There are a number of ways for students to gain University or College credit while studying abroad with Cactus Language Training. Credit can be granted for a number of language programs and cultural immersion programs; however, this is entirely dependent on what your academic institution is willing to transfer over. We also offer University programs for those looking to do a summer or semester program abroad, which include courses like Art history or Latin American studies. In all cases, students will have to speak with their academic institutions prior to booking the course to ensure that they will be granted academic credit for their studies abroad.
1. Pre approval of the program from your College and University
Students are able to gain credit from many of our partner schools as long as their academic institution approves the program before they start the course and agrees that the credits are transferable to their home University or College. Prior to booking your course, it is important that you speak with your school’s language department or study abroad department to find out what information they require. In most cases, you will be asked to present a school and course description along with a course syllabus that applies to your current level and any levels that you might complete during the program. The majority of American universities require at least 20 lessons of class hours for 1 semester credit. The number of credits that you can obtain depends entirely on what your University or College is willing to transfer over and how long you are able to study abroad. You will also have to ensure that the language school will be able to create an examination for you to present a final grade of your achieved level to your institution.
Many of our schools have agreements with American institutions and have created their courses following the traditional American college format. For example, the levels range from Beginner (Spanish 101) to Advanced (Spanish 400). Other schools have agreements with European Universities and follow the European format which also ranges from beginners to advanced levels. For example Spanish A1 and Spanish A2 are Beginner 1 and Beginner 2 levels. Many of our partner schools are also recognized the ministry of education in their country which will only solidify the validity of the school.
Important: Credit is granted on a case by case basis which depends entirely on your University or College. Students do not need to pay any fees in addition to the course and accommodation costs that are being paid to Cactus Language Training.
Please contact Adrienne Mansard at adrienne.mansard@cactuslanguage.com for information about the school that interests you. We would be more than happy to help you with any documentation that your university or college requires; however, it is your responsibility to ensure that your academic institution has accepted the program prior to starting the course.
2. Financial Aid for Studying Abroad
Gaining Financial Aid for your Study Abroad program:
There are a number of organizations that provide scholarships and funding for US students wishing to take a study abroad program. In most cases, the scholarships and grants that are available require that your home university or institution approve your study abroad trip before you depart. Here is a selection of some of those organizations you may wish to approach:
Benjamin A. Gilman International Scholarship
The Gilman International Scholarship Program offers study abroad scholarships of up to $8,000 for U.S. undergraduate students receiving the Federal Pell Grant. Scholarships available for Fall, Spring, or Academic Year.
Boren Awards for International Study Funding from the National Security Education Program (NSEP) supports U.S. undergraduate and graduate students to study less commonly taught languages in world regions critical to U.S. interests: Africa, Asia, Central and Eastern Europe, Eurasia, Latin America, and the Middle East . Up to $20,000 for undergraduates and $30,000 for graduate students depending on cost and length of program. Annual Deadline: January for graduate students, February for undergraduates.
IEFA (International Education Financial Aid) IEFA is a resource for financial aid, college scholarship and grant information for US and international students wishing to study abroad. At this site, you will find the most comprehensive college scholarship search and grant listings plus international student loan programs and other information to promote study abroad.
Fulbright Scholarships The Fulbright Program is the flagship international educational exchange program sponsored by the U.S. government and is designed to “increase mutual understanding between the people of the United States and the people of other countries.” With this goal as a starting point, the Fulbright Program has provided almost 300,000 participants—chosen for their academic merit and leadership potential — with the opportunity to study, teach and conduct research, exchange ideas and contribute to finding solutions to shared international concerns.
Many American institutions are not able to grant credit for any University or College level programs if they are not received from institutions that are recognized by US schools. The general prerequisites for American colleges are as follows:
The Institution (s) abroad must be recognized by a National University.
The course (s) abroad must be taught by a University Professor.
The course abroad must be taught on Campus.
A transcript must be submitted to the students home University or College by the institution abroad.
Universidad de Belgrano
This University offers Spanish Immersion courses as either a summer program or a semester program that can range from 4-14 weeks. There is no minimum language level required. If you are studying Spanish as your major in College, you can join a semester program at the Universidad de Belgrano for 17 to 21 weeks.
Universidad Torcuato Di Tella
This University offers students the opportunity to complete a full academic year abroad in Latin American studies, Humanities or Social Studies, all of which are taught in Spanish with both native and non native students. These programs require a lower intermediate Spanish level or above.
Please note: All students must be 18 years or older to qualify and must have high school or secondary school diploma. If you are a current U.S undergraduate student, you must have an accumulative 2.5 GPA score. Students of other nationalities must submit their course grades to be evaluated by the school prior to booking.
Brookhaven College – Multinational Academic Program (MAP)
Many Colleges and Universities do not grant credit for courses abroad if the institution is not affiliated with a US College or University. For those students interested in any of our programs that are not affiliated with American schools, Brookhaven College offers an alternative. This Dallas, Texas based College is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and works directly with a number of private language schools around the world. Their Multinational Academic Program (MAP) was created to give students the opportunity to gain academic credit for their immersion programs and ensures that students are studying the appropriate curriculum.
Please refer to the list below for details as well as the Brookhaven College website for a step by step guide to gaining Credit from Brookhaven College.
It is important that you speak to your academic institution about gaining credit through Brookhaven College to ensure that your home University or College will transfer the credit (s).
Once you have received the approval from your Institution, you must ensure that the length of time that you are planning to study correlates with the number of study weeks that are required through Brookhaven College. There are a number of weeks and class hours required in order to receive the credit and students must book a course that includes at least 20 hours of in class time as well as a number of cultural activities to qualify for credit.
Once you have received the approval from your institution, you can book the Cactus Language course (General – 20 lessons per week) and forward your details along to Brookhaven College who will provide you with the appropriate application for the program you wish to join. All Brookhaven credit applications should be sent it at least 8 weeks prior to the course start date.
An additional fee must be paid directly to Brookhaven College in addition to the Cactus Language Training program fee and can be sent to Brookhaven College along with the application.
Brookhaven College MAP Structure and Fees for 2010 - 2011
Number of Credits
Minimum Number of Weeks of Language Study Required
Number of courses
Brookhaven College MAP Fee
Dallas County Residents
State of Texas Residents
All Others
3 credits
3 weeks
1 or 2
$300
$500
$650
4 credits
3 weeks
5 credits
4 weeks
6 credits
5 weeks
7 credits
6 weeks
8 credits
6 weeks
9 credits
7 weeks
3, 4 or 5
$500
$650
$850
10 credits
8 weeks
11 credits
9 weeks
12 credits
10 weeks
13 credits
11 weeks
14 credits
12 weeks
15 credits
13 weeks
16 credits
14 weeks
17 credits
15 weeks
At the end of your program, the school will send a report to Brookhaven College with information about your final grade and attendance. You must also hand in a final essay.
4. Feedback and Experiences
Travelling abroad to be immersed in a new language and culture can be daunting for both students and their families.
We have been lucky enough to follow 19-year old Dana through her 3-month Japanese course in Tokyo, as well as see what it's like for the people she left behind.
Buenos Aires, Argentina
