While Abroad
Academic Advice & Regulations
Will TCU academic policies apply to my host program?
No. As a study abroad student, you are subject to the rules, regulations, and academic policies of the host university / program. TCU cannot intervene, change, or provide exceptions to their academic policies. This may include:
- Add / drop processes and policies
- Attendance / absence policies
- Grading structure
- Grade disputes
- Dates, times, and locations of exams
Are the classes hard?
You should expect the classes to be different. The pace, the grading, the approach of professors, and the structure will all be different.
Students who take the academics seriously, attend class diligently, and ask for help tend to do very well. But be aware that absences, negative attitudes, comparisons to U.S. academics, and a "vacation" mindset will make it much harder to be successful.
Will I get grades for my courses?
Yes. If you are taking coursework at a TCU-in program or a TCU Global Portfolio program, your program will provide a grade conversion indicating how the grades from abroad will be converted to the TCU scale.
Can I audit or take courses pass/no credit?
Audits are not allowed for Study Abroad classes.
You may elect a Pass/No-Credit (P/NC) grading option per TCU's P/NC policies. To select P/NC, you must contact TCU Global (studyabroad@tcu.edu) before the P/NC deadline communicated on the program calendar (for courses offered at a partner institution) or select it in your my.tcu.edu portal (TCU courses).
For courses offered at a partner university, you will still receive a grade from the university, but it will not be recorded on your TCU record or calcuated into your TCU GPA.
Please carefully read TCU's P/NC policy to verify course eligibility for P/NC.
How do I get exceptions to policies and regulations?
TCU cannot override host university policies and regulations. You are considered a student of the host program / university, and you are subject to their academic policies and regulations. This includes but is not limited to policies on:
- Attendance / Absence policies
- Add / Drop process
- Grade Appeals
- Final Exam schedule
How do I register for the semester I return?
You will able to register online for classes just like any other term at TCU. Be sure to communicate with your advisor well in advance and clear any enrollment flags ahead of time. Keep in mind that your enrollment appointment is according to U.S. Central Time!
When will I get my grades?
Coursework and grades are typically posted 10 – 12 weeks after the program ends. TCU Global works closely with the Office of Financial Aid to keep this from preventing future aid to post.
Students are not able to graduate at the end their study abroad semester. TCU cannot certify degree requirements until the coursework is posted.
Life Abroad
What will it be like when I arrive?
You will probably have a mix of feelings, when you arrive: excitement, disappointment, anticipation, anxiety. These are all normal!
It may take a little time to adjust. For many travelers, the first 48 hours abroad can be particularly unsettling. Lack of sleep, dehydration, and change in time zones can exacerbate reactions to cultural differences and inhibit adaptation to your new environment. Generally, you can expect to find your footing within a few days.
Remember that initial disappointment or anxiety may be due jet lag and lack of sleep. Give yourself a chance to adjust before becoming too upset about the differences or unmet expectations.
You may have variations of this arrival shock and culture shock throughout your time abroad. For advice, see our Homesickness Tip Sheet.
It may take a little time to adjust. For many travelers, the first 48 hours abroad can be particularly unsettling. Lack of sleep, dehydration, and change in time zones can exacerbate reactions to cultural differences and inhibit adaptation to your new environment. Generally, you can expect to find your footing within a few days.
Remember that initial disappointment or anxiety may be due jet lag and lack of sleep. Give yourself a chance to adjust before becoming too upset about the differences or unmet expectations.
You may have variations of this arrival shock and culture shock throughout your time abroad. For advice, see our Homesickness Tip Sheet.
What is it like to live abroad?
You already know that things will be different, and that you'll need to adapt. But sometimes you may be surprised by the range and types of things that are different!!
Here are a few things you may need to get used to:
- Different amenities (no central heating or AC, no dryers, limited hot water)
- Smaller sizes (smaller rooms, smaller closets, smaller refrigerators)
- Different availability of products and fresher foods that don’t last as long
- Limited WiFi and bandwidth
- Living with non-TCU students (either in the apartment or in the building)
- More street and neighbor noise, increased security, and keyed front entries
- Restrictions regarding guests and noise in your apartment
- Different (often shorter) store hours
- More walking
How long will it take to adapt?
The amount of time for adapting is often dependent on your ability to be flexible.
A new culture is intriguing and exciting, but may also be frustrating, confusing, and tiring. Your emotional resilience and ability to embrace differences are key to adaptation.
Overall, your experience will likely be amazing, exciting, and transformative – but some days will be challenging.
If you experience reactions like anxiety, anger, helplessness, and frustration, remember this is a normal reaction to a new culture.
Comparisons are welcome but negative judgments should be avoided. Practice flexibility, resourcefulness, self-reliance, and respect for others.
A new culture is intriguing and exciting, but may also be frustrating, confusing, and tiring. Your emotional resilience and ability to embrace differences are key to adaptation.
Overall, your experience will likely be amazing, exciting, and transformative – but some days will be challenging.
If you experience reactions like anxiety, anger, helplessness, and frustration, remember this is a normal reaction to a new culture.
Comparisons are welcome but negative judgments should be avoided. Practice flexibility, resourcefulness, self-reliance, and respect for others.
How can I make the most of my time abroad?
Your time will go by fast! There is much to explore. Here are some ways to make the most of it:
- Walking tours
- People watching in public spaces
- Museum visits
- Food classes
- Dance lessons
- Music lessons
- Volunteering
- Concerts and musical events
- Sporting events
- Religious ceremonies
- Local clubs through your university or study abroad provider
- Field trips and cultural activities coordinated by your program
- Find a language partner and practice the local language
- Keep a journal or blog and reflect on your experiences
What does it mean to represent TCU abroad?
Going abroad is your chance to live the TCU mission statement: to think and act as an ethical leader and responsible citizen in the global community.
Treat your study abroad location, and the locations you visit, as your home, not as places set up for your entertainment. Treat people as members of your community, not “others.” Some tips include:
Be a respectful traveler:
- Learn a few words of the language, such as "please" and "thank you"
- Assume good intentions from the people you meet. What you assume to be rudeness may simply be different norms
- Limit use of natural resources (water, electricity, etc.)
- Treat subjects with respect and dignity
- Get the consent of people you photograph, especially children
- Respect the culture and privacy of others
- Share photos responsibly
- Seek to understand, rather than judge
- Ask questions
- Laugh at your mistakes
Exploring
Tips from former students
Check out these tips from TCU's VISA Corps
Can I travel in my free time?
Yes, if approved by your specific program.
Be sure to report travel outside the city
How can I learn more about the culture?
We hope your goal is to learn about and respect cultural differences, to continually be curious and open-minded, and to discover your own identity as a global citizen.
What does it mean to learn more about another culture? We often think it means seeing new sites, trying new foods, and experiencing new lifestyles. That’s a big part of it! But we also have to be open to many other things that are new to us – things that are harder to pinpoint and harder to understand, like new ways of interacting and new habits. And above all, it involves trying to see things from new perspectives.
Sometimes doing these new things will feel strange or silly; sometimes you’ll make mistakes. But if you keep trying, you’ll grow personally and connect cross-culturally!
For some specific tips and ideas, see our Cultural Learning guide!
What does it mean to learn more about another culture? We often think it means seeing new sites, trying new foods, and experiencing new lifestyles. That’s a big part of it! But we also have to be open to many other things that are new to us – things that are harder to pinpoint and harder to understand, like new ways of interacting and new habits. And above all, it involves trying to see things from new perspectives.
Sometimes doing these new things will feel strange or silly; sometimes you’ll make mistakes. But if you keep trying, you’ll grow personally and connect cross-culturally!
For some specific tips and ideas, see our Cultural Learning guide!
How do I cope with culture shock and homesickness?
When you go abroad, the “rules” for behaving and the “meanings” behind attitudes and actions change. They can seem confusing, strange, and even stupid. This reaction is called “culture shock.” Culture shock is a normal response to living in a new environment, and you may experience feelings of isolation, confusion, superiority, and negativity. You might even have physical reactions such as fatigue, depression, or listlessness.
This is all normal, and signals that you are having a deep experience which can be transformative.
For more information, including tips on coping with culture shock, see our Homesickness Flyer.
This is all normal, and signals that you are having a deep experience which can be transformative.
For more information, including tips on coping with culture shock, see our Homesickness Flyer.
Alcohol and Drug Concerns
What are the dangers of drinking abroad?
Alcohol use is the primary cause of student accident, injury, victimization, and arrest abroad.
American students who have been drinking are not only seen as disrespectful, they are often targeted by both criminals and police alike, potentially leading to:- being a victim of crimes such as theft and assault.
- Students may become lost and disoriented, becoming vulnerable to crimes of opportunity.
- being arrested for public intoxication, among other crimes.
- Students are expected to comply with all federal, state, and local laws while abroad. If students are arrested for breaking the law in a foreign country, neither TCU, the program leaders, program providers, nor the U.S. Department of State can help. The laws of the host country prevail, without exception, in all situations.
- being dismissed from the program.
- Students must adhere to any rules set by the program leaders, program providers, or housing facilities.
What are the dangers of drug possession or use?
The use or possession of narcotics or any other illegal substance on the program is expressly prohibited. Student use or possession of controlled substances abroad may be punishable by severe penalties (including arrest, prosecution, and dismissal from the program).
According to the US Department of State, several hundred US citizens are arrested abroad on drug charges every year.
Students are expected to comply with all federal, state, and local laws while abroad. If students are arrested for breaking the law in a foreign country, neither TCU, the program leaders, program providers, nor the U.S. Department of State can help. The laws of the host country prevail, without exception, in all situations.
What are the legal consequences of misusing alcohol or drugs?
Many other countries have much harsher laws against public intoxication, alcohol abuse, and use or possession of drugs. Legal sanctions pertaining to the use and possession of even the smallest amounts of illegal substances tend to be extremely severe.
U.S. authorities have no control or ability to assist a U.S. citizen found to be in violation of local law. In many countries, no distinction is made between personal use or possession and distribution or sale; in many developing countries, penalties can be life imprisonment or execution. Even associating with drug users can be very dangerous. U.S. laws and due process do not protect you abroad.
Help!
Who do I call for help?
You have lots of resources available to help you:
- Your on-site leaders and staff
- On Call International (TCU's Global Assistance Provider): 1-603-952-2062 . For more information, see the On Call Resource Hub.
- TCU: 1-817-257-0000 or emergencyabroad@tcu.edu for serious emergencies
What do I do if I have been harassed or assaulted?
First and foremost, it is not your fault.
We encourage you to contact your program leaders and seek medical and legal assistance.
If you do not feel comfortable speaking with your in-country program leaders, contact TCU:
- TCU Confidential CARE Advocate care.tcu.edu 817-257-5225
- TCU Police (24 hours): 817-257-7777
- TCU Office of Institutional Equity, oie@tcu.edu or oie.tcu.edu
What do I do if my passport is lost or stolen?
Contact On Call to help you locate the closest U.S. embassy to replace a lost or stolen passport. Visit the U.S. Department of State website for more information.
If your passport is stolen, report it to the local police.
What if I become sick while abroad?
Contact On Call at +1 603-952-2062 and also contact your local on-site staff. On Call provides emergency services, medical referrals, and insurance while abroad.
If you need minor medical care, be prepared to pay up front. After receiving care, you can submit a claim to On Call for reimbursement. If you prefer and have time to wait, you can contact On Call to schedule an appointment and prepay for your medical services.