Study Abroad

All Westfield State students that meet the following criteria are eligible to study abroad:

• Must be a degree-seeking matriculated student at Westfield State
• Must be in good academic standing
• Cannot have any outstanding conduct violations
• For first-time students: at least two semesters completed at Westfield State
• For transfer students: at least one semester completed at Westfield State

Each program has its own GPA requirement. This requirement is set by the program itself and cannot be waived by the International Programs Office.

Please note that most programs are restricted to students pursuing an undergraduate degree.

In order to maintain their status as an active Westfield State student, students are eligible to study abroad for two semesters. However, students that demonstrate success abroad - as determined by the Director of International Programs - may petition for up to a total of four semesters abroad. Students may not spend more than the equivalent of two academic years abroad. Additionally, students may only study abroad at the same institution for up to one academic year. 

Students studying abroad are subject to all Westfield State graduation policies. Students may be permitted to study abroad during their final semester, with the understanding that their diploma will be delayed until their transcript from studying abroad is received and processed and that they will only be able to walk in the ceremony if they meet Westfield State's requirements.

• All application fees paid to Westfield State are non-refundable. In the case that a student's program is cancelled by the institution or provider after they have paid the Westfield State application fee, they are able to apply to a new program without paying an additional fee.
• It is the student's responsibility to inform both International Programs and their host institution or provider if they plan to withdraw.
• For students that withdraw after making a payment, Westfield State can only provide a refund of any paid program fees if and when the host institution or provider releases the student from financial obligation and provides a refund to Westfield State.
• Students are responsible for any associated fees tied to their withdrawal from a study abroad program.
• Students that withdraw from their study abroad program after the end of the add/drop period at Westfield State will not be able to take courses on campus for the semester. Students will only be able to join Session B courses if they are available and unfilled. No special permissions can be given. External tuition paid for a study abroad program does not cover tuition that would be owed to Westfield State.
• Students that choose to withdraw from their study abroad program and receive financial aid are responsible for meeting with the Office of Financial Aid and addressing any changes to their award.
• Any and all scholarships granted specifically for study abroad programs will be forfeited if the student chooses to withdraw. If the money has already been disbursed, students are responsible for paying the amount back. 

University-sponsored travel courses are not permitted to take place in destinations bearing State Department Travel Advisories of Level 3 or 4. Westfield State students participating in study abroad programs that are not sponsored by the University may petition to travel to a destination bearing a Level 3 Advisory, but only with an approved provider.

In some cases, the State Department posts Travel Advisories for certain areas of a country, but not the country as a whole. In these cases, faculty leaders and students may appeal for permission to travel ONLY in areas deemed safe for travel by the State Department. 

Similarly, Westfield State tracks CDC Travel Health Notices and follows the same procedure for Level 3 or 4 Notices.