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Global Hawks

An immersive travel experience for first and second-year students.

At UHart, we want our students to have the opportunity to explore beyond our campus, as we believe this helps students better understand what it means to be a global citizen. Offering an affordable study abroad opportunity for our first and second-year students each May provides students with the chance to participate in a life-changing adventure before settling into summer commitments. This all-inclusive program serves as an introduction to study abroad, and immerses students in another culture with their fellow UHart Hawks. All first and second-year students are eligible to participate and encouraged to apply. 

Students can choose one of four locations:

  • Iceland/Prague
  • Rabat, Morocco
  • Rome, Italy
  • Seville, Spain

Program Details

Study abroad students in Italy

Application Deadlines: Priority deadline is November 15, Final application deadline is December 1 

Cost: $3,950 with $80,000 in scholarships available*

  • Includes: tuition, flight, housing, in-country excursions, international health insurance, and some meals
  • Does NOT Include: some meals and personal expenses


*100% of the students who participated last year received a scholarship, with some scholarship awards as high as $2,250.

Travel Locations and dates:

  • Iceland/Prague (TBD, within the dates of May 9-26, 2024)
  • Rabat, Morocco (TBD, within the dates of May 9-26, 2024)
  • Rome, Italy (TBD, within the dates of May 9-26, 2024)
  • Seville, Spain (TBD, within the dates of May 9-26, 2024)

Want to learn more? 

Email us at uhabroad@hartford.edu

Exploring Your Destination

Students can look forward to these possible excursions and a service project:

Reykjavik, Iceland

  • Private guided city tour 
  • Visit to Hallgrimskirkja Church Tower 
  • Tour of Einar Jonsson Sculture Garden
  • Full day guided excursion to the Golden Circle
  • Optional excursion to Blue Lagoon (approx. $100/person)
Prague, Czech Republic
  • Private guided city tour 
  • Prague Castle
  • St Vitus Cathedral
  • Old Royal Palace
  • St. George's Basilica
  • Golden Lane
  • Daliborka Tower
  • Rosenberg Palace
  • Full day guided excursion to Cesky Krumlov
  • Excursion to Kutna Hora

Students can look forward to these possible excursions and a service project:

Rabat

  • Guided tour of Rabat
  • Modern Art Museum
  • Artisanal Workshop 
  • Boat Riding tour
  • Excursion to Chafchaouen
Casablanca
  • Full day excursion to Casablanca with guided tour
  • Guided visit to The Jewish Museum
  • Tour of Casablanca Mosque-Hassan II
Marrakech
  • Guided tour of Marrakech
  • Visit to Bahia Palace
  • Visit to the Koranic School

Students can look forward to these possible excursions and a service project:

Rome

  • Colloseum
  • Forum Romanum
  • Palatine Hill
  • Vatican Museum and Sistine Chapel
  • St. Peter's Basilica including Grottos
 
Naples
  • Pompeii/Herculaneum
  • Archaeological Museum of Naples
  • Hands-on cooking class making a pizza
 
Amalfi Coast
  • Sorrento
  • Paestum with visit to ancient Greek temple ruins and museum
  • Guided tour of Tenuta Vannulo Buffalo Mozzarella Farm

Students can look forward to these possible excursions and a service project:

  • Maria Luisa Park & Plaza de Espana
  • Royal Alcazar
  • Sevilla Cathedral & Giralda Tower
  • Workshop learning to cook local cuisine
  • Palace Lebrija
  • Flamenco performance
  • Tapas tour
  • Day trip to Cadiz-Torre Tavira
  • Day trip to Playa de la Caleta

Application Instructions

Students traveling abroad

Students who are interested in applying should follow these steps:

First: Create a free account on the Via TRM Platform (This must be done before you can begin an application)

There are two ways to create a free account on the Via TRM Platform:

  1. Go to the main page of the application portal, click "Sign up," create the account, login, click on "Programs" at the top of the screen, search for one of the four programs using "Global Hawks in Iceland/Prague, Italy, Morocco, Spain" and click "Apply Now" and complete the application including selecting alternate program locations and then submit the application for review.

  2. Click on any of the four direct program links above, select "Request to Apply," then either create an account or sign in if you already have an account. It will then show you the option to click "Apply Now" for you to fill in the application, choose alternate programs, and submit the application for review. 

Then: Visit the program page of your first choice and apply. You may only apply for one program but please indicate at the end of your application your second and third choices.

There is a $500 program deposit required as part of the application. Instructions for making the deposit are in the application.

Benefits of Study Abroad

If you're wondering if studying abroad is a right fit for you, we wanted to share with you some benefits students have seen from studying abroad:

  • Only 11% of college students from the United States study abroad. It's an excellent opportunity to set yourself apart after graduation.
  • Students have the opportunity to get to know other first and second-year students in a brand new environment.
  • Studies show that students who study abroad tend to have higher GPAs, graduate faster, and are hired more quickly with greater salaries than students who choose not to study abroad. 
  • Get to know faculty and staff on campus who can help you along in your UHart journey and beyond!

Faculty-Led Program Policies

Completed applications will be reviewed in January. Only completed applications will be considered: a completed application includes the finished electronic application and a program deposit (details below). Students who apply by the priority deadline Nov. 15 will have first choice in terms of program location. Once a program has filled, we will assign students to their second or third choice location based on who completed their application first. If all programs fill, remaining students will be placed on a waiting list. The final application deadline is Dec. 1, 2023.

  • Good Academic Standing - students must have a minimum 2.5 cumulative GPA after the fall semester to participate in the program.  If you do not have a 2.5 GPA, you may be removed from the program if there is a waiting list.
  • Good Student Conduct Standing - students cannot be under active judicial sanctions while abroad (however, the existence of a disciplinary record does not necessarily exclude you from participating, but will be considered while your application is being reviewed).  Please keep this in mind during your first year - examples of sanctions could be alcohol or drug violations, safety violations in the dorms, etc.  
  • Good Financial Standing - students cannot have any registration holds or bursar restrictions at time of application and registration.  Applicants with outstanding balances of $1,000+ and/or holds on their accounts will not be considered until the balance is paid down and/or the hold is removed

If you are concerned about your GPA, student conduct and/or financial standing, please contact the International Center at uhabroad@hartford.edu.

There is a $500 program deposit required as part of the application. Instructions for making deposits are found on the application in your Via TRM account. Please speak directly with the International Center if a payment plan would be helpful.

Scholarships will be awarded to students once applications are processed on Dec. 15, 2023. The balance of the program cost after any scholarships are awarded is due by the final payment deadline of Friday, February 9, 2024. Students who do not pay by the deadline may incur a $150 late fee and will not be registered for the program until the balance is paid in full. If there is a waiting list, failure to pay the program balance may mean losing your spot on the program. There is a second payment of $1,000 due on Jan. 15, 2024.

Program deposits and payments can be made online or on campus at the Center for Student Success (CSS), located on the main floor of Gengras Student Union (GSU). The International Center cannot process payment.  

  • On-campus payments: The University of Hartford accepts cash, personal checks, money orders or traveler's checks at the CSS. Please make sure checks are made payable to the UNIVERSITY OF HARTFORD.  When paying in person at the CSS, make sure your payment is applied to "Off-Campus Study Deposit."
  • Online payments: The University of Hartford accepts E-check (ACH) and Credit Card payments online through the Transact (previously known as CASHNet) site on the Self-Service platform. Accepted credit cards are Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express. There is no fee to make payment using e-check, but credit card payments made through Transact SmartPay will have a service charge attached (approximately 2.85% of the transaction amount for domestic debit or credit cards and 4.25% of the transaction amount for international debit or credit cards).

These are the steps for making a payment online through the Self-Service

  1. Log into your account
  2. Choose "Pay Your Bill/Transact" from the list
  3. Scroll down to "Available Items"
  4. Choose "Off-Campus Study Deposit"
  5. Enter the amount ($500)
  6. Click "add to payment"
  7. Choose the payment option and submit payment

Please inform the International Center if you choose to withdraw your application prior to Jan. 5, 2024. There is no penalty if you notify the International Center prior to this deadline. Once officially accepted by the International Center into the program, students become subject to the standard cancellation policy as follows:

  • Program cancellations must be in writing
  • Refunds and cost liability are determined based on the date when written cancellation notice is received from the participant
  • If a student withdraws before the application deadline, the program deposit will be refunded
  • If a student withdraws after the application deadline and 14 days or more prior to the program start date, the University of Hartford will refund only those fees that the University of Hartford has not incurred on behalf of the student
  • If a student withdraws 13 days or less prior to the program start date, no refund will be issued

Please be aware that the stress of travel and adjusting to a new culture can exacerbate certain physical, psychological or emotional conditions. It is important to consult with your physician and/or counselor/therapist to discuss how studying abroad may impact you.  Addressing health concerns with your provider(s) prior to studying abroad will help you identify resources available to you while abroad. Please note that resources overseas vary widely based on location, and accommodations you have in the U.S. are not guaranteed abroad. Eligibility for the program is in no way determined by any health diagnosis. Sharing any health concerns or diagnoses with your program leaders is strongly encouraged, but by no means obligatory, so that they may be better able to provide you with support to help ensure a rewarding experience.