Getting Started
Tips for completing the go requirement by Suitcase Sal
Getting Started
With the cross-cultural component of a Susquehanna education, you'll go far (unless you decide to stay close). Whether near or far, all SU students GO off-campus for cross-cultural learning and return for reflection at some point during their four years.
Susquehanna's distinctive cross-cultural program is called GO (Global Opportunities). You could GO Short, traveling for two weeks or more with SU faculty and staff program directors. You could GO Long on a semester-length program. Or you can GO Your Way by proposing your own cross-cultural experience.
GO Short opportunities travel over winter and summer breaks to 6 continents, and include opportunities to experience unique cultures right here in the United States. GO Long opportunities include programs around the globe. Sites in South America, Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia are popular among Susquehanna students.
With GO, you’ll be able to transform powerful off-campus experiences into profound discovery and personal growth through critical reflection with a faculty member upon your return.
SEARCH FOR PROGRAMS
Below are timelines for each GO option:
GO Short:
GO Long:
First-year students:
One year before study away:
GO Your Way (GOYW):
There are 4 types of GO Your Way programs: Summer Schools, Internships/Volunteer programs, Study Programs, or self-designed. The only one where you would create your program from scratch is through a self-designed. The others are done through an organization that helps you with the logistics, like a study abroad, internship, or volunteer organization. Summer Schools are at our partner universities – we send students there for GO Long, but they also have summer schools available.
A cross-cultural experience can mean traveling to a different country to experience a new culture, but you can also complete a significant immersion program within your own country. To start looking for programs, consider places that you've always wanted to visit or issues that you're interested in learning more about.
First-year students:
Getting Started
With the cross-cultural component of a Susquehanna education, you'll go far (unless you decide to stay close). Whether near or far, all SU students GO off-campus for cross-cultural learning and return for reflection at some point during their four years.
Susquehanna's distinctive cross-cultural program is called GO (Global Opportunities). You could GO Short, traveling for two weeks or more with SU faculty and staff program directors. You could GO Long on a semester-length program. Or you can GO Your Way by proposing your own cross-cultural experience.
GO Short opportunities travel over winter and summer breaks to 6 continents, and include opportunities to experience unique cultures right here in the United States. GO Long opportunities include programs around the globe. Sites in South America, Europe, Southeast Asia and Australia are popular among Susquehanna students.
With GO, you’ll be able to transform powerful off-campus experiences into profound discovery and personal growth through critical reflection with a faculty member upon your return.
SEARCH FOR PROGRAMS
Below are timelines for each GO option:
GO Short:
- Prior to applying, students should: Attend the GO Fair in the beginning of the fall semester to learn about programs.
- Speak with program directors and returned students for first-hand insights.
- Visit the GO Program to talk with a GO advisor.
- Get a passport ASAP if traveling abroad!
- Apply to the program of your choice - for more information, see How to Apply to GO.
GO Long:
First-year students:
- Attend an information session or meet with one of our GO advisors.
- Research programs.
- Discuss academic and study-away plans with your faculty advisor.
- If studying away second semester sophomore year (the earliest possible semester), submit the "GO Long Application for Permission to Study Off-Campus for a Semester" application by Nov. 15.
- Get a passport ASAP!
One year before study away:
- Submit the "GO Long Application for Permission to Study Off-Campus for a Semester" application by Nov. 15 of the academic year before studying away.
- The semester before departing begin to complete the program's specific application once they have received approval from the GO Program.
- Apply for a passport, if not already done.
- Gain pre-approval for courses from study away to transfer back to Susquehanna.
- Ensure that all documents have been submitted to the GO Program so credits will transfer, housing will be secured upon return and financial aid will apply.
- Attend the required GO preparation class and all mandatory meetings and workshops.
GO Your Way (GOYW):
There are 4 types of GO Your Way programs: Summer Schools, Internships/Volunteer programs, Study Programs, or self-designed. The only one where you would create your program from scratch is through a self-designed. The others are done through an organization that helps you with the logistics, like a study abroad, internship, or volunteer organization. Summer Schools are at our partner universities – we send students there for GO Long, but they also have summer schools available.
A cross-cultural experience can mean traveling to a different country to experience a new culture, but you can also complete a significant immersion program within your own country. To start looking for programs, consider places that you've always wanted to visit or issues that you're interested in learning more about.
First-year students:
- Attend an information session or meet with one of our GO advisors.
- Research programs.
- Discuss academic and study-away plans with your faculty advisor.
- Get a passport ASAP! (if going on an international program)
- Email goprogram@susqu.edu to schedule a meeting to discuss ideas for your GOYW trip.
- Choose a GO Your Way program option
- Applications for summer must be submitted before Feb. 15.
- Applications for winter must be submitted before Sept. 15.
- Application materials can take 2-4 weeks to be processed and usually involve some revisions.
- Gain pre-approval for courses from study away to transfer back to Susquehanna (if applicable).
- Ensure that all documents have been submitted to the GO Program.
- Attend the required GO preparation class and all mandatory meetings and workshops.