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Cross-Cultural/Global Opportunities (GO) Programs

Policies and Procedures


Susquehanna University offers a wide range of programs around the world to suit student interests, fields of study and modern language preparation. The Global Opportunities (GO) programs fit into several categories: GO Long, GO Short, GO Your Way, and GO Virtual Exchange. Most students choose an approved Susquehanna GO Short or GO Long program. There are many GO Short programs led by Susquehanna faculty and staff. They generally last two to four weeks during winter or summer break. GO Long programs are approved semester programs that are administered by Susquehanna University or in close cooperation with study-away partners. GO Your Way programs offer an alternative for students wanting to attend a non-SU administered program over Summer or Winter Break. GO Virtual Exchange courses are offered on campus during the regular semester or full summer session. Other proposed options that are consistent with the policies below may be considered.

At a minimum, to be eligible, students must be in good academic standing and may not select a travel-based GO program if they are on disciplinary probation. Susquehanna students normally do not study away before they have completed three semesters on campus. Specific programs may have additional requirements. Semester and short-term programs administered by Susquehanna University require that students sign a statement of responsibility upon acceptance into the program. By signing, participants agree that if they withdraw from the program, any Susquehanna financial aid applied to their account will be withdrawn, and they will still be billed for costs that have been incurred for them, such as airfare, program housing, etc. and they will be billed a withdrawal fee. This may result in responsibility for the full cost of the program, regardless of the amount of aid they may have initially been awarded.

Students who receive need-based aid to fulfill the cross-cultural requirement on a short-term program will see a reduction in Susquehanna aid available for subsequent semester study away. Students who have received Susquehanna aid for a semester-length program will not be eligible for need-based aid to participate in subsequent short-term programs.

Susquehanna University accepts study-away credit for transfer only from programs covered in these policies. The university reserves the right to change these policies without notice.

Cross-Cultural Requirements


The Susquehanna University cross-cultural requirement includes three course components: preparation, the cross-cultural experience and reflection. The structure of these components may vary between different GO options. Students accepted to a GO program are automatically registered in all course sections or components (OFFP, OFFC or OFFS, and OFFR; or GOEX) required for participation.

Semester Programs (GO Long)


Susquehanna GO Long programs are found on the Susquehanna study away Web page. Students submit applications for all semester programs to the Office of Global Programs by the deadlines specified on this site. Approval for courses not already on the pre-approved course list to fulfill major, minor or central curriculum requirements must be secured in advance Students also must complete additional application forms, pass the appropriate GO preparatory course and attend additional required meetings before leaving campus.

Students will be charged Susquehanna University tuition, activity, health and study-away administrative fees during the semester in which they study off campus in an approved Susquehanna GO Long program. Students will be billed by Susquehanna University for the study away program room fee (and board when applicable). Susquehanna tuition covers only the basic tuition costs of study away programs. Some programs have additional fees, including some additional course fees, which are not covered by SU tuition and which will be billed directly to the student by the program. In addition, each student may, upon acceptance to a study-away program, be required to pay a deposit directly to the program. In order for the student to participate in study away, the university requires that all accounts be current.

Students in Susquehanna GO Long study-away programs who are U.S. citizens or permanent residents will be eligible for most forms of financial aid and scholarships, ordinarily limited to one semester of off-campus study. To access need-based financial aid for off-campus study, students must:

  • Complete the standard financial aid application, meeting university deadlines;

  • Meet or exceed the required grade point average and satisfactory academic progress requirements for renewal of scholarship assistance and/or need-based financial aid.

Most forms of Susquehanna-sponsored scholarship assistance will continue to be available to students in approved Susquehanna GO Long programs. Exceptions include all tuition exchange and tuition remission awards, which may only be used for study in Susquehanna-administered study-away programs, including SWSB London and all “SU in” designated programs (SU in Prague: Charles University, SU in China: Macau, SU in New Zealand: University of Waikato, etc.).

Occasionally students may find that for specific academic reasons they prefer to study off campus at a program not on the list of approved Susquehanna GO Long programs. Some students may choose to spend a second semester on a Susquehanna GO Long program. In either case, no Susquehanna aid is available; however, state and federal aid may continue to be available. Credit may only be transferred from these programs for courses pre-approved in advance. Fees vary by program, and there is an additional administrative fee.

Short-Term Programs (GO Short)


Students planning short-term study away typically choose from the wide variety of Susquehanna GO Short programs (list available on the Susquehanna study away Web page and in the Special Programs section of the catalog).

Students are not permitted to participate in online courses during the duration of the travel portion of the GO Short program.

Need-based aid may be available for students attending a Susquehanna GO Short program to fulfill the Cross-Cultural requirement. To access need-based financial aid for off-campus study, students must:

  • Complete the standard financial aid application, meeting university deadlines;

  • Meet or exceed the required grade point average and satisfactory academic progress requirements for renewal of scholarship assistance and/or need-based financial aid.

  • NOTE: Most forms of Susquehanna-sponsored scholarship assistance (non-need-based aid) are not available to students on Susquehanna GO Short programs because these programs take place outside the traditional academic calendar.

Students will be charged specific program fees for participation in any Susquehanna GO Short program. These fees vary according to the location, duration and type of program. In order for the student to participate in study away, the university requires that all accounts be current.

Students must complete required paperwork and must provide a copy of their passport information page by the posted deadlines or they will be dropped from the program and charged for any applicable withdrawal fees.

Short-Term Programs (GO Your Way)


Students may apply by the posted deadlines for approval to participate in a non-SU short-term study away program or a self-designed cross-cultural experience that can count for the cross-cultural requirement during winter or summer break. Examples include international internships, volunteer service, independent study in a cross-cultural setting and participation in a non-SU short-term study away program. Students selecting a program in which they will earn academic credit must complete the GO Transfer course pre-approval process described above in the GO Long section. Students also must pass the appropriate GO preparatory course, as well as complete additional application materials and required waiver and other forms before leaving campus. Guidelines for proposing a self-designed experience are available in the Global Opportunities Program Office.

Limited need-based aid may be available to attend non-SU short-term programs. To access need-based financial aid for off-campus study, students must:

  • Complete the standard financial aid application, meeting university deadlines;

  • Meet or exceed the required grade point average and satisfactory academic progress requirements for renewal of scholarship assistance and/or need-based financial aid.

  • NOTE: Most forms of SU-sponsored scholarship assistance (non-need-based aid) are not available to students on SU GO Short programs because these programs take place outside the traditional academic calendar.

GO Your Way students are billed a study-away administrative fee. Most students participating in non-SU GO Your Way programs will be billed for GO Your Way fees by Susquehanna. Students on some GO Your Way programs will pay all deposits and fees directly to that program, as indicated in their acceptance letter. Students completing self-designed cross-cultural experiences pay all expenses directly as needed.

GO Virtual Exchange (GOEX)


Virtual exchange courses are offered on campus during the regular semester or full summer session and are available by application to students with Junior or Senior status.

Students applying to a virtual exchange 4-SH course will choose a GOEX section listed on the Susquehanna study away Web page (individual sections are not listed separately in the course catalog). Students are responsible for coordinating their academic schedule around the GO course as well as obtaining additional approval for course overload policies if applicable. GO courses will have additional required cultural immersion engagement outside of regular course times.

Students will be charged specific program fees for participation in a GO Virtual Exchange course. In order for the student to participate in the cross-cultural program, the university requires that all accounts be current.

Students taking the 4-SH course may have access to limited need-based aid. To access need-based financial aid for this purpose, students must:

  • Complete the standard financial aid application, meeting university deadlines;

  • Meet or exceed the required grade point average and satisfactory academic progress requirements for renewal of scholarship assistance and/or need-based financial aid.

NOTE: 4-SH summer session GO course are not eligible for institutional financial aid. Tuition remission/tuition exchange does not cover any virtual exchange charges. Students may utilize any eligible and available federal financial aid to pay for the cost of the virtual exchange course. They are not charged summer course fees but rather the virtual exchange course fee; summer virtual exchange courses are not eligible for Susquehanna need-based aid.

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