Education Abroad

Study Abroad Terms to Know

Term	Definition
Application Fee	A required fee that is non-refundable submitted with a study abroad application.
Department Chair	A faculty member is assigned by the dean to manage a department. For study abroad, they are able to provide course approval for a student's STAB form. A student must go to the department chair that matches the dept. of the class they want to be approved, not the dept. chair of their major. Ex. A Marketing major must ask the Philosophy dept. chair to approve a Philosophy class. Find Department Chairs for Study Abroad Course Approvals.
Gilman Scholarship Program	The U.S. Department of State’s Gilman Scholarship is an undergraduate scholarship program for U.S. citizens of limited financial means to enable them to study or intern abroad. The program provides awards of up to $5,000 for students who are U.S. citizens, Federal Pell Grant recipients, and studying at undergraduate level at a two or four-year institution. There are two submission deadlines every year: March and October. Learn More About the U.S. Department of State’s Gilman Scholarship Program
Gilman-McCain Scholarship	The Gilman-McCain Scholarship provides awards of $5,000 for child and spousal dependents of active or activated United States military personnel during the time of application to study or intern abroad on credit-bearing programs. Applicants must be recipients of any type of Title IV federal financial aid during the time of application or provide proof that they will be receiving Title IV federal financial aid during their study abroad program or internship. There are two deadlines every year: March and August. Learn More About the Gilman-McCain Scholarship for Military Dependents Studying Abroad.
Heritage Student	A student who studies abroad in a location that is linked in some way (for example, linguistically, culturally, historically) to his/her family or cultural background.
Homestay	Private housing hosted by a local family that often includes a private or shared bedroom, meals, and laundry. Homestay experiences usually provide the greatest immersion in the host language and culture, giving students firsthand experience with family life in the host culture and the opportunity to use the host language in an informal setting.
Host Institution/Host School	The institution that an education abroad student attends while abroad.
Non-Xavier Sponsored Program	A semester program that is not approved by Xavier, meaning it is not listed on Xavier’s study abroad website or a non-faculty led study abroad program held during the summer, spring break, or winter break. A Xavier Petition is required for programs that run during the Fall/Spring semesters. Tuition is paid directly to the international institution.
Peer Advisor	A student, who usually has studied abroad, that is trained to help students by answering questions about the study abroad application and experience.
Program Provider	An institution or organization that offers education abroad program services to students from a variety of institutions. A program provider may be a college or university, a nonprofit organization, a for-profit business, or a consortium.
Service-learning	Programs that are a unique blend of studying and volunteering abroad. Through these types of programs, participants will learn through their volunteer work and have supplementary classes to help them understand the industry they're working in. Academic credit will also be earned. Service-learning programs are not just volunteering or working but also have an academic aspect.
Short Term Program	A study abroad program that lasts eight weeks or less. At Xavier University that includes summer, spring break and winter break programs.
STAB Form	The Study Abroad Approval (STAB) form is the official form to receive credit for your study abroad experience. All students who study abroad must complete the STAB form. Access Instructions for Completing the Study Abroad Approval (STAB) Form.
STEP	The Smart Traveler Enrollment Program is a free service that allows U.S. citizens traveling or living abroad to receive the latest security updates from the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. We recommend that any Xavier student studying abroad enroll.
Study abroad program	Any international program that bears academic credit. This includes summer, winter break, spring break, and semester programs.
TES	Transfer Evaluation System. Can be used to search for courses at another institution to see how they will be evaluated and counted here at Xavier University.
Visa	An official document that allows the bearer to legally enter a foreign country. The visa is usually stamped or glued into the bearer’s passport. Not every student who studies abroad needs a visa. Whether a student needs a visa depends on the duration and location of their program and their citizenship.
Xavier Sponsored Semester	A Xavier-approved study abroad program held during a fall semester, spring semester, or academic year. These programs are coordinated by another US institution or organization (such as USAC, Arcos Learning Abroad, AIFS, etc.) that provides extensive service and support. Students participating in a Xavier-approved semester program will pay tuition directly to Xavier, and if applicable the additional level cost. Xavier scholarships, Federal aid, and outside scholarships will apply to semester study abroad experiences.
Xavier Direct Exchange Program	These semester programs allow students to study at a foreign university with which Xavier has a special agreement. Students participating in a direct exchange program will pay tuition directly to Xavier, and if applicable the additional level cost. Xavier scholarships, Federal aid, and outside scholarships will apply to semester study abroad experiences.
Xavier Faculty-Led Program	Short-term programs led by Xavier faculty where students can earn three to twelve credit hours during summer, spring, and winter breaks. Program duration is anywhere between ten days to six weeks. Some programs are major-specific, while others offer core curriculum courses for any major to participate. Students will pay tuition directly to Xavier.