The following FAQs relate only to the CIBER Summer Study Abroad Programs; to learn more about other study abroad programs offered through the Undergraduate Programs Office, see: BBA International Programs.

Researching Programs:
  • Which programs do you recommend for my major?

  • Can non-business students enroll?

  • I only speak English.  Where can I study abroad?

Academics:
  • Do the grades compute into my GPA?
  • Can I take classes on a credit/no credit basis?
  • Are the excursions required?

Finances:
  • Can I apply financial aid to these programs?

  • Are scholarships available?

Enrollment Process:

  • Do I have to submit an enrollment application?

  • How many students are allowed per program? Do the programs
     fill up?
  • Is there a waitlist?
  • When are my enrollment deposit and final payment due?

Travel & Accommodation Arrangements:
  • Do I need a passport?
  • Do I need a visa?
  • Should I make my own flight arrangements?

  • When should I purchase my airline tickets?

  • Can I choose a roommate? Can I have single room
     accommodations?

  • Can I arrive at the student residence early or stay late?

  • Can I have overnight guests stay with me at the student
     residence?

  • Can I store my luggage at the student residence while I travel
     before or after the program?

Other:

  • What is an International Student ID Card (ISIC)? Is it required?

  • What are the recommended guidelines for health insurance?

  • What is the International SOS coverage?

  • Under what emergency conditions would CIBER cancel a
     program?

  • Will students encounter anti-Americanism overseas?

  • What is the role of the on-site program liaison?

Which programs do you recommend for my major?
Each program provides credit that can be used as electives for any business major.  Each program offers courses in specified areas of business. Some programs are open to non-business students; please check with your Academic Advisor for applicability. The International Accounting Program in Hong Kong and International Accounting Program in Paris are only open to McCombs MPA students.  For a list of courses taught in each program, please refer to the individual program websites. 

Can non-business students enroll?
Yes; most CIBER summer study abroad programs are open to UT-Austin students of any major. Students must meet the eligibility requirements for the specific program in which they are interested. Pre-requisites can be found on the individual program websites. Students should consult with their Academic Advisor to determine their eligibility.
 

I only speak English.  Where can I study abroad?
All of the CIBER Summer Study Abroad Programs are taught in English and there is no foreign language requirement.
 

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Do the grades compute into my GPA?
Yes, the grades will compute into your GPA and will be credited towards your UT-Austin degree. Courses taken on a credit/no credit (pass/fail) basis do not count toward the GPA.

Can I take classes on a credit/no credit basis?
If you are eligible to take the classes on a credit/no credit basis, you may elect to do so.  Students considering the credit/no credit option must obtain the approval of their Academic Advisor, as noted on the Academic Advisor Approval Form. 

All coursework in a student’s major or minor must be taken for a letter grade. Courses taught in the International Accounting Program in Hong Kong and the International Accounting Program in Paris must be taken for a letter grade. 

Are the excursions required?
All class related visits, such as company visits, are required. The group extra-curricular activities are optional, but students are strongly encouraged to attend.  Some of the activities are already covered in the program fee.  Other excursions organized by the UT-Austin on-site program liaison are optional as well, and students are responsible for covering these costs.
 

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Can I apply financial aid to these programs?
The CIBER Summer Study Abroad Programs differ in some ways from other study abroad programs where financial aid is concerned, as students are registered for the classes through University Extension, Continuing and Innovative Education.  Students who are eligible to receive financial aid through the Office of Student Financial Services (OSFS) may apply for summer aid as they normally would.  Please refer to the section on financial aid for more information.

Are scholarships available?
Yes! There are three scholarships all students may apply for online through the GLOBAL A$$IST website.

1. The CIBER Summer Study Abroad Scholarships are available to participants of the CIBER-sponsored summer study abroad programs. The number of scholarship awards and amounts distributed each year varies. The CIBER scholarship application deadline for summer 2009 programs is March 2, 2009. 

2. All UT-Austin students are eligible to apply for the IEF Scholarship. The deadline for summer 2009 programs is March 1, 2009. 

3. The American Airlines Global Leadership Award  provides roundtrip airfare to the program destination. The deadline for summer 2009 programs is March 1, 2009.

Additionally, Texas Exes also provides one scholarship in the amount of $1775 to UT students going abroad on a UT program. Applications are accepted by email and the deadline is March 1, 2009.

There are additional scholarships available to Plan II, Liberal Arts, Natural Sciences, and BDP students. Students should consult with their colleges or departments for further information.

For additional information about funding and scholarships, see:

Funding Study Abroad at UT-Austin
IIEPassport Study Abroad Funding

Resources for Study Abroad

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Do I have to submit an enrollment application?
There is not an enrollment application for the CIBER-sponsored programs in Edinburgh, Hong Kong, Paris, Rotterdam, or Prague.  For most programs, enrollment is accepted on a first come, first served basis.  There is a lottery process for the International Accounting Programs in Paris, Prague, and Hong Kong.  Before enrolling in any program, please refer to the program specific information to determine your eligibility for that program. 

Students interested in the BBA Global Business Program are required to submit an application.

How many students are allowed per program? Do the programs fill up?
Enrollment in the programs is limited to 30 students.  Students are encouraged to enroll early as some programs fill before the enrollment deadline.  Students may enroll in programs that have not exceeded maximum capacity after the enrollment deadline, but in these cases students may be required to submit a late enrollment fee of $250 at the time of submitting the deposit.

Is there a waitlist?
If a program meets the student limit, a waitlist will be kept in the event that someone withdraws from the program. If any places become available, the next students on the waitlists are contacted and offered the position. Waitlists have been used in the past when necessary, however, it is important to note that students rarely withdraw from the program.

When are my enrollment deposit and final payment due?
A $500 (non-refundable) enrollment deposit (check or money order), payable to The University of Texas at Austin, is due at the time of enrollment.  The deposit will be deducted from the total program fee.  The final payment balance is due by May 21, 2009. You can drop off payments in CIBER (CBA-N 3.204) at the McCombs School of Business or you may mail them to the address listed below.

The University of Texas at Austin
McCombs School of Business, CIBER

1 University Station, B6000
Austin, TX  78712-0201

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Do I need a passport?
Yes; all travelers must have a valid passport. If you already have one, check that the expiration date and make sure that your passport has been signed.  Since passport processing times have increased in recent months as a result of new regulations, program participants are strongly encouraged to apply for or renew their passport as soon as possible.

For additional information, see:

UT International Office Passport and ID Services
Passport information for U.S. citizens

Get a U.S. passport

Renew your U.S. passport

Do I need a visa?
If you are a U.S. citizen, you will not need a visa for travel to France or the Netherlands for a stay of up to 90 days, to Hong Kong for a stay of up to 90 days, and to the UK for a stay of up to 6 months.  If you are an international student, please consult the nearest consulate for the countries you plan to visit for specific requirements. International students must also check in with the UT International Office to inform them of summer travel plans to avoid problems with student visas upon reentry to the United States. For travel requirements for U.S. citizens, please see the U.S. Department of State website.

IMPORTANT:  All students participating in the International Accounting Program in Hong Kong will need a visa for Mainland China. For details about the application process, please refer to the Hong Kong program website.

Should I make my own flight arrangements?
Students are responsible for making their own flight arrangements. Students are typically asked to arrive one or two days before classes begin, and you will have one or two days to move-out of the residence once classes end. Please note the student residence will not be available to you beyond the specific program move-in and move-out dates. Information about your travel itinerary (flights, trains, etc.) must be submitted in the “My SAO website.

When should I purchase my airline tickets?
You should wait until CIBER notifies you, by email, that you may purchase your tickets. Program viability will be confirmed in early February, so all participants are being asked to wait until then to make final arrangements. Student travel specialists can assist you with flights and any other arrangements such as Eurail passes, accommodations, etc. Another good resource for reasonable student travel rates is Student Universe.  Please note that CIBER does not endorse any particular travel provider and students are encouraged to use the provider of their choice. It pays to comparison shop!

Can I choose a roommate? Can I have single room accommodations?
Most of the programs offer double room housing accommodations. You may request a roommate, or CIBER will assign one for you. Students will have the opportunity to submit their roommate requests, if any, during the pre-departure orientation workshops.  The Business Law Program in Edinburgh offers single room accommodations, but in shared flats. For all other programs, please assume you will have a double room unless otherwise specified.

Can I arrive at the student residence early or stay late?
Program move-in and move-out dates are specified on each program website. Please adhere to these dates as the residence halls cannot accommodate students prior to or after these dates.  If you plan to arrive in the host city early (or stay late), please plan to make accommodation arrangements on your own.

Can I have overnight guests stay with me at the student residence?
No!  The accommodation contracts with partner student residences are made on behalf of students and no overnight guests are permitted. If you have friends or family planning to visit, we suggest that you begin researching accommodations early. 

Can I store my luggage at the student residence while I travel before or after the program?
The student residences abroad cannot accommodate storage requests. Please plan accordingly.
 

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What is an International Student ID Card (ISIC)? Is it required?
All students participating in a University of Texas at Austin study abroad program are required to have an International Student ID Card (ISIC). This card may be purchased through UT International Office Passport and ID Services or My ISIC for approximately $22-$25. 

What are the recommended guidelines for health insurance?
Students participating in the CIBER-sponsored programs in Edinburgh, Hong Kong, Rotterdam, Prague and Paris are covered through the UT group plan with CISI: Cultural Insurance Services International.  No action needs to be taken in order to obtain coverage through CISI.  CIBER will enroll you automatically.  For information about CISI, see the UT group plan brochure.

IMPORTANT NOTE:  the automatically enrolled coverage is for the duration of the official study abroad program only.  If you plan to travel before or after your study abroad program, you can enroll yourself for CISI coverage to cover your pre- and/or post-study abroad travel.  Students will receive full details at orientation.

If you are already covered through an independent provider (perhaps on your family’s policy), check with your provider for specific information on international coverage. Usually, providers will cover emergencies but will ask you to meet a deductible and cover a greater percentage of the costs. You will want  to know what those amounts are, and what the procedure is for reimbursements, etc.

What is the International SOS coverage?
All participants of CIBER Summer Study Abroad programs are covered under a special scholastic policy with International SOS.  This special coverage includes services such as:

 • Pre-trip information for travel health
 • Emergency evacuation
 • Access to International SOS clinics
 • Medically supervised repatriation
 • Access to security crisis center
 • Medical and dental referrals
 • Recommended immunizations

 • Travel advice

 • 24-hour alarm centers

Prior to departure, participants will receive information on the International SOS services and coverage as it applies specifically to them. For more information, see International Travel Assistance.  You will need your UTEID to login. 

Under what emergency conditions would UT-Austin or CIBER cancel a program?
CIBER Study Abroad programs will be offered unless the U.S. State Department issues a travel warning for one of the host countries.  If the U.S. Department of State were to issue a public announcement to U.S. citizens for evacuation from a host country while the program is in session, the university would require program participants return home as well. If participants elect to ignore the request, The University of Texas at Austin will not be held responsible for their safety, health or academic progress. A call for the withdrawal of U.S. citizens is an extreme measure and a last resort. Additional information can be found in the student handbook that you received at orientation.
 

Will students encounter anti-Americanism overseas?
As a result of the war in Iraq, US students may encounter anti-American sentiment while they are abroad, either in writing or verbally. It is important for American students to remember that different opinions are not by themselves a threat to their personal safety. While it may be natural for students to feel hurt or offended by criticisms of the United States, it is important for students not to take these criticisms personally. Brushing up on American foreign policies and learning the reasons behind them is a good way for students to take an active part in these debates without feeling helpless or personally attacked.  Please take the time to review the health and safety information posted on the C-GEO website.

What is the role of the on-site program liaison?
A UT-Austin on-site program liaison will be in country with the students for the duration of the program.  These coordinators serve as the student’s first point of contact and assist students while they are abroad. The responsibilities of the program liaison, as they pertain to your participation, include the following:
 

 • Serve as the official contact with the host university;
 • Keep CIBER informed of various developments with the program
   and students;
 • Represent UT-Austin in negotiations with the host university or
   other entities involved with the program;
 • Assist with student orientation, arrival, housing, excursions and
   program activities;
 • Provide for the smooth functioning of the program including the
   handling of emergencies and problems;
 • Inform students of local regulations of the program, the host
   institution, the residence, and the host community;
 • Advise students on academic aspects of the program;
 • Assist in maintaining records of participants; and
 • Assist students with personal matters and emergencies.

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