Study Abroad & Away

Each year Centre offers faculty-led semester 'flagship' programs in Strasbourg, France; Mérida, Mexico; and London, England. Centre students regularly participate in Centre-approved semester programs in Bhutan, China, Ecuador, England, France, Germany, Japan, Mexico, Northern Ireland, Scotland, South Africa, Spain, and Taiwan. Centre also offers internship semester programs in New York City and Washington D.C. In addition, students may participate in faculty-led CentreTerm or summer study abroad/away courses.

You may also participate in specialized, short-term January programs, named CentreTerm, which change locations each winter. Centre's summer programs normally last three weeks. There are many Kentucky Institute for International Studies (KIIS) programs as well; about 24 KIIS programs are offered each summer. 

If you’re more domestically minded, Centre runs a study away program in Washington, D.C. and New York City. 

You are not allowed to study abroad during your first year on campus, but we welcome and encourage you to study abroad during sophomore, junior, and/or senior year. There is no right or wrong time to study abroad, though certain factors, such as academic requirements and sports schedules, may influence your decision. 

You should be aware that although Centre does guarantee you the opportunity to study abroad, we cannot guarantee that you can study abroad in the particular program and at the particular time of your choosing. We encourage you to drop by Centre Global in Old Carnegie to discuss options and the application process.

New study abroad programs and locations to be offered in CentreTerm will be presented at the annual "Unveiling" event. All students are encouraged to attend to learn more about the details of these programs. 

Study abroad applications for the following academic year (Fall, CentreTerm, Spring) will open online after this event and are accepted until early February. Exact dates for the upcoming cycle can be found at Important Dates.

Semester study abroad and away applications are awarded points and ranked by the following factors: graduation year, GPA, prior study abroad selection, strength of essays, and recommendations (all of which are reviewed by a program-specific sub-committee of faculty and staff). 

Semester programs have a limited number of spots available and vary widely in their competitiveness. Students should be aware that applying for a program does not guarantee selection for that program. If you are not selected for a program you will be placed on an official waitlist. In the event that another student withdraws we will contact you to promote you from the waitlist and offer you a spot on the program.

Centre has endowed funds designated to help some students on need-based financial aid to cover some additional costs of study abroad programs. Also, rising seniors who receive need-based financial aid and have unmet need (or “gap”) and who have not yet studied abroad or away before their final year may be eligible to receive a Senior Subsidy to help pay for a CentreTerm or summer program during their senior year.