International Programs

In 2014-15, Loyola sent over 60 percent of its juniors to 24 different countries. The University sends students abroad through packaged programs in Accra, Alcalá, Athens, Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Cork, Glasgow, Leuven, Melbourne, Newcastle, Paris, Rome, and San Salvador; exchange programs in Amsterdam, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Koblenz, Madrid, Montpellier, Osaka, Santiago, and Singapore; affiliations in Accra, Berlin, Florence, and Rome; five Loyola summer programs and two non-Loyola summer programs; and a limited number of logistically-supported, non-Loyola programs.

In order to go abroad, a student must have a 2.750 cumulative QPA and be able to find 15 to 30 credits worth of needed academic work. Some programs require a 3.000 cumulative GPA. Students with a 2.500 can be considered for summer programs and study tours. Certain programs may require a higher cumulative QPA for consideration.

Students are required to complete all paperwork by the due date specified. In addition, students with a history of serious disciplinary problems cannot study abroad. Finally, one cannot attend a university abroad or a university in a city abroad where Loyola has a program except as a part of that program. Students will not be allowed to study abroad if they have not received prior approval from the Office of International Programs. The University does not recommend that students study abroad in their senior year due to unforeseeable academic complications such as course cancellation, late receipt of transcripts, or course failure-all of which can jeopardize graduation. Students will not be allowed to attend two consecutive semester programs abroad unless they secure approval for both programs when they apply for the first one.

In Loyola packaged programs and exchanges, students may use all institutional financial aid with the exception of the Federal Work-Study program. Loyola financial aid does not apply to summer programs, affiliations, and non-Loyola programs abroad. All grades from the Loyola programs, exchanges, and affiliations are transferred to Loyola and affect the student's cumulative average at the University. As a result, these students can earn Dean's List recognition (see Dean's List under Academic Standing  in Curriculum and Policies.)

Each program has a limited number of spaces available. Admission into some of these opportunities is competitive. Students interested in any of the opportunities listed below should contact the Office of International Programs at 410‑617‑2910 or visit, www.loyola.edu/department/internationalprograms.

Mission

The mission of Loyola University Maryland is to inspire students to learn, lead, and serve in a diverse and changing world. The University, therefore, has a special commitment to promote international education both on campus and abroad. The Jesuit mission is fundamentally associated with a global and open-minded vision that highly values and respects the rich cultural and spiritual diversity that characterizes human experience as a whole.

The Office of International Programs strives to serve this mission through its broad offering of study abroad opportunities and its persistent support of international activities on campus. Its programs combine some of the best academic offerings overseas with a wide range of service opportunities, while immersing students in other cultures. On campus, the office aims to promote a more diverse and international climate to Loyola students who, for different reasons, are unable to travel or study in a foreign country. Its main goal is to help students better understand and serve their world. It plays a most valuable role in Loyola's mission to address the central need for diversity and internationalization in modern education.

Loyola Programs

The University presently has single-semester or one-year programs in 16 cities: Accra, Alcalá, Atens, Auckland, Bangkok, Beijing, Cape Town, Copenhagen, Cork, Glasgow, Leuven, Melbourne, Newcastle, Paris, Rome, and San Salvador. While participating in these programs, students remain formally enrolled at Loyola University and pay tuition, room (except Paris), and fees to the University (see Fees  for more information).

Loyola programs vary in benefits, housing options, trips, inclusion of airline tickets, meals, etc. In addition, the benefits included in each program may vary from year to year. Applicants are encouraged to consult the Office of International Programs for more details on packaged benefits for each program before they apply to study abroad.

Loyola in Accra

Loyola offers a study abroad program in Accra, Ghana through a relationship with the Council on International Educational Exchange (CIEE). Students attend the University of Ghana in Legon, a large public university in the immediate suburbs of Accra. All courses are taught in English, and CIEE provides a full-time, on-site director and support staff.

Student housing is offered off-campus with host families who are carefully selected by CIEE and live within a 40-minute (or less) walk from the university, or on campus in residences with other international and Ghanaian students. The student residences are located near lecture halls, local cafeterias, and eateries. All students have a roommate.

This fall or spring semester program includes one round-trip airfare, tuition, room, field trips and excursions, required shots and medication (up to $600), and the student visa. The semester program fee is also waived for Loyola students. Meals (except in the case of homestay students) and local transportation (including to/from community service and internship sites) are not included in the program's cost.

Loyola in Alcalá

The city of Alcalá de Henares is located 30 kilometers northeast of Madrid on the Castilian Plateau. It is best known as the birthplace of Miguel de Cervantes, author of the celebrated Don Quixote. The city was the seat of the Spanish Renaissance in the sixteenth century. It was also the university hometown of Saint Ignatius of Loyola.

Loyola's program at the University of Alcalá de Henares is a fall or spring semester program that runs from late August to December or January to May. The fall program is offered in Spanish and is designed to best serve Spanish majors and minors (Intermediate Spanish II and SN 201  are prerequisites). It can also serve international business, English, and history majors. The spring program, originally designed for business majors, is offered mostly in English; however, students must take at least one course in Spanish.

The program includes round trip airfare, tuition, housing, some meals, emergency travel assistance, Spanish medical insurance, trips and special dinners. Loyola students live with families in a homestay in the city of Alcalá. A Spanish on-site director supervises the program, provides cultural excursions, and teaches a course in Spanish literature in the fall and Spanish culture in the spring.

Loyola in Athens

The American College of Greece is located in Athens, the largest city and capitol of Greece. Athens is also one of the world's oldest cities. Continuously inhabited for over 5,000 years, today Athens is home to 3.5 million people. A modern metropolis, it provides an unparalleled setting for educational opportunity and exploration.

The American College of Greece is the oldest and largest US accredited college or university in Europe, founded in 1875, by missionaries from Boston, Massachusetts. The American College of Greece is proud of its global outlook and reach. Everything on its beautiful campus has an international flavor: the American model of education applied in an international setting; the language of instruction (English); the curriculum, which is designed with global realities in mind; faculty with advanced degrees from universities around the globe. With 21 majors, 32 minors, and over 1,000 courses offered each year, ACG provides students with plenty of courses to choose from in business, fine arts, humanities, social sciences, communication.

Loyola students live with Greek and other international students in a residence complex a short walk from campus. Standard accommodations are based on two students sharing a bedroom in a furnished apartment. Meals are self-catered. A grocery store is conveniently located just down the block.

This is a fall or spring semester program. The program includes one round-trip airfare; tuition; housing; an orientation weekend in downtown Athens; program excursions; and onsite support.

Loyola in Auckland

Metro Auckland in northern New Zealand is a picturesque area of 1.2 million people. The City of Sails, as it is known, is located on the Hauraki Gulf and overlooks many small islands. New Zealand's countryside spans nearly all types of landscapes, from beaches to glaciers.

The University of Auckland has 29,000 undergraduate students, and it is considered New Zealand's leading university. It is ranked 65th among the world's top 100 universities by the Times Higher Education - Quacquarelli Symonds World Rankings of Universities. It is also ranked among the top 50 in the following subject areas: arts and humanities, life sciences and biomedicine, and social sciences. Another true strength of the University is its business school with 6,500 students and 280 faculty members in eight departments with 14 concentrations. The University is located in downtown Auckland, and students live in campus housing with other international and New Zealand students. Loyola students take the same full-time complement of courses as those taken by the Kiwi students.

This is a fall or spring semester program serving most Loyola majors; students must have a 3.000 cumulative QPA to apply. The program includes tuition, housing, one round-trip airfare, New Zealand health insurance, emergency evacuation insurance, and three short trips.

Loyola in Bangkok

From late-July to late-December, Loyola students attend classes at Assumption University in Bangkok, Thailand. Assumption is the largest Catholic university in Thailand and one of the most prestigious schools in the region. Courses are taught in English, and students from approximately 30 other countries attend. Courses are available in the humanities, sciences, social sciences, and business.

During the semester, there are several field trips to expose students to cultural and historical sites. Students also have the opportunity to do community service. Students also have the opportunity to travel to Chiang Mai, a major city in Northern Thailand, where they spend several days visiting hill tribes to experience Asian village life. The group then spends several days on Koh Samui, an island resort where they reflect on their experiences. At the end of the academic semesters, students visit Hong Kong, one of the great cities of the world. A Loyola director travels with the students and provides on-site support and activities for the entire semester.

Loyola in Beijing

Beijing, one of the world's oldest and greatest cities, is the capital of the Peoples' Republic of China. It is a city of contrasts, with the ultramodern and the historical striving to live side by side. Roughly the size of Belgium, Beijing is home to more than 12 million people and a center for art, music, theatre, dance, politics, business, medicine, sports, and education. It also serves as headquarters for many of China's largest firms, and nearly 500 American companies or joint ventures have offices here. Inhabited by cave dwellers in times long past, rebuilt by Genghis Khan in 1215 A.D., a capital for Mongol and Manchu, Beijing is destined to be one of the most important cities for the twenty-first century. As the Lonely Planet puts it: "This is where they move the cogs and wheels of the Chinese universe."

The Beijing Center for Chinese Studies (TBC) is a study abroad program comprised of a consortium of Jesuit colleges and universities. It is housed at Beijing's University of International Business and Economics. The program offers a unique mix of study and firsthand experience: morning language classes, afternoon and evening culture seminars, contemporary business courses, and education-based, adventure-style travel to spots of historic and cultural significance. Courses are taught in English, and the Chinese language must be studied.

Students may attend this program for a full year or for a fall, spring, or summer semester. Applicants must have a 2.800 cumulative QPA, and enrollment is limited to 15 Loyola students per semester. Acceptance preference is given to those who wish to attend for the year, or have studied the Chinese language, culture, and history, or have a 3.500 cumulative QPA or better. Students are housed in a residence for international students. Rooms are double occupancy, although students may request a single room for an additional fee.

Loyola in Berlin

Loyola has a program with the Berlin European Studies program (FU-BEST) at Freie Universitat that offers Loyola students the opportunity to experience German and European culture at a leading German university. The FU-BEST program is located in the southwestern part of the city and local transportation is part of the study abroad experience.

Loyola students can study in the exciting city of Berlin for the spring semester only. Courses are taught in English and German; however, students are required to enroll in two German language courses as part of the study abroad experience. Students who have never taken German will enroll in two introductory German language courses. Students who have taken German before will enroll in two German language courses to build on their previous knowledge of German. In addition, students may register for three other courses in the following areas: cultural studies, German and European politics, philosophy, and film studies; upper level literature courses; and communication courses for communication majors and minors.

Students have the option of living in an off-campus apartment or in a homestay. Local field trips are an integral part of many of the courses offered. Class attendance and participation in local field trips will impact students' final grades in the courses.

Students with a cumulative GPA of a 3.00 can be considered for this program. Students must apply to Loyola first for clearance to study abroad. Once cleared, students must also apply to FU-BEST and be accepted into the program.

Loyola in Cape Town

Affectionately known as the "Mother City", Cape Town was founded in 1652 and is South Africa's oldest city. Cape Town is rated as one of the most beautiful cities in the world with a backdrop of flat-topped Table Mountain set against the Atlantic Ocean in the foreground.

Loyola students participate in the International Studies Abroad (ISA) program in Cape Town. Students attend the historic University of Cape Town (UCT). Founded in 1829, UCT has a proud tradition of academic excellence and affecting social change and development through its pioneering faculty and students. UCT has about 17,000 undergraduate students, and 4,600 international students per year. UCT is very similar to the city of Cape Town: it has a vibrant, cosmopolitan community. Their staff and students come from over 100 countries in Africa and the rest of the world.

ISA's program offers excellent students benefit from the support of both the on-site ISA office as well as the International Students office at University of Cape Town. Students live in two-room ISA appartments close to campus that share a full kitchen and bathroom. All students have access to the free UCT shuttle. Nearly all majors can be served at UCT; students must have a 3.000 GPA or higher cumulative GPA to apply. This program includes round trip airfare, tuition, housing orientation, medical insurance coverage, student fees and cultural trips and tours.

Loyola in Copenhagen

Loyola offers a fall or spring semester program in Copenhagen, Denmark through the Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS)-an internationally renowned, study abroad institute affiliated with the University of Copenhagen and the Copenhagen Business School. Courses are available in biology, public health, the humanities, international business, economics, and the social sciences. All courses are taught in English, with a focus on European and Scandinavian culture. Applicants should have a 3.000 cumulative QPA.

As an institute, DIS explores the idea of using "Europe as the Classroom." In this effort, students participate in integrated study tours and field work as part of their academic experience. Each student takes part in a regional study tour, a week-long study tour, and once-weekly field visits in Copenhagen. All selected locations are relevant to the student's academic program and help supplement the related classroom work. These tours are included as part of the program. Students also have the option of participating in additional study or adventure tours at their own expense.

DIS hosts approximately 500 international students each year, mostly from the United States and Canada. It is located in the center of medieval Copenhagen and is housed in a building dating to 1798. The beautifully restored facility offers computer labs and internet access. Housing is coordinated through DIS, and students may choose to live in a student residence, in an apartment in Copenhagen, or with a Danish host family.

Loyola in Cork

Cork is the second largest city in Ireland with over 200,000 people in the metropolitan area. It is a maritime city on the banks of the River Lee on the southern coast of the country. The University College Cork (UCC) was established in 1845; today it is the home campus for 15,000 students. Loyola students attend class and live with other international and Irish students.

This is a fall or spring semester program. Admission is competitive for the single-semester option, as space is limited. Applicants should have a 3.000 or higher cumulative QPA; however, those with a 2.800 will be considered based on space availability.

Students attending UCC in the fall enroll in the Early Start Program, a three-week long course taken prior to the fall term that is designed to teach visiting students about various aspects of Irish culture, history, and literature. A limited number of trips and activities are included in the program. Students attending UCC during the spring have approximately two and a half weeks off during which visits or a trip are organized, along with other smaller excursions and dinners.

The program includes tuition, housing, airline tickets, trips, special meals, and other items. Daily meals are not included in the program's cost. Students are housed in self-catering apartments located in Leeside. Bedrooms and common areas are shared. A part-time coordinator is available to assist all students during their stay.

Loyola in Glasgow

Glasgow is a vibrant city of approximately 580,000 people located in southwestern Scotland, near the North Atlantic coast. It is one hour from Edinburgh and five hours from London by train.

The University of Glasgow is a prestigious research university and the second oldest university in Scotland. Students may take courses in the humanities, information and mathematical sciences, biomedical and life sciences, law, business and social sciences, physical sciences, and engineering. All students take the Scottish Enlightenment Honors seminar-an interdisciplinary course that explores how the seminal ideas of the Scottish Enlightenment continue to be important in intellectual and cultural life in the twenty-first century. For the rest of their requirements, Loyola students attend regular classes at the University with British and other international students.

Loyola students live with British and other international students in University housing near the main campus. Individual apartments house five or six students with a common kitchen and shared baths.

This program is offered through the Principia Consortium (housed in Berry College), and it is restricted to Loyola honors students. The program includes tuition, housing, and one round-trip airline ticket. Daily meals are not included in the cost. The on-site International Office is available to assist students during their stay.

Loyola in Leuven

Loyola has a study abroad program at the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven (K.U.Leuven) in Belgium. Leuven is a city of about 90,000 people situated roughly 20 miles east of Brussels. It is ideally situated for exploring the rest of Europe, as it is less than three hours by train from Amsterdam, Cologne, London, and Paris. Founded in 1425, K.U.Leuven is one of the premier educational institutions of the Low Countries.

Loyola students participate in the normal academic life of a European university, and they must plan to enroll in the Leuven program for their entire junior year. Under the guidance of a resident faculty director, Loyola students live with Belgian and international students in the Loyola International Nachbahr Huis. Students take a full load of regular classes from the K.U.Leuven faculty. Courses are taught in English, and over 3,700 international students attend. Courses are available in a variety of fields. All students are required to take introductory Dutch.

The program typically includes a number of trips: a week in France, 10 days in Italy, and several day trips. Under the guidance of the resident director, these travel experiences are integrated into a mandatory European culture course for credit. The fee also includes one round-trip airfare each semester.

Loyola in Melbourne

The city of Melbourne is the second largest city in Australia. It has been called Australia's cultural hub, offering ballet, symphony, theatre and Australian football, while hosting internationally diverse restaurants and cafes. It has consistently been rated one of the world's top ten most livable cities.

La Trobe University has been ranked among the top 500 universities in the world, with students at six campuses. Loyola students study at the University's Melbourne Campus located in the suburb of Bundoora. Loyola's program at La Trobe is a single-semester opportunity that begins in June and runs through November or begins in February and runs through June.

Loyola students live with other internationals and Australians in La Trobe's dormitories, offering single bedrooms and shared bath and kitchen facilities. Students have the opportunity to participate in La Trobe's orientation, as well as day and cultural trips. All students take a course on contemporary Australia to enhance their cultural experience.

Nearly all of Loyola's majors can be served at La Trobe; students must have a 3.000 or higher cumulative QPA to apply. The program includes round-trip airfare, tuition, housing, airport pickup, orientation, Australian medical insurance, student fees and cultural trips and tours.

Loyola in Newcastle

Newcastle University is located in the city of Newcastle Upon Tyne in the north of England. With a population of 270,000 people, the city of Newcastle is a cultural, commercial, educational, and recreational center for all of Northumberland. It is situated close to the North Sea to the east, Hadrian's Wall to the west, Scotland to the north and the cities of Durham and York to the south. Newcastle is on the fast BritRail mainline between London and Edinburgh and offers air and ferry connections to continental Europe.

With about 14,500 undergraduate students and 5,400 graduate students, the University specializes in baccalaureate education. Loyola students may elect to study in the fall or spring semester or for the full academic year (mid-September to mid-June). Students enroll in courses offered in about 30 academic disciplines under the guidance of the International Office, and each student is assigned a faculty tutor from the department of the major field of interest to assist in course selection and to act as an academic advisor.

Loyola students live in self-catering residence halls with British and international students on or near the main campus. The rooms are located within a short distance of the academic buildings, library, computer center, Student Union, and other service facilities. Since the campus is on the edge of the city's downtown retail district, students have easy access to shopping, pubs, theatres, and the soccer stadium for Newcastle's professional team.

Like the programs in Leuven and Bangkok, a package of trips, airline tickets, and other items are included in the program's cost. A full-time, on-site director is available to assist students during their stay.

Loyola in Paris

Situated on the Left Bank next to the Eiffel Tower, in the heart of the City of Light, the American University of Paris (AUP) offers a wide variety of undergraduate courses. The AUP is mostly an international university that takes pride in its international orientation, international affairs programs, and global teaching. Its 1,000 students come from 106 countries. All classes are offered in English except for the French program. The AUP offers some core courses required at Loyola, as well as 13 majors and 22 minors. Some courses offer field trips (sometimes to other countries) for an additional fee.

The AUP campus is a composite of buildings in the surrounding neighborhood. Students are required to live in shared apartments organized by AUP through Comforts of Home. Comforts of Home offers double or single bedrooms, standard or preferred locations in Paris. Only tuition, the study abroad fee, and the comprehensive fee are paid to Loyola. Housing fees are paid directly to Comforts of Home. Students pay all other costs (airfare, trips and activities, meals, personal expenses, etc.) separately. Students must arrange for travel to and from AUP. Loyola does not arrange for a group flight.

Loyola in Rome

Loyola University in Rome is a study abroad program consortium with the Catholic University of America. The "Eternal City" offers unique opportunities for Loyola students to be immersed in Italian culture and language, European art, history, literature, and the history of the Catholic Church.

The program is located in a one-acre garden on Rome's Janiculum Hill. It is housed in a newly renovated building with modern classrooms, high-speed wireless internet, a library and air-conditioned/heated facilities.

Language courses are taught at Italiaidea, a successful and dynamic Italian Language institute located in the historic Piazza Navona neighborhood. Students take two Italian language courses and live with Italian host families in areas around the city to receive a stronger immersion experience.

This is a fall or spring semester program. Spaces are limited, and the capacity is subject to change. The program includes one round-trip airfare; tuition; housing; an orientation weekend in downtown Rome; five breakfasts and four dinners per week with the host families; public transportation passes in Rome; program excursions; and a full-time director.

Loyola in San Salvador

This fall or spring semester program is run by Santa Clara University, in partnership with the Universidad Centroamericana Simeón Cañas (UCA) and their Casa de la Solidaridad (CASA) program, in conjunction with the Association of Jesuit Colleges and Universities. CASA is a unique community-based learning program whose mission is the promotion of justice and solidarity through the creation of a meaningful academic experience where students integrate rigorous academic study with direct immersion in the poor communities of El Salvador.

Students live together in a learning community, in three different houses. Two UCA scholarship students ("becarios") live at each CASA house, as well. The program includes many excursions, field trips, and cultural activities organized by the two resident program directors; all meals during the week; extended orientation and re-entry programs; health insurance; housing in a shared room at the CASA; and a stipend to assist with the purchase one round-trip airfare to El Salvador.

Exchange Programs

The University presently has single-semester or one-year exchange programs in nine cities: Amsterdam, Barcelona, Buenos Aires, Koblenz, Madrid, Montpellier, Osaka, Santiago, and Singapore. Students pay tuition to Loyola, while paying room, board, and fees to the host university. Unlike Loyola programs, exchanges do not offer full "packages." They are particularly recommended for more independent students.

Buenos Aires, Argentina

Buenos Aires is a large and vibrant city located on the Rio de la Plata. The Universidad del Salvador (USAL) is a private university founded in 1946; it has grown to become the largest private university in the city and one of the most important universities in South America.

This is a single-semester or one year program for most majors. Students must have successfully completed Intermediate Spanish (SN 201 /SN 203 ) since all courses are taught in Spanish alongside native Spanish speakers. A one month language and culture course is offered before the start of USAL's terms. Housing is off campus with other internationals in privately run student residences or in home-stays in the city of Buenos Aires. Students must have a 3.000 average to qualify for this program.

Santiago, Chile

Santiago is a modern metropolis at the foot of the Andes Mountains, just two hours away from the Pacific Coast. Founded in 1541 by Pedro de Vildavia, the city has played a major role in the economic boom that characterizes the recent history of Chile. Skyscrapers and Spanish and Latin American architecture give a unique flavor to one of Latin America's most attractive capital cities.

Students attend the University of Alberto Hurtado. The university has a strong and spirited Jesuit tradition, and its mission fits perfectly with Loyola's own mission and goals. This is a single-semester or one year program for most majors. Students must have successfully completed Intermediate Spanish II and SN 201 /SN 203  since all courses are taught in Spanish alongside native Spanish speakers.

This exchange program is designed for students who want to improve their Spanish beyond their core requirements, and is open to all students. The program also includes a service requirement organized through the university.

Montpellier, France

Montpellier is a thriving Mediterranean city and university town not far from the Spanish border. This is a spring semester or one-year program at the Université Paul Valéry (Montpellier III). This exchange accommodates most majors at Loyola, but all students must have completed intermediate French at Loyola. Some literature courses are offered in English; the French language must be studied. Housing can be on campus, in town apartments, or with local families.

Koblenz, Germany

This is a spring semester or one-year program at the Universität Koblenz for nearly all humanities majors. Intermediate German must be successfully completed before going. The program is divided into two parts. The first two months are spent studying the language and culture (6 credits for spring only students; 9 credits for yearlong students). The next three months are spent in the university (9 credits for spring only students). Nearly all courses are taught in German. Students can choose to live in a dormitory with other internationals or a homestay.

Osaka, Japan

This is a single-semester or one-year program at the Kansai Gaidai University. Kansai Gaidai's campus is located in the Hirakata Prefecture-a short distance from both Kyoto and Osaka. The program is suited to most Loyola majors, and all courses are taught in English. Students live with a Japanese family or in dorms with other internationals. Japanese language background is not a prerequisite; however, one Japanese language course must be taken while abroad.

Amsterdam, The Netherlands

Amsterdam is a quaint and picturesque city situated on many canals. There are plenty of museums and history to enjoy, and the public transportation system makes everything accessible. This fall or spring semester program, running from mid-August to mid-December or late January until July, at the HES Amsterdam School of Business is restricted to business majors and minors. Courses are taught in English, and students must take a Dutch language and culture course. Students are housed with other internationals in apartment buildings located near HES.

Singapore

Singapore is an island south of the Malay Archipelago with a population of four million people. It is the busiest port in the world, and one of the most important financial centers of Asia. It is very cosmopolitan and one of the last real city-states.

This is a fall or spring semester program, and courses are taught in English. Students attend Nanyang Technical University (NTU), Singapore's leading science and technological university. It is a research-intensive university with over 30,000 students. NTU's Wee Kim Wee School of Communication is considered the top journalism and media school in Asia. NTU's Nanyang Business School is accredited by AACSB and EQUIS- one of only three schools in Asia to hold both. The MBA program was recently ranked among the top 25 in the world by London's Financial Times.

Students live on the NTU campus in traditionally-styled residence halls among 9,200 other Singaporeans and internationals. Bedrooms are double occupancy, and there are shared bathrooms on each floor. Common television and study rooms, kitchenettes, and laundry facilities are provided in every building. Housing is paid directly to NTU.

Barcelona, Spain (not offered in 2016-2017)

Barcelona is a most dynamic Spanish Catalan city on the shores of the Mediterranean. It is world famous for its thriving economic center and also for its intense cultural and artistic life. The Instituto Quimico de Sarria (IQS) is a highly regarded Spanish Jesuit business school that is part of the Universitat Ramon Lull in Barcelona.

This is a spring semester only exchange program for international business, general business, economics, and marketing majors who will take at least two courses in Spanish at the IQS. IQS is located in a beautiful residential neighborhood overlooking the city and the sea, and it is easily accessible by bus and subway. Students may live in residences and apartments within walking distance from IQS or closer to the city center of Barcelona.

Students must have a 2.750 cumulative QPA to qualify for this program. Ideally, students interested in Barcelona also have at least one free elective to use while abroad.

Madrid, Spain

This is a fall or spring semester program at the Universidad Pontificia Comillas, a large and renowned Jesuit university located in historic Madrid. Comillas has two campuses, one in downtown Madrid and one just outside of the capital city, both accessible by a direct train line. The palaces, many museums, and art galleries of Madrid provide a feast for modern culture lovers. The city prides itself on its vibrant cultural life.

This program is suited to majors or minors in political science, history, business, and global studies with a minor or a major in Spanish. Courses are offered in English and Spanish through the host university's Center of International Studies. All students are required to take one Spanish course. Housing is provided through home-stays or privately owned student residences. Students must have a 3.000 average to participate in this program.

Affiliations

For the Accra, Berlin, Florence, and Rome affiliations, eligibility for financial aid is limited to Federal Direct Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), Federal Direct Parent Loans (PLUS), Federal Pell Grants, and most forms of state grant/scholarship assistance. Institutionally-controlled forms of financial aid including academic and athletic scholarships, need-based grants, Federal Perkins Loans, Federal Supplemental Grants, and Federal Work Study may not be used to assist with educational expenses incurred for this type of study abroad program. Loyola scholarships and grants are forfeited for the semester that the student is abroad.

New York University in Accra

Loyola University Maryland has an affiliation with New York University (NYU) in Manhattan offering a well-rounded program in Accra, Ghana. Ghana recently celebrated 50 years of independence, and it has remained a politically and economically stable country. Courses can be taken at the NYU academic center, a private university named Ashesi, and the University of Ghana-one of the premier universities on the continent. All courses are taught in English, the official language of the country. Between 35 and 50 American students participate in this program each semester. Students are housed in duplex townhouses in a gated community, and dinner is provided nightly at a fine, local restaurant. Both trips and community service are a vital part of this African opportunity.

Fairfield University in Florence

This affiliation is for both fall and spring semesters. All courses except for the Italian are taught in English. Students are required to take one Italian course. Students take classes at the Florence University of Arts (FUA) in seven different campuses located throughout Florence's city center.

All the facilities are equipped with free internet access. Students have the opportunity to participate in cultural activities like theater performances, visiting to surrounding towns in Tuscany, sporting events and authentic Italian meals.

Students are housed in fully furnished apartments located in the center of Florence within a 20-minute walk to school. Homestay option is available at an additional cost.

Students must apply to Loyola first for clearance to study abroad. Once cleared, students must apply to Fairfield university and be accepted into the program. A minimum GPA of 2.80 is required. Fairfield University may offer a limited number of scholarships to Loyola students that wish to study in Florence.

ICCS in Rome

The Intercollegiate Center for Classical Studies (ICCS) in Rome is the premier study-abroad program for students of the Classics. Loyola University Maryland is a member institution of the Consortium of Colleges and Universities that supports the program. Duke University administers the program.

Students live together on the Janiculum hill-a 10-minute bus ride from downtown Rome-and take courses focusing on the art, archaeology, and history of ancient Rome. All students take the double-course, "The Ancient City" which covers Roman archaeology, topography, history, and civilization. Students choose their remaining two courses from intermediate and advanced Latin and Greek, Renaissance and baroque art history, and elementary Italian. The semester regularly involves field trips and site visits in Rome and the surrounding region, often including trips to Pompeii and Sicily.

Non-Loyola Programs

Students who have investigated all of the University's sponsored opportunities (programs, exchanges, or affiliations) may appeal to the Committee on Study Abroad for authorization to participate in a non-Loyola study abroad program. The non-Loyola program selected must meet one of the following criteria:

• The program must be offered through an accredited, four-year, degree-granting institution in the United States providing an American transcript upon completion of the program.
• The program or university abroad must have a U.S. educational provider who can furnish Loyola with a translation of the foreign transcript (courses, grades, and credits) at the conclusion of the program. However, summer transcripts from Italiaidea (Rome) and Sophia University (Tokyo) will be accepted.
• Any exception request to the non-Loyola program criteria outlined in the catalogue must be submitted in writing to the Dean of International Programs. The written request must be submitted one month before the application deadline of sophomore year in order to study abroad in the junior year.

An appeal form is available in the Office of International Programs. It requires following information:

• name and location of the program;
• academic reasons why this study abroad program meets the student's need better than any of the Loyola study abroad opportunities;
• course titles and American credits for each course;
• the chair's signature from the department in which each course falls and the equivalent Loyola courses selected by the chair (course descriptions may be required);
• academic advisor's signature; and
• verification that the study abroad provider enjoys at least regional accreditation in the United States or national accreditation in the host country (supplied by the U.S. educational provider).

Students should submit the completed appeal form to the office assistant or manager in the Office of International Programs. All appeals are due by December 1, fall of sophomore year. Students will be notified in writing of the Committee's decision; this decision is final. Since Loyola University Maryland will not accept courses, grades, or credits from a non-approved program, students should not use a program that has been rejected.

The following policies govern non-Loyola programs and any programs approved by the Committee:

1. Students may not study for the year on a non- Loyola program.
2. Students must meet and maintain the cumulative GPA of 2.750 to be considered for a fall or spring semester non-Loyola program; it does not matter if the non-Loyola program considered has a lower cumulative GPA requirement. Students must meet and maintain the cumulative GPA of 2.500 to be considered for a summer non-Loyola program. Some summer programs may require a higher average than 2.500, and this must be met.
3. Courses must meet the requirements of the student's degree program and be approved by Loyola University Maryland prior to study. Students must receive a letter grade of C (2.000) or higher in each approved course. Courses with a grade of C- or below will not be accepted (see Grades  under Curriculum and Policies). Courses and credits transfer from the approved non-Loyola programs, but grades do not. (See Honors under Graduation  in Curriculum and Policies for grade point qualifications for graduation with honors.)
4. Study abroad courses sponsored by non-Loyola programs do not count toward the residency requirements. (See Residency Requirement  under Policies in Curriculum and Policies for further information.)
5. Students with a history of serious disciplinary problems cannot apply to a non-Loyola program.
6. A nonrefundable study abroad fee is charged to partially defray the cost of processing (see Fees  for more information).
7. Students who choose to use a non-Loyola program are housed after students who use Loyola sponsored programs. Students on non-Loyola programs will be housed only if there are spaces available on campus. Students using non-Loyola programs must put their names on the Student Life housing wait-list in order to be considered for on-campus housing.

Students who use non-Loyola programs run the risk of not receiving on-campus housing when they return from abroad, and in some cases, are not able to return to on-campus housing in the future.

8. The list of approved non-Loyola programs will be reviewed at the end of each academic year. Based on this review, the list may be changed. Notice of change will be posted in the Office of International Programs.
9. Eligibility for financial aid is limited to Federal Direct Stafford Loans (subsidized and unsubsidized), Federal Direct Parent Loans (PLUS), Federal Pell Grants, and most forms of state grant/scholarship assistance. Institutionally-controlled forms of financial aid, including academic and athletic scholarships, need-based grants, Federal Perkins Loans, supplemental grants, and work-study may not be used to assist with educational expenses incurred for host programs. Loyola's academic scholarships and grants are forfeited for the semester and/or year that the student studies abroad.
10. After completing a non-Loyola study abroad program, students must take their remaining degree requirements at Loyola. This means they cannot take summer courses away from Loyola University Maryland (see Residency Requirement  under Curriculum and Policies).

Summer and Short-Term Opportunities

The University currently offers five Loyola summer programs, and one non-Loyola summer program for students who cannot go abroad during the fall or spring semesters. (Note: Loyola financial aid does not apply to summer programs or study tours.)

The five Loyola summer programs are offered in Prague, Czech Republic; Guadeloupe and Montpellier, France; Rome, Italy; and Granada, Spain. Students pay tuition and fees to Loyola. All courses, grades, and credits are transferred to Loyola and affect the Loyola QPA.

The University also supports two non-Loyola summer programs in Beijing, China, and Tokyo, Japan (all non-Loyola program rules apply). Tuition and fees are paid directly to the non-Loyola program. Only courses and credits, not grades, transfer where a grade of C (2.000) or higher is earned in approved courses.

Summer and short-term opportunities are reviewed annually. Therefore, for the most current information, contact the Office of International Programs.

Refunds and Deposits

Once a deposit is submitted the student is committed to the program. If the student chooses to withdraw an application from study abroad, the deposit is non-refundable and certain fees may be assessed to cover expenditures already incurred.