FAQs

Here, we answer some of the most common questions that we hear about studying abroad.

You may have some reservations about studying abroad while in college. That’s understandable! Fortunately, the ability to study abroad is built right into our curriculum, so we make it easy and fun to go abroad during your four years at Champlain.

Explore answers to our most frequently asked questions regarding study abroad. Find information about housing, applications, eligibility and more. If you don’t find your answer here, we welcome you to reach out to us!

Application Process

  • You must be a full-time student with good academic standing. A 2.75 GPA is encouraged when applying to Champlain Abroad campuses in Dublin or Montreal.

  • Every major has the ability to study abroad at Champlain. However, depending on your major, you may need to consider when and where you will go.

    Depending on your major, spring or fall semester might align better with your curriculum.

  • If you would like to go to Montreal, you don’t have to be a gaming student. Every major has the ability to study abroad at Champlain’s Montreal campus.

  • Early decision allows the Champlain Abroad office to help determine if the semester you applied for best fits with your curriculum requirements and the abroad housing capacity. It may also help secure your spot early.

  • Visit champlain.terradotta.com and set up an account using your mymail address. Select your desired semester and complete all required steps on the dashboard. This will include requirements such as two faculty references, unofficial transcript, and learning content.

  • A disciplinary review is a standard review for every study abroad applicant before you are accepted. This review assesses all documented incidents and sanctions on your Champlain conduct file.

    Each review is conducted automatically without any needed action on your part during the application process.

  • The application cycle for the 2023-2024 academic year is closed, but if you’re interesting in studying abroad during the spring 2024, reach out to us at champlainabroad@champlain.edu ASAP.

    To study abroad during the fall or spring semesters of the 2024-2025 academic year, you must submit your application(s) on TerraDotta by March 1, 2024.

    Students who wish to complete an internship while in Dublin should have their application and their internship documents completed and submitted by February 15, 2024.

  • Once all application components have been submitted, you should receive an email regarding approval status approximately one week after the application deadline.

Financial Aid

  • The Champlain Abroad works closely with students seeking to study abroad—in collaboration with the Office of Financial Aid and the Office of Student Accounts—to ensure that the finances and logistics of each study abroad option are clear and accessible.

    If you study abroad at one of Champlain’s international campuses (Dublin or Montreal), you will pay all tuition, housing, board, etc. to Champlain College as usual. You will receive all your institutional financial aid. In addition, Champlain offers both internal and outside scholarship opportunities.

    For third-party programs, you will pay all tuition, housing, board, and any other program fees directly to the study abroad provider. Federal financial aid can be applied to the program costs via consortium agreement arranged by Champlain College. However, Champlain College institutional financial aid does not apply to any third-party programs and will not be awarded to Champlain students during any semester(s) of study abroad with third-party programs.

Coursework

  • The Champlain Abroad Dublin/Montreal programs have an array of courses that are ready to teach each semester based on the composition of the student group.

  • One option is to apply for an internship abroad. Many majors require an internship to be completed for credit. Other majors allow you to waive electives or course requirements with internship credit.

    Another option is to take a more easily transferred course. For example, if you have the ability to plan ahead, save your science/lab for your semester abroad and take the course because it’s a topic that is regularly offered at most institutions.

  • Dublin:

    Champlain College’s Dublin Academic Centre is housed in a 5 floor historic Georgian building located at 43 Leeson Street Lower, Saint Kevin’s, Dublin 2, D02 EH10. The Academic Centre houses staff offices, classrooms, a computer lab, and student lounge spaces. The entire building has wireless internet and is exclusively for Champlain students. The Academic Centre is an approximately 30 minutes walk from the Highlight Thomas Street Residence.

    Montreal:

    Champlain College’s Montreal Academic Center is located on Rue Sherbrooke East. The center houses classrooms, computer labs, a student lounge and kitchenette for preparing meals with friends.  Students have 24/7 access to the computer labs.  The center is just steps from a Metro station and the shops and restaurants on Rue St. Catherine and Rue St. Denis.

  • While in Dublin, you are in classes with other Champlain students, taught by locally hired faculty. There are no Irish students in your classes. You must put in the effort and be proactive in order to make Irish friends. There are loads of opportunities out there, so seize them! To make the most of your experience you must get out of the apartments, and not just for class or grocery shopping.

  • No, all classes are in English and navigating the city is very easy for non-French speakers.

Living Abroad

  • Champlain Abroad campuses (Dublin/Montreal) and exchange programs work through local agencies to provide you with apartment-style housing.

    Current residents are housed in:

    • Evo Residential Living in Montreal
    •  Highlight on Thomas Street in The Liberties in Dublin

  • Champlain Abroad campuses (Dublin/Montreal) offer apartment-style housing including modern kitchens for meal preparation. There is no meal plan available so take advantage of local food markets.

    Some student favorites in Montreal include Atwater Market and the Jean-Talon Market.

  • While in Montreal, it is a good idea to invest in a monthly metro pass which gives you access to both the bus and subway with unlimited fare for that month. The metro travels right from the student housing at Evo to the academic center. Use the Montreal buses for day trips and exploring the city during down time. You can download the Transit app to keep track of the best bus routes for your daily activities.

Other Frequently Asked Questions

  • No, to study abroad you will need a student visa. Student visas bar you from earning income while abroad. However, if you study at a Champlain Abroad campus, you can earn income as an Residential Assistant or Social Media ambassador.

  • When you study abroad, your daily routine, culture, and the attitudes of people around you are no longer familiar. The process of recognizing, understanding, and adapting to these changes is called culture shock. This is normal. It is not a sign that anything is wrong. Culture shock is an inherent part of living abroad.

    One of the most effective ways of dealing with culture shock is to acknowledge and prepare for it. If you can acknowledge culture shock is affecting how you feel, studies suggest that you will be more likely to overcome it.

    Another strategy is to simply keep an open mind. By keeping an open mind, you may learn to understand the new culture even if you never fully accept it.

     

  • Yes, if you plan to study abroad in Montreal or Dublin, you have the opportunity to refer a friend from another college. If you have a friend who wants to reach out about Champlain Abroad, contact the Champlain Abroad office at champlainabroad@champlain.edu.

  • Champlain College communicates with incoming and in-country students via your Champlain email account. You must check your account regularly for information both before arrival and during your stay abroad.