FAQ

When is the total payment due?

Most programs ask you to put in a deposit ($250-450) at the time of application to officially hold your spot. The best practice is making sure that you are financially ready at the same time, by the application due date, to cover your total expense that includes both your program fee and other personal costs (such as international flight and optional excursions). Final payment due date is usually a few days or weeks after the application due date and varies depending on the program; if you want to know the specific due date of a particular program, make sure to check in with your coordinator.

When should I get started and when should I get in touch with the coordinator about a program?

As soon as possible! To be successful with your application, we have a two-step approach and filling out the above-mentioned materials is only step one. I recommend you making an appointment with me when you have your preliminary application ready, and discuss your needs and plan with me during our meeting. If everything works out, I will have additional, program-specific paperwork for you. To officially complete the application process, you need to budget two to three weeks turn-around time. The best practice is getting started six to nine month before program departure so that your coordinator can put you under the radar. This is particularly important if you plan to use your financial aid towards part of your program expense and/or apply for a study abroad scholarship.

How do I estimate the total cost?

The program cost posted on the program page usually covers lodging, planned group excursions and bus pass. Your international airfare, Bellevue College tuition, and personal expense are usually excluded from that amount. Your study abroad coordinator can give you a budget request sheet with a total estimation of program cost.

Do I need to be fluent in the language spoken in that country?

No. We don’t have language fluency as our pre-requisite. Courses will be taught by a faculty coming from a Washington community college and will be offered in English. In some cases, we have a third course offered by a local faculty but that’s usually also offered in English, or at least co-taught by the local faculty and our Washington community college faculty traveling with the group. Having said so, if you have some knowledge of the local language, your experience will be no doubt greatly enhanced.

I am a running start student. Can I participate in the study abroad program?

Study abroad programs are open to running start students as long as they have:

  • completed two-quarters of full-time study (or completion of 12 college-level credits) by the time of program departure at Bellevue College;
  • cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher

If you fulfill that two pre-requisite, you are eligible to apply! You will need, however, to check in with your study abroad coordinator on specific program’s age requirement. Running Start students are encouraged to check with their high school counselor and BC Running Start coordinator to make sure that the study abroad program courses and other program details comply with all policies relevant to their participation in the program.

If you want to participate in a summer study abroad program, there might be one additional form you should fill out with your high school running start program coordinator before the end of spring. Check in with your running start coordinator on that.

I am an international student. Can I participate in the study abroad program?

Study abroad programs are open to international students as long as they have:

  • completed two-quarters of full-time study (or completion of 12 college-level credits) by the time of program departure at Bellevue College;
  • cumulative GPA of 2.5 or higher

If you fulfill that two pre-requisite, you are eligible to apply! You will need, however, to make sure to check on your own about what kind of visa you need to apply in order to be part of the program, and secure the visa.

Last Updated December 14, 2022