Study abroad is intended to build upon and enhance students’ educational experiences. For this reason, program choices will be carefully reviewed with each student to ensure a good fit between academics and destination.
Applications from all students, both Fairfield and non-Fairfield, will be considered, although students may not always receive approval for their desired program. Students must be in good standing with their home institution at the time of application and program start date. Applications submitted by students with a disciplinary history will be considered on a case-by-case basis. The minimum GPA for approval is 2.8, although students with a GPA lower than 2.8 can meet with a Study Abroad Advisor to discuss possible options.
All students committed/enrolled in a Fairfield University-approved study abroad program must follow the Fairfield University International Travel Policy, which requires all students to book their flights through the University's designated travel agency. There are no exceptions to this policy. Should students plan to travel before the start of the program, they must arrange their travel so they arrive at the designated airport, on the designated program start date and within the specified arrival time. Early or late arrivals are permitted.
Fairfield University administers programs in Aix-en-Provence, France; Brisbane and Sydney, Australia; Florence, Italy; Galway, Ireland; London, England, Madrid and Barcelona, Spain. Non-Fairfield students may apply to any one of these programs, pending approval from their home institution. All students participating in Center programs receive Fairfield credit and grades for the term. These grades will be posted to the students’ Fairfield transcripts. Fairfield University may not edit, delete, or change the grade notations on a foreign university transcript.
While studying abroad, Fairfield University academic and student conduct policies remain in effect. Participants are expected to follow and adhere to these policies as enumerated in the Undergraduate Catalog and Student Handbook. From time to time deviations from these published documents may be required due to differences in local law, practice, or custom abroad.
Students who violate the code of conduct while abroad will be required to meet with staff from the Dean of Students Office by phone or video call to address the violation.
Students participating in a Fairfield Center or Fairfield Select program are expected to participate in all scheduled programming events. Failure to participate will result in a financial penalty after a review is conducted of the expenses that were incurred on the student’s behalf.
Fairfield students: These charges will be applied directly to the student’s University bill and can be paid online through the Office of the Bursar.
Non-Fairfield students: Students will be provided with an invoice of the charges and payment instructions. Failure to submit this payment will result in a hold on the student’s account. Until the hold is removed, the official transcript will not be released to the student or their home institution.
The Family Rights and Privacy Act of 1974 (FERPA) provides confidentiality of student educational records at Fairfield University. Fairfield University may not disclose information in a student’s educational records to anyone without the permission of the student, unless disclosure is permitted by an exception outlined in FERPA, 20 U.S.C.A., Sec. 1232 et seq. By completing and signing the attached form, you the student are granting permission to Fairfield University officials to disclose and/or discuss the information authorized by the student on their FERPA Release form. Students are not required to submit a FERPA form; it is the student's discretion to decide whether or not they want to provide Fairfield University with this information.
Students who choose to complete the FERPA Release Form must complete the FERPA Release questionnaire in their StudioAbroad application following approval to study abroad. For students who elect not to complete the FERPA Release Form, Fairfield University and the Office of Study Abroad will be unable to relay certain information to parents or guardians. In cases of emergency abroad, including hospitalization and student status during national emergencies, Fairfield University and the Office of Study Abroad may release necessary information to parents or guardians.
The Americans with Disabilities Act and Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act do not apply to foreign institutions. Though many of our partners will do their best to accommodate students’ needs, please know that there are times when accommodations cannot always be made.
We invite all students to self-disclose to Global Fairfield and their home university throughout the application process. Global Fairfield will work with the students to identify the programs and services that best meet their individual needs and provide them with comparable services while abroad. Students who wish to disclose should first identify themselves to their home institution to discuss their individual needs and to request their paperwork be forwarded to the Office of Global Fairfield at Fairfield University. The student should then request a meeting or call with their Global Fairfield study abroad advisor to discuss their needs. Global Fairfield will work closely with the student, their home institution, and with the institution overseas to see if accommodations can be met and to assist with the next steps.
If the student requires a reasonable accommodation or has concerns about participation in any Travel Program activities, the student agrees to provide adequate notice to Global Fairfield in advance of their commitment deadline in writing. The student also agrees to provide a complete and detailed written description, with supporting documentation as necessary, concerning the accommodation being requested. Although many countries are becoming more aware of the needs of people with disabilities, not all countries have similar laws and accessible infrastructure and services. Global Fairfield will make efforts to assist students with finding reasonable accommodations that will not fundamentally alter the nature of a course or program of study or present an undue hardship for either Fairfield University or the Host Institution. If the student agrees to participate in the Program, the student also agrees to participate safely in all Travel Program components with or without reasonable accommodation.
Students who choose to self-disclose after the deposit deadline are advised that not all hosting partners can accommodate all disabilities. Should a student choose to self-disclose after the deposit deadline, Global Fairfield will work with all parties and make every effort to accommodate the student’s needs but cannot guarantee that the host institution will be able to meet those needs. In this event, the host institution may withdraw their acceptance of the student. The cancellation policy will still be applicable in this situation. If Global Fairfield is not able to find an alternate program that is still accepting applications and which meets the students’ academic and disability needs the student will be withdrawn from study abroad or advised to study abroad in the following term, where applicable.
Students who choose not to self-disclose risk the ability to receive disability support while abroad. They may be dismissed from the program at the discretion of the host university if the institution determines that they cannot provide support services essential to the student’s completion of the program. The withdrawal policy will still be applicable in this situation.
Fairfield University provides all students studying abroad with international medical and emergency insurance coverage for their study abroad program dates. Federal law requires all students to maintain domestic year-round coverage in the U.S., even while the student is studying abroad. This means that students should remain enrolled on the policy of their parent or guardian, Fairfield’s Gallagher Student Health Insurance, or their home university domestic coverage plan while on their program abroad.
Students enrolled in any Global Fairfield program will automatically be enrolled in CISI Health Insurance from the start date to the end date of your study abroad program. This insurance program is included in the program fee, and there is no additional cost. This coverage does not replace your primary insurance but does provide extensive medical and emergency coverage.
If you have any concerns about the financial impact if your program abroad will be canceled prior to departure or while abroad, you can enroll in Cancel for any Reason (CFAR) or Interrupt for any Reason (IFAR) travel insurance. These plans can help protect your prepaid costs if you are forced to cancel or interrupt your travel for any reason Pre-paid costs might include a VISA application fee, books, supplies, travel arrangements or activities while in country, or airfare to your study abroad location.
Through our partnership with Cultural Insurance Services International, we have identified World Trip Protector Plans offered by Travel Insured International as a provider with options that may be of benefit for you. To learn more about these travel protection plans or request a quote, please visit https://www.culturalinsurance.com/academic-trip-protector-insurance-program.asp
Fairfield University does not endorse any specific carrier and purchase of CFAR insurance is not required Global Fairfield strongly encourages students and their families to research travel protection options and consider purchasing a plan in order to limit the financial impact should you need to cancel your program abroad.
The Office of Study Abroad requires all students to have a cell phone with an international call and data plan that works without Wi-Fi. Students are required to register their international cell phone number on their Fairfield University study abroad application and with their host institution within two days of arrival to their program. Failure to have a working cell phone abroad with a data plan will result in, first, a warning and then, dismissal from the program.
The Office of Study Abroad requires that all students studying abroad must have access to a credit card during their time abroad for safety purposes and in case of emergency. Credit cards may be in the name of a parent or guardian as long as the student is authorized to use the card. Many study abroad locations require that students have their own bank account, not attached to their parents or guardians.
All students studying abroad are required to have a passport that is valid for at least six months after their program end date. Some countries may require students to apply for a visa which will allow the student to enter, leave, and/or stay in a specific country for a designated amount of time.
Fairfield University reserves the right to make cancellations, changes, or substitutions in cases of emergency or changed conditions. Should Fairfield University cancel a program before departure, any program fees paid to Fairfield University would be reimbursed. Fairfield University is not responsible for non-Fairfield University billed expenses such as visas, flights, etc. if the program is canceled.
Cancellation:
A student may cancel their program participation up to their planned departure. Should a student decide to cancel, the student may still be assessed any portion of the costs non-recoverable to Fairfield University up to and including all tuition, housing, board, and/or any programming fees for the full length of the program in which they are enrolled. This will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
Students wishing to insure against the financial impact of an interruption or cancellation of an abroad program should opt for Cancel for any Reason (CFAR) or Interrupt for any Reason (IFAR) travel insurance.
Withdrawal
A student may request to withdraw from their program at any point after departure although Fairfield is not required to approve requests. All requests must be received in writing to the Global Fairfield account.
If Fairfield University authorizes a withdrawal, Fairfield University cannot guarantee the completion of courses interrupted by an early return or guarantee that any credits, grades, or transcripts will be awarded or that any portion of the program costs will be refunded.
Fairfield University is not responsible for personal expenses, visas, airfare, books, personal travel, incidentals, transportation costs, etc. not directly paid by Fairfield University or included in the published program fees.
Medical and Personal Withdrawals:
Per the medical insurance provider, a student's request for a medical withdrawal must be verified by our medical insurance provider before departure from the program for support and benefits to apply. If the student complies with the medical verification, Fairfield University and the hosting University/partner will review the request and respond accordingly. If the student does not comply with the medical verification and withdraws from the program without approval no credit or transcript will be awarded and no program fees will be refunded. All decisions are final.
If a student requests a personal withdrawal, Fairfield University will require verification and may request additional documentation to approve the withdrawal. If a student does not comply with the request for verification and withdraws from the program without approval, no credit or transcript will be awarded and no program fees will be refunded.
Students participating in a Fairfield Center or Fairfield Select program are expected to participate in all scheduled programming events. Failure to participate will result in a financial penalty after a review is conducted of the expenses that were incurred on the student’s behalf.
Fairfield students: These charges will be applied directly to the student’s University bill and can be paid online through the Office of the Bursar.
Non-Fairfield students: Students will be provided with an invoice of the charges and payment instructions. Failure to submit this payment will result in a hold on the student’s account. Until the hold is removed, the official transcript will not be released to the student or their home institution.
For academic grievances, the modified procedure for informal resolution is as follows.
Students will be unable to file a formal grievance about their grades if the program does not offer an appeal process.
Short-term programs in the January Intersession, spring break, and summer are available to non-Fairfield students. These programs are offered in various disciplines.
This manual is a resource for administrators, faculty, and staff in the review and approval requirements for non-academic international travel as well as the planning and preparing for health and safety issues that may arise in the context of students participating in international education or travel programs.
This faculty handbook is intended for Group Leaders who accompany and teach students abroad. It is designed to provide them with general assistance as they develop and eventually lead a Fairfield University Short-term Study Abroad Program. In the handbook, they will find information outlining the responsibilities of both the faculty and Global Fairfield, travel guidelines, suggestions for dealing with behavioral problems, procedures to follow in the event of an emergency, and other important topics.
Please prepare a proposal for international travel using the International Travel and Program Proposal specific to the program you are leading. The groundwork for program development and logistics should be well underway before submission of a proposal. Program proposals that have the support of the sponsoring Fairfield University department Director will be reviewed by the Committee for final approval.
Please prepare a proposal for international travel using the Faculty-Led Program Proposal. The groundwork for program development and logistics should be well underway before submission of a proposal. Program proposals that have the support of the chair(s) and dean(s) of the sponsoring Fairfield University department(s) and college(s) will be reviewed by the Faculty Committee on Study Abroad for approval.
Once a program is approved, the Program Leader and Global Fairfield will work together to process and distribute the forms below.
