Preview FAQs

Preview classes begin in the Spring term, and field study travel is planned for March 2022. 

Full-time first-year students and full-time transfer students who enter the University in spring, summer or fall participate in Preview during the following spring semester.  You must maintain good academic and disciplinary standing prior to departure.

As for the Covid-19 vaccine question- the short answer is "yes, you need to be fully vaccinated against Covid-19 to participate in Preview," although there may be some domestic travel options for those who have secured a vaccine exemption from Arcadia for medical or religious reasons. Please read the policy here:

It is expected that all participants in university-sponsored domestic or international travel will be compliant with the University's Interim COVID-19 Vaccination Policy. Those who have not complied with the Policy will be ineligible to participate in such travel. Those who have complied with the Policy by securing an approved exemption from the vaccination requirement based on a medical condition or religious belief may face some limitations on travel based on factors such as, but not limited to, safety risk to unvaccinated travelers and/or restrictions on unvaccinated travelers at the travel destination, which may not allow for exemptions or which may impose additional requirements that are not the same as the University's. The specific circumstances of the travel will be evaluated by the Travel Advisory Committee. Before applying to participate in travel programs, individuals with questions related to vaccination status should contact globalengagement@arcadia.edu.

Passports

Passports are required for all international travel, and you will need to submit a copy to Global Engagement. The deadline for providing a passport copy is November 12th. We strongly recommend that students request expedited passport processing (additional fee applies) for new passport applications and renewals because regular processing time is now over 4 months. If you currently have a passport, be sure the expiration date is at least 6 months after your return date.

Passport application available through the U.S. State Department website.

Please see this excerpt from the Preview Enrollment Agreement on travel documentation, including valid US passports:

Proper Travel Documentation: I understand that it is my responsibility to have all travel documents necessary for domestic and/or international program travel. For international travel, this includes a valid passport for the duration of my time abroad and for any required amount of time after I return as stipulated by the immigration policy of my host country. I agree to obtain any and all visa and clearances prior to my time abroad and ensure I have obtained the proper authorization to study in my host country. I understand that Arcadia University is not responsible for any decisions made by foreign embassies or consulates regarding approval of visa documentation and/or immigration clearance. I understand that the failure to obtain required travel documents by stated program deadlines, posted at www.arcadia.edu/global/preview-first-year-and-transfer-students/preview-faqs, may result in my removal from the program and that I may be responsible for non-recoverable costs incurred by Arcadia University on my behalf. 

Visas

U.S. citizens do not require visas for short visits to most locations. If you hold a passport from a country other than the U.S.,  you'll need to check on requirements and Global Engagement can help you. Note for U.S. "green card" holders, the passport determines visa requirements. Locations requiring a Visa for U.S. citizens will be noted in the Preview announcement and course description.

The Preview program fee is $795. This fee covers air and ground transportation, programmed events, accommodations, and some meals. You can pay this fee online through Self-Service or in-person a the Office of Student Accounts. The deadline for Preview fee payment is November 5th. 

You are responsible for passport/visa fees, meals, and incidental expenses including the cost of a passport (and visa, where applicable), lunch, dinner, souvenirs, and individual activities. Costs will vary among sites, but $50 per day is a modest budget. Past students report spending $250 to $500, depending on their habits and preferences. 

If eligible for Preview, you will be notified by email in early fall with an invitation to apply.  You will need to indicate your top three course preferences, and you will be asked to write a brief personal statement which explains your interest in a particular course.  Your statements will be reviewed and considered as part of your placement, and students will receive Preview placement information by email in mid-October.

Students completing Preview courses will earn two credits. Individual faculty lead the curriculum. Preview is open to first-year and transfer students in all majors.

Global Engagement and university partners arrange all travel logistics. Arcadia books group flights leaving from local airports. Accommodations vary in each location, but are clean, basic and safe, and students room together in groups of 2-4. 

Each faculty leader will announce class times and frequency, but expect to meet weekly. 

Faculty direct the curriculum and are accompanied by other Arcadia employees who mentor you throughout the experience. Global Engagement provides pre-departure guidance on the logistics, health and safety, passport and/or visa regulations, health concerns, costs, weather, and luggage.

Sometimes, Arcadia needs to change Preview travel plans in order to keep everyone as safe as possible. Please read this excerpt from the Preview Enrollment Agreement with more information:

Arcadia Reserves the Right to Cancel, Alter, Suspend or Amend. Arcadia University reserves the right to cancel, alter, suspend, or amend any part of any program or to increase fees should circumstances make these actions advisable or necessary. I understand that the program calendar dates posted on the Arcadia University website are tentative in nature, and can change at any time. Arcadia University will alert me of any such changes and will work to minimize any disruption to my planning. 

Students who withdraw on or after the December 1 deadline will not be refunded their Preview fee. Students who are placed on academic or disciplinary probation are not eligible for a refund and may be responsible for paying non-recoverable costs. All withdrawals should be communicated in a timely manner to Global Engagement.

You should take an ATM card that is linked to a bank account for easy access to funds and for the best exchange rate. Your bank may charge small fees for foreign withdrawals and it's important to notify the bank of dates you'll be traveling. Credit cards (VISA or Mastercard) are usually accepted in most locations except for smaller businesses; travelers checks are not advisable.

This opportunity is open to you with or without language competency.