzes, exams, course syllabi, textbooks, hand-outs, etc.
• Keep a journal (see independent study credit options for courses that offer credit for keeping a journal during your time abroad).
• Take photos (these are obviously great keepsakes but can also be valuable in documenting your experience for your advisor upon your return).
• Take thorough notes - your advisor may wish to see them when you get back.
• Ask for a transcript from the foreign school (Note: the foreign school may not be familiar with your university's transcript requirements.) So that you can ensure that you can return to your advisor with everything you need, it is a good idea to do the following:
• advise the school of your academic requirements and show them your written administrative guidelines.
• be sure to obtain a hard copy of the transcript that the school issues so you can physically bring it back with you to your home university. Your school abroad may wish to e-mail or fax the records. This is fine, but it is a good idea to have a copy for you as well.

After Your Program

• Organize your materials. You may be required to make a presentation to your professor and or advisor upon your return. You should know this before you begin your program. Plan on furnishing your attendance reports, teacher evaluations, transcripts, syllabi, completed coursework, graded exams, essays, etc.
• " Consult your Global Experiences program coordinator should you require further information for obtaining credit.

Please contact your program coordinator if you would like to receive more information about receiving credit for your Global Experience.