On this page we will outline some of the most frequent questions that students have asked:

Application Questions: 

How do I apply?
What are the Admission Requirements?:
We welcome students from diverse academic backgrounds who meet the following criteria:
  • Open to all majors.
  • Must be at least 18 years old.
  • Currently enrolled in university or recently graduated.
  • Completed at least one semester of university coursework.
  • Both undergraduate and graduate students are eligible to apply.
  • A minimum Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.5 (or 77/100 for international students).
Students with a lower GPA may still apply but must submit an additional letter of reference, preferably from a professor, along with a brief letter of explanation for review by the admissions committee.



Can I get Academic credits?

Will my university accept the academic credits?

How many students are expected to participate?
  • Between 20 and 40 students are expected in the summer session, from a mix of universities across the USA and from around the world. 


Has any student from my university attended before?
  • Likely.  We have alumni from universities in almost all 50 states in the USA. 
  • A partial list of universities can be found on the credit transfer page
  • Don't see your school on the list?  Contact us


How selective is the admissions process?
  • Our admissions process is highly selective to ensure a cohesive and enriching experience for all participants. Summit Global Education attracts students from some of the most prestigious and selective universities in the United States and around the world.
  • To maintain the program’s high standards, we evaluate candidates holistically, focusing not just on academic performance but on qualities such as curiosity, openness to new cultures, and a willingness to learn and engage with diverse perspectives. While GPA is not the sole determinant, we carefully consider whether each applicant is a good fit for the collaborative and immersive nature of our programs.
  • Every applicant undergoes a personal interview to discuss their interests and alignment with the program’s goals. Many candidates also have opportunities to connect with our director, professors, alumni, or current students, ensuring they are fully prepared to join our dynamic international learning community.

Visa Travel Questions:

Do I need a passport?
  • Yes!  All students are required to have a valid passport to attend our programs.
  • Tip: If you don’t have a passport or need to renew it, start the process early, as it can take several weeks.


Do I need a visa?
  • USA Passport Holders:
    • For most programs, a visa is not required for short-term stays.
    • Exception: Starting April 10, 2025, U.S. citizens will need a visa to travel to Brazil.
    • For semester-long programs in Brazil, a Student Visa (Temporary Type IV) is required.
  • Non-USA Passport Holders:
    • Visa requirements depend on your nationality and the program destination. Check with the nearest consulate or embassy for guidance.


If I do need a visa, how can Summit help?
Summit Global Education provides supporting documents to assist with your visa application. These may include:
  • Verification of enrollment in the program.
  • Confirmation of payment in full.
  • Proof of accommodation bookings on your behalf.
Important Steps:
  • Complete your application, pay the $40 application fee, and submit the $500 confirmation payment.
  • Set up a payment plan with Summit.
Refund Policy:
  • If your visa is formally denied, you can request a refund (minus the $40 application fee). To start this process, email director@ SummitGlobalEducation .com with digital copies of the official visa rejection letters.
  • Please see the cancellation policy and the Visa section for more details...

Course Questions:

How many courses can I take?
  • Depending on which session you choose, you can take up to 2 courses (for 6 credits)
  • Please visit our courses page to review the options, and let us know if you have any questions. 


Can I get help with credit-transfer to my university?
  • Yes!  We are here to help! 
  • First step:  visit our credit-transfer page on our website and follow the step-by-step instructions. 
  • Then, put us in contact with your adviser (or professor), we would be happy to talk with them to see if our courses are the right fit for you!


Do I need to learn any languages before going abroad? 
  • No. The only requirement is that you need to be fluent in English (since all of our courses are conducted in English). 
  • But, we highly recommend that each student should work on at least one language before coming abroad.  For example, if you are going to spend 2+ weeks in Barcelona, it might be nice to know a few words in Spanish!  If you are coming to Paris, we highly recommend learning a little French!  For this, we highly recommend all students to download this app to their cell phones (its free and easy!):  https://www.duolingo.com/  
  • In addition, for each country we visit, Summit will help by recommending some simple gestures and etiquette vocabulary to get an understanding of the culture.

Program Questions:

How does the Summit Study Abroad program in Europe work?:  
  • In previous summers, the program began with 2.5 weeks in Barcelona, where students studied on campus at the IQS School of Management, part of Ramon Llull University. After completing this core academic portion, students embarked on an academic traveling journey across Europe. The program then slowed down with another 2.5 weeks of coursework in Prague, hosted on campus at the University of New York in Prague, before concluding with additional travel to Vienna and Budapest.
  • Students can choose from different program sessions with varying start and end dates to fit their summer schedules and preferences.


Which Program/ Session should I take?
  1. Duration: Decide how long you want to be abroad and which cities you’d like to visit.
  2. Course load: If you wish to take two courses, select a session that allows this option.
  3. Course availability: Different courses are offered during different sessions, so review the schedule carefully.
  • If you have questions or need guidance, don’t hesitate to reach out—we’re here to help!


Arrival date - What day should I arrive?
  • We recommend arriving by 11:00 a.m. on the starting date of your program. For example:
  • Students beginning in Barcelona for the Europe Summer program will attend an opening ceremony at 2:00 p.m. Most students arrive early in the morning, though some may arrive a day or two beforehand to relax and settle in.
  • If you plan to arrive early, let us know, and we can assist with accommodation arrangements. While these arrangements are not officially part of the Summit program, we’re happy to provide recommendations and tips for your stay


Departure date - After the program is done, are we allowed to stay longer on our own time?
  • Yes, you’re welcome to extend your stay after the program concludes. Many students choose to explore Europe or Brazil on their own or with family and friends. While this is outside the scope of the Summit program, we’re happy to recommend destinations and provide tips for planning your post-program adventures.


On our free weekends, are we able to travel to a different city / country for a day or two?
  • Yes! Students are encouraged to make the most of their free weekends.
  • We provide a variety of recommendations for activities in the city we’re visiting, including local tours, hikes, museums, and more. However, you are also welcome to travel to nearby cities, beaches, or mountains. We can assist with planning if needed. The only requirement is that you inform us of your plans so we can contact you if needed and that you return in time for Monday’s classes and activities.


Are there any set excursions on the weekends? 
  • Yes, we organize a variety of activities and excursions on weekends, though all are 100% optional.
  • Our events and social coordinator, Maike, arranges many of these activities, including hiking, biking trips, and weekend getaways. If you’d like more details, you can contact him via Facebook Messenger or reach out to us through your preferred method of communication.


If we want to do extracurricular activities, are we allowed?
  • Absolutely! We encourage students to try new activities while traveling. Options include hiking, biking, yoga, beach volleyball, gym memberships, specialized tours, excursions, and more. We’re happy to help you find activities that align with your interests.


Will we have free time (outside of class and organized activities)?
  • Yes, our programs are designed to allow students ample free time to explore the cities and immerse themselves in the local culture. This is especially true for students taking just one course during longer sessions.


Do we have a curfew to return to the apartments during the weekdays?
  • No, there is no curfew. All participants must be at least 18 years old (most are 20+), and as adults, students are free to return to their accommodations at any time. However, we strongly recommend getting enough rest, especially on nights before class.


Accommodations:  Where do we stay?
  • For details about accommodations, please visit the Accommodations page for your program.

More Information: