Frequently Asked Questions
Below are answers to some questions we commonly hear about our programs. If you can’t find the answer below, don’t hesitate to contact us at info@diversityglobal.org!
Will credit be available for these courses?
The content of the courses we offer during our semester programs is roughly equivalent to 3-4 semester hours for each core foreign language module and roughly 3 semester hours for the community engagement courses. Other courses we offer in conjunction with local universities generally transfer credit-for-credit (eg. a 3-credit course at one of our partner universities in a foreign country is equivalent to three semester credits in the U.S., as they operate on the same semester/contact-hour system).We collaborate with top-caliber, internationally-respected institutions in host countries, ensuring the administration of academic courses is of the highest quality. However, in the end, credit transfers must be arranged through each student’s respective home university. Diversity Global will provide any documentation (including transcripts) necessary to home universities and will work with study abroad offices to assist students in transferring credit.
NOTE: It is best to get credits approved before taking a trip, rather than waiting until returning to start the process.
What will the schedule be like once I arrive in the host country?
Much of this will depend on the specific group of students that come down, as well as the type of program (short-term vs. semester-length), but the trip will begin with students’ arrival to the airport in the host country, where there will be an orientation about the local culture, as well as a basic introduction to public transportation, food, all the basics of life in the host country. Then the group will make its way to the site, where students will get acclimated with their living spaces and get a chance to see the local attractions and the town. On the next Monday, classes will begin. Generally, students will have class all morning on Monday through Thursday, and then have a break of a few hours before going to their community service projects, which will generally be somewhere in the vicinity of the program headquarters. Once that portion of the day is done, students are free to relax and enjoy themselves and the country. There is a lot to get into in our program locations! On Friday through Sunday, there will generally be an organized excursion (the countries we work in have a ton to see and do!) mixed in with a big chunk of free time for students to see and do what they please! The will be a whole new world to explore!
Note: Not all programs will have Fridays without class. This will depend on the specific courses each student desires to take, and schedule and course offerings in a given semester.
What does the program cost include?
Everything, with the exception of airfare to/from the U.S. (except for the Cuba and South Africa programs, where a flight from Miami/Washington is included) and discretionary spending money, is included in the program cost. The fee includes program costs, in-country transportation to and from airports in the host country, lodging costs, food costs (two meals a day during the week), course and administrative fees, visa fees, student ID, all excursions (there will be anywhere from 3 to 5 or more excursions to different parts of the country), and travel insurance (and other miscellaneous types of insurance). We keep our programs as fee-simple and devoid of hidden costs as possible. Just book the flight, and we handle the rest!
Are there any financing options available?
Without a doubt, there are a number of financing options out there for study abroad programs. We at Diversity Global strive to make study abroad more affordable and accessible, and we will offer any help we can in identifying scholarships, grants, and loans to help you finance this wonderful experience. It is important to remember though that in the end, study abroad is an investment with some very high returns, both tangible and intangible.
In addition, in many cases, students can apply their federal and/or institutional financial aid to our programs (this depends on what types of aid a student receives and other factors). We may be able to help you get answers to these questions, but the decision in most cases lies with your financial aid and/or study abroad offices.
What will living arrangements be like?
We generally give students two choices, depending on their comfort levels. The first choice is to stay at a small hotel/apartment complex. This option allows students to have guaranteed access to Internet, cable TV, and a fan/air conditioning, although meals may or may not be included. The option that we recommend, for those desiring a more immersive, impactful experience, is to stay with a local host family. This allows students to work on their foreign language skills, as well as to experience in a deeper way the true culture of the host country, and possibly to even establish new extended family there! Host families are carefully selected, and are required to have a separate bedroom and certain amenities in the house for the comfort of foreign students. We can also work with students who have certain dietary restrictions.
Will credit be available for these courses?
The content of the courses we offer during our semester programs is roughly equivalent to 3-4 semester hours for each core foreign language module and roughly 3 semester hours for the community engagement courses. Other courses we offer in conjunction with local universities generally transfer credit-for-credit (eg. a 3-credit course at one of our partner universities in a foreign country is equivalent to three semester credits in the U.S., as they operate on the same semester/contact-hour system).We collaborate with top-caliber, internationally-respected institutions in host countries, ensuring the administration of academic courses is of the highest quality. However, in the end, credit transfers must be arranged through each student’s respective home university. Diversity Global will provide any documentation (including transcripts) necessary to home universities and will work with study abroad offices to assist students in transferring credit.
NOTE: It is best to get credits approved before taking a trip, rather than waiting until returning to start the process.
What will the schedule be like once I arrive in the host country?
Much of this will depend on the specific group of students that come down, as well as the type of program (short-term vs. semester-length), but the trip will begin with students’ arrival to the airport in the host country, where there will be an orientation about the local culture, as well as a basic introduction to public transportation, food, all the basics of life in the host country. Then the group will make its way to the site, where students will get acclimated with their living spaces and get a chance to see the local attractions and the town. On the next Monday, classes will begin. Generally, students will have class all morning on Monday through Thursday, and then have a break of a few hours before going to their community service projects, which will generally be somewhere in the vicinity of the program headquarters. Once that portion of the day is done, students are free to relax and enjoy themselves and the country. There is a lot to get into in our program locations! On Friday through Sunday, there will generally be an organized excursion (the countries we work in have a ton to see and do!) mixed in with a big chunk of free time for students to see and do what they please! The will be a whole new world to explore!
Note: Not all programs will have Fridays without class. This will depend on the specific courses each student desires to take, and schedule and course offerings in a given semester.
What does the program cost include?
Everything, with the exception of airfare to/from the U.S. (except for the Cuba and South Africa programs, where a flight from Miami/Washington is included) and discretionary spending money, is included in the program cost. The fee includes program costs, in-country transportation to and from airports in the host country, lodging costs, food costs (two meals a day during the week), course and administrative fees, visa fees, student ID, all excursions (there will be anywhere from 3 to 5 or more excursions to different parts of the country), and travel insurance (and other miscellaneous types of insurance). We keep our programs as fee-simple and devoid of hidden costs as possible. Just book the flight, and we handle the rest!
Are there any financing options available?
Without a doubt, there are a number of financing options out there for study abroad programs. We at Diversity Global strive to make study abroad more affordable and accessible, and we will offer any help we can in identifying scholarships, grants, and loans to help you finance this wonderful experience. It is important to remember though that in the end, study abroad is an investment with some very high returns, both tangible and intangible.
In addition, in many cases, students can apply their federal and/or institutional financial aid to our programs (this depends on what types of aid a student receives and other factors). We may be able to help you get answers to these questions, but the decision in most cases lies with your financial aid and/or study abroad offices.
What will living arrangements be like?
We generally give students two choices, depending on their comfort levels. The first choice is to stay at a small hotel/apartment complex. This option allows students to have guaranteed access to Internet, cable TV, and a fan/air conditioning, although meals may or may not be included. The option that we recommend, for those desiring a more immersive, impactful experience, is to stay with a local host family. This allows students to work on their foreign language skills, as well as to experience in a deeper way the true culture of the host country, and possibly to even establish new extended family there! Host families are carefully selected, and are required to have a separate bedroom and certain amenities in the house for the comfort of foreign students. We can also work with students who have certain dietary restrictions.