Obtaining Academic Credit

Below are listed our recommended steps in order to obtain academic credit for a Cross-Cultural Solutions program.

Academic Advisor Consultation
This is the first and most important step, because each individual college approaches this subject differently. It is critical that you consult your academic advisor (your Study Abroad Office or International Office can also advise you) about academic credit. Your advisor may not be familiar with how many people receive academic credit for international volunteering, and step one is to find out how much they know and whether more information needs to be provided to them so they can help you determine whether you are eligible for credit.
Detailed Academic Program Information PDF format, this document from Cross-Cultural Solutions will aid your academic advisor in determining the amount of credit to award you for the education you will receive by enrolling in a Cross-Cultural Solutions program.
Learning Contract Design
Devise a learning contract to aid you in attaining your goals. Your academic advisor and your host institution can assist you in refining this contract. The contract may include, but is not limited to the following:

Learning Objectives & Methods
Consider your learning objectives and the methods by which you can attain these objectives.

Evaluative Method
In consultation with your advisor, determine the mode in which your learning will be evaluated.
Final Report
You may be required to submit a final paper or journal, or your final report may take the form of an oral report.

Checking with the experts at your school
Visit your registrar or academic department to determine the number of credits deemed appropriate for the Cross-Cultural Solutions Program in which you will participate. This number will vary according to the duration of your program and the parameters of your learning contract.
Receiving Financial Aid
When a student maintains registration at his or her home institution, financial aid may be transferable to the Cross-Cultural Solutions program fee and related travel expenses. Since the process of securing and transferring funds varies from one institution to another, students should consult a financial aid advisor to determine the policies and procedures that pertain to them.
Applying for Grants or Scholarships
Many Cross-Cultural Solutions volunteers have had success funding their trips through grants and sponsorships. This kind of fundraising not only promotes awareness, but can make possible the opportunity of a lifetime. View a sample grant proposal of a past volunteer who successfully raised funds to finance his trip. Check with your school. Scholarships are often available for service-oriented activities.
Other Options for Academic Credit
Cross-Cultural Solutions can provide you with an Academic Program Description of the Intern Abroad program. We recommend that you first meet with your academic advisor to determine whether your college will grant credit for your internship. In the event that they will not grant credit, there are other options for obtaining academic credit. Click here for other options.