Student Handbook
Faculty Led Study Abroad

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Intro

At Sacramento State, we believe international education experiences play a key role in the intellectual, personal, and professional growth of our students. Studying abroad gives students the opportunity to apply their knowledge to real-world experiences, understand the historical foundations of diverse cultures firsthand, and expand their horizons. The decision to study abroad has the potential to be the most transformative and inspirational experience of a student’s academic career.

The goals of education abroad are multi-faceted. They include, but are not limited to, the following:

  • Discipline-specific learning that supplements the Sacramento State curriculum
  • Placement of a discipline in its international context
  • Country/region-specific learning
  • Language acquisition
  • Personal and professional development

Before you travel abroad, it’s crucial that you read the information in this handbook and familiarize yourself with the expectations of studying abroad.

Audience

Faculty-Led Programs are ideal for:

  • Sac State students who would like to earn academic credit towards graduation.
  • community college students, or students from other universities, who would like to earn academic credit from Sacramento State.
  • students who have family commitments and cannot be away from the family for a semester or longer.
  • students who want to study abroad but cannot leave their extracurricular activities (clubs, fraternities, sororities, etc.) by embarking on long-term programs.
  • student-athletes who want to study abroad during their off-season (programs are offered during summer, winter, and spring breaks).
  • working students who cannot be away from work for more than 2 weeks.
  • students with little and/or limited travel experience (in faculty-led programs, you are accompanied by other Sac State students and faculty during your trip).
  • students who are in majors that do not allow the flexibility to study abroad for a semester or longer.
  • members of the community and lifelong learners who see these study abroad opportunities as a valuable learning experience.
  • students who want to build skills crucial for career readiness and life after graduation (read more about how study abroad can increase your employability and career skills).
  • students who want to build connections and expand their professional network internationally.

Eligibility

Faculty-led study abroad programs are open to matriculated and non-matriculated students.

If you are a community college student, a student from another university, or a community member who would like to earn academic credit from Sacramento State, please contact the program coordinator for more information.

To be eligible to participate in any faculty-led study abroad program, you must:

  • Complete and submit the FLSA application
  • Be at least 18 years old
  • Complete program prerequisites (if applicable)
  • Have a valid passport

If you are an F-1 student, please contact your international student advisor. In order to qualify to study abroad, F-1 students must:

  • Have a valid F-1 visa to be able to return to the U.S. after the program is over
  • Have received a new Form I-20 with travel endorsement
  • Have maintained status

Costs & Payment Instructions

All our Faculty-Led Programs costs consist of the following:

  • Tuition & Fees: $425 per unit
  • Travel insurance
  • Lodging
  • In-country transportation
  • All academic excursions/activities
  • Meals (varies by program)

To confirm your enrollment, you will need to complete the 1st payment by the given deadline.

Upon completion, you will receive an acceptance email from the Program Coordinator with more information regarding your chosen program’s next payment.

Payments can be made online through My Sac State. If needed, please reach out to the Program Coordinator for online payment instructions or contact our CCE registration line at (916)278-6984 for payment assistance.

Financial Aid

Students participating in Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs (FLSA) are eligible for financial aid if the total number of units taken over the Summer Session is 6 or greater. This can be achieved with another Summer Session course at Sacramento State. Please note that if you do decide to take a regular Sac State Summer Session course, you will be responsible to pay the Summer Session campus mandatory fee ($441 as of Summer 2023). Financial aid is not available for Winter FLSA programs.

Awards for summer are based on remaining financial aid eligibility not used in the prior fall and/or spring semesters at any college.

Students are encouraged to apply for financial aid early by completing the FAFSA and contacting their financial aid coordinator.

Scholarships 

Students are also encouraged to apply for general study abroad scholarships such as:

  • Phi Kappa Phi Study Abroad Grants - Open to undergraduate students attending an institution with an active Phi Kappa Phi chapter. Students must have a 3.75 or higher GPA. Additional eligibility requirements may apply. Please check the website for more details.
  • Hosteling International Explore the World Travel Scholarships - Open to U.S. citizens or permanent residents with financial needs between the ages of 18-30. Additional eligibility requirements may apply. Please check the website for more details.
  • Benjamin A Gilman International Scholarship Program - Open to students receiving a Federal Pell Grant during the term of their study abroad program. Please check the website for more details.
  • Gilman-McCain Scholarship – The U.S. Department of State’s Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards for undergraduate child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application (including Air Force, Air Force Reserve, Air National Guard, Army, Army National Guard, Army Reserve, Coast Guard, Coast Guard Reserve, Marine Corps, Marine Corps Reserve, Navy, Navy Reserve, Space Force, NOAA Commissioned Corps, and USPHS Commissioned Corps) to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs.
  • Diverse International Women of Color – Study abroad scholarships for women of color.
  • Diversity Abroad Overseas Ambassador – The Overseas Ambassador Program is an initiative created for current students or recent graduates who are planning to study, intern, volunteer or teach abroad.
  • Going Scholarship – Going encourages all higher education students to check their scholarship eligibility and apply!
  • Fund for Education Abroad – The mission of the Fund for Education Abroad (FEA) is to provide scholarships and ongoing support to students who are underrepresented among the U.S. study abroad population.
  • Scholarships Office - The Scholarships Office at Sacramento State is dedicated to supporting students by offering a wide variety of institutional and community scholarships. 

Directories for Study Abroad Scholarships

https://www.iie.org/Programs

https://www.goabroad.com/scholarships-abroad

https://www.studyabroad.com/study-abroad-scholarships

Withdrawal and Refund Policies

Students may withdraw from the program at any time before the program begins.  To withdraw from a program, you must submit a request in writing to the program coordinator stating your decision to withdraw from their program. You are responsible for any expenses incurred on your behalf until the date that the withdrawal form has been received.

Refunds based on the following withdrawal schedule:

Timeline of Student Withdrawal Refund Refund
90 – 60 days prior to start date Forfeit 50% of amount paid. Students are responsible for the total amount that has already been spent on the student’s behalf such as admission fees, transportation, meals, accommodation, tours, etc.
59 – 30 calendar days prior to start date Forfeit 75% of amount paid.  Students are responsible for the total amount that has already been spent on the student’s behalf such as admission fees, transportation, meals, accommodation, tours, etc. 
Less than 29 days prior to start date and after program commences No refund

Once the program has started, all fees are non-refundable. If a participant chooses not to participate in a program activity (such as a field trip, excursion, cultural event, included meals, etc.), no portion of the unutilized program fee will be refunded.

If a participant receiving financial aid withdraws from a faculty-led program, the participant must contact their Financial Aid Coordinator immediately, as withdrawal may affect the participant’s financial aid disbursement.

Unfortunately, faculty-led courses may be canceled if enrollment is insufficient to provide appropriate instruction or if contracts with service providers are incomplete before the start of the course registration. If a program is cancelled, 100% of the students’ payments will be refunded. However, Sac State is not responsible for refunding any personal expenses (e.g. flights, spending money, etc.) if the program is canceled for any reason.

Note: Participants are responsible for booking and purchasing their flights. We suggest that at the time of purchase, participants should insure their flights against trip disruption and/ or cancellation or have fully refundable tickets.

Travel Documents

You must have a valid U.S. Passport to enter and leave most foreign countries.

Sacramento State offers passport services to students and community members at The Passport Place located in the University Library, room 1001 (in the Library breezeway). For information, please visit The Passport Place website. Additional Passport Information: Visit the U.S. Department of State’s website or call the customer service line at (877) 487-2778.

You may also need to obtain a travel visa for the country you are visiting. To determine if a travel visa is needed for the country you will be visiting, go to the U.S. Department of State’s website. Enter the country you will be visiting in the search box, “Learn about your destination.”

Note: Starting in 2024, U.S. citizens will need to request a travel authorization to travel to Europe.

Health & Safety

At Sacramento State, the health and safety of our students and university personnel is paramount, and we carefully examine all travel warnings to determine if and how the warning could impact the safety of participants in our programs.

  • If a program is cancelled, 100% of the students’ payments will be refunded.
  • Vaccinations are required for study abroad participation, and students must show proof of vaccination. While the CSU allows for exemptions as outlined in the CSU vaccine announcement, students must understand that since study abroad is a voluntary activity, students are required to be fully vaccinated regardless of the CSU exemption that they have been granted.
  • For any university-related travel, travelers for all programs should monitor how the global health situation develops. At the time of purchase, participants should insure their flights against trip disruption and/or cancellation or have fully refundable tickets.
  • Students preparing for any future programs abroad should consult the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and U.S. Department of State for ongoing recommendations.

Vaccinations 

You should check the following websites for health advisories/vaccination recommendations, as well as general guidance on health issues such as safe food and water precautions for the country you are visiting.

Travel Insurance 

Participants in any Sacramento State Study Abroad program will be granted (prior to departure from Sacramento) travel insurance covering bodily injury and death of the participants in the amounts listed below (included in the program price). Emergency evacuation and repatriation will also be covered in the insurance plan, and the insured will be covered from point of departure to point of return.

Minimum coverage amounts required are:

  • Accident & Illness medical expenses: $50,00 per incident (at least 80% of eligible expenses)
  • Emergency evacuation/repatriation: $10,000
  • Maximum deductible: $500

Pre-departure Orientation 

Before you leave on your trip, the California State University system requires you to attend a pre-departure orientation.

The pre-departure orientation is a critical part to ensure students’ safety, health, and satisfaction while abroad.

Some of the topics covered will include:

  • Cultural orientation
  • Basic safety measures/precautions
  • Information on health concerns and risks
  • How to handle money
  • What to take on the trip
  • How to get most out of the experience
  • Legal issues of concern
  • Student conduct

Student Conduct 

You are responsible for your conduct as well as how it reflects on the Travel Study Program, the CSU, the State of California, and the United States.

Misconduct by one can result in the loss of opportunities for many. Therefore, it is important for you to learn and follow your host country’s standards of good conduct.

As a Hornet abroad, you are expected to:

  • Complete and submit the Study Abroad Application.
  • Research the country to be visited and be respectful, mindful of dress codes, and/or learn the local customs and laws.
  • Obtain all necessary immunizations and prescriptions.
  • Understand and comply with the laws of the host country
  • Hold the University blameless and not responsible for any liability or consequence caused by your violation of the law.
  • Discuss with family members/friends your study abroad plans and let them know what your travel plans are.
  • Leave a detailed itinerary and the numbers or copies of your passport or other citizenship documents with a friend or relative in the U.S.
  • Avoid all illegal drugs and excessive consumption of alcohol.
  • Inform program staff of your whereabouts and well-being.
  • Contact program staff, law enforcement officials, and the University in case of serious illness, accident, injury, or significant violation of policies or regulations.
  • Understand and comply with the terms of participation, Hornet honor code, and emergency procedures of the program.
  • Be an active and engaged participant in all academic and course activities associated with the program, within reason and barring any illness or injury.

Hornet Honor Code

As proud members and representatives of the Sacramento State Hornet community, we commit ourselves to actively promoting honesty, integrity, respect and care for every person, ensuring a welcoming campus environment, and striving to help every member of our Hornet family feel a strong sense of belonging. As Hornets, we will:

  1. Promote an inclusive campus and community.
  2. Listen and respect each other’s thoughts, interests, and views.
  3. Value diversity and learn from one another.
  4. Engage daily with mutual trust, care, and integrity.
  5. Support a culture of honor and adhere to campus policies for honesty, ethics, and conduct.
  6. Be proud to be Sac State Hornets.

Program Evaluation

Please complete your program evaluation. You will receive an email reminder from CCE at the end of the program asking you to complete the survey. Your feedback is very important as we review all surveys and compile data on student feedback to make improvements to our programs.

Global Resources 

Interested in a semester or yearlong program? Visit the International Programs & Global Engagement (IPGE) office for additional Study Abroad opportunities.

Below are some resources for students to have international experiences after graduating from Sac State.

Teach/Volunteer
Re-entry Resources, Events & Workshops
Staying Connected Globally on Campus

Emergency Preparedness and Response

Travel Registration 

You should register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate through the U.S. Department of State’s website. The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) is a free service to allow U.S. citizens and nationals traveling and living abroad to enroll their trip with the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate.

Other Helpful Links 

What the State Department Can and Can’t Do In A Crisis

Travel Advisories

Related Links