Coursework and Internships Abroad

Study Center and Direct Enrollment Program Model 

Most PC students study abroad through a program that has a study center model. Essentially, a study center is a building (or space inside a building) in an urban setting where students attend classes and meet with their program’s onsite staff. The academic style and culture at study centers will be similar to what students are accustomed to at PC, but it will not be exactly the same.  Students will need to make adjustments to a new academic culture. Please note that students’ housing is not adjacent to where they will be attending classes, and students will need to commute either on foot and/or by public transportation. This can take from 15 to 60 minutes (or more), and students will need to adjust to this change in their daily routines.

Some PC study abroad students will have a direct enrollment experience at a local university while abroad. Compared to PC, this will be very different in terms of academics. Class sizes will be larger, and there will be less guidance and feedback with assignments. The final exam or project will also constitute a large percentage (50% or higher) of students’ final grades. This experience will entail a learning curve and adjustment for students. Housing may or may not be adjacent to the university, so students may need to commute from their housing to where they will be taking classes. 

Language Course Abroad

Students studying abroad in countries where French, German, Italian, and Spanish are spoken are required to enroll in the respective language course while abroad. Students not doing a major or minor in a language will receive free elective credit for the language course they take while abroad. 

Study Abroad Internships

The Providence College School of Business has an experiential learning requirement for their study abroad students. For most students, this will be an internship. Students will start the internship process during the pre-departure phase of their experience with paperwork and initial interviews to facilitate their internship placement. Internship placements may not be finalized until students arrive onsite. Students will need to be patient and flexible with this process. 

Students’ internship schedules will not be finalized until they arrive onsite, and students should expect to have complete internship hours Monday through Friday. Students should not expect to have Fridays off to accommodate their travel plans. In addition, students may have to commute 30 to 60 minutes to their internship placement. 

Study abroad internships are not only available to PCSB students. Any student who is interested in doing an internship abroad should be sure to discuss this option with their academic advisor and study abroad advisor. All internships will need to be approved by their major department chair, and how the internship counts on the degree audit will depend on the major.

Grades and Credits 

Students’ grades from study abroad will be calculated into their PC cumulative GPA. Study abroad classes are not Pass/Fail. All students should plan to enroll in 15 credits for semester abroad programs.