Faculty-Led Study Abroad Programs

We offer short-term faculty-led programs across the disciplines during Spring Break, Summer, and Winter Break.
Study abroad group outside in front on monument in Italy

Faculty-led study abroad courses are 3-credit Fitchburg State classes and require no transfer of credit. Students take the course during the spring semester and travel over spring break/after graduation in May with their peers. Faculty-led study abroad courses are also offered in the summer through the SGOCE and can be from ten days to one month long. Each faculty-led program is unique but tend to meet on campus before traveling, and once or twice after returning from traveling for a final project/presentation. Courses range in topics from business to nursing and travel to Europe, Africa, Latin America and Asia. 

The Office of International Education plans faculty-led programs years in advance. We want students to be able to plan for a faculty-led program (or multiple) that work well with their academic, professional and personal goals. To connect with study abroad alumni, please email inthelp@fitchburgstate.edu to hear firsthand student's experiences abroad!

Students should first apply to their faculty-led program of choice below and then apply to EITHER the Global Ambassador Scholarship (for faculty-led programs other than Italy) or Center for Italian Culture Scholarship (CIC) (for faculty-led programs in Italy). The Center for Italian Culture (CIC) at Fitchburg State University has supported students studying abroad in Italy for 20+ years. We are grateful for their continued support in sending hundreds of falcons to Italy for their study abroad experiences!

Past Programs

  • Global Public Health Program in Costa Rica with Professor Benes and Stone
  • Luxury Brand Management in Milan, Italy with Professor Scapparone
  • PreK-12 Education Program in Rome, Italy with Professor DeAngelis
  • Behavioral Science in Croatia with Professor Kori Ryan
  • Introduction to Peace Studies in Ireland with Professor Budd
  • Eat, Speak Italian and History Program in Verona, Italy with Professors Diakite and Sarefield
  • Rhetoric in Greece and Travelogue Filmmaking with Professors Sylvia and McCarthy
  • Heart of Europe in Netherlands, Germany and Poland with Professor Joshua Spero
  • Luxury Brand Management in Milan, Italy with Professor Renee Scapparone and Jeanne Moore
  • Mediterranean Diet and Lifestyle in Verona, Italy with Professor Monica Maldari
  • Environment and GIS Mapping in Peru with Professor Jane Huang
  • Arts and Game Design Program in Japan with Professor Jon Amakawa
  • Facilitating English Program in Spain with Professors Farron-Davis and Tyner
  • Global Public Health in Costa Rica with Professors Benes and Stone
  • Japanese-American History and Game Design Program with Professor Jeff Warmouth in Los Angeles and Hawaii
  • Introduction to Peace Studies in Ireland with Professor Eric Budd
  • Rhetoric in Communications Program in Greece with Professor J.J. Sylvia
  • History and Eat, Speak, Italian Program in Verona with Professors Dan Sarefield and Rala Diakite
  • Tropical Ecology Program in Costa Rica with Professor Chris Picone
  • Facilitating English Language Program in Spain with Professors Felicia Farron-Davis and Scott Tyner

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Academic Standing Policy

To participate in faculty-led study abroad programs, a student must be in good academic standing (which is defined by the university as an overall cumulative GPA of 2.0 or higher).

Faculty-Led Study Abroad Cancellation Policy

A students’ request to withdraw from a faculty-led program must be made in writing to the Office of International Education at Fitchburg State University. This request must include the reason for withdrawal. 

All faculty-led payments are non-refundable. Please see below for additional costs due to cancellation:

  • If a student cancels after the first payment due date, they are liable for 35% of the total program cost. 
  • If a student cancels after the second payment due date, they are liable for 70% of the total program cost.
  • If a student cancels after the third payment due date, they are liable for 100% of the total program cost. 

If Fitchburg State University cancels a faculty-led program (due to a variety of unforeseen circumstances), the university will refund any costs already paid by students. 

Please email inthelp@fitchburgstate.edu with additional questions/concerns. 

Questions? Get in touch!