Veritas Christian Study Abroad

Veritas Christian Study Abroad is an inter-denominational study abroad program committed to helping students become culturally-aware people of faith who recognize their opportunities to live as global followers of Christ. We affirm the Apostle’s Creed as a historically understood statement of basic Christian beliefs. The leadership of Veritas Christian Study Abroad and the Veritas Mentors in each of our locations identify as Protestant Evangelical Christians. We recognize that within this identification, there are a variety of denominations and doctrinal distinctions that we hope will lead to students having healthy inquiry and faith discussions as they explore the world on an ISA Veritas program. Veritas Christian Study Abroad is not a church. We strive to help students identify a church home while abroad that honors and fosters their identity as a follower of Christ.

Academic Sponsor: California Baptist University

Veritas Christian Study Abroad welcomes California Baptist University as our official academic sponsor. Veritas Christian Study Abroad is a unique opportunity for students who are mission-minded to engage in cross-cultural ministry while fulfilling degree requirements. Our desire is to offer academic programs of the highest quality while supporting a student’s spiritual needs. Students who study abroad with Veritas will receive course credit from fully-accredited universities abroad and from our academic sponsor, California Baptist University (CBU). CBU provides transcripts for the Veritas course (Comparative Religions) and practicum (Global Ministry Practicum). See the Veritas Statement of Faith.

About California Baptist University

Founded in 1950, CBU is a member of the Council for Christian Colleges and Universities (CCCU). Today, CBU boasts an enrollment of over 4,100 campus students in 90 undergraduate majors and 25 graduate programs. Named “2011 Best Regional University” by U.S. News and World Report, CBU is accredited by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges, as well as the California Commission on Teacher Credentialing, the Association of Collegiate Business Schools and Programs, the National Association of Schools of Music, the State of California Board of Registered Nursing, the Commission on Accreditation of Athletic Training Education, the Commission on Collegiate Nursing Education, and the Board of Registered Nurses.

Standards of Best Practices

Additionally, Veritas Christian Study Abroad is committed to all programs adhering to the recognized standards of best practices in the field of study abroad. Therefore, all programs will be regularly assessed on the basis of the Standards of Good Practice for Education Abroad, developed by the Forum on Education Abroad. These standards include baseline expectations regarding academic integrity, learning environments, health and safety, student conduct and advising, and student learning and development.

Summary Information Regarding Academic Transcripts

• Veritas students take courses at accredited universities in each host city
• Only the Veritas-specific courses are transcripted by CBU
• Veritas-specific course professors are approved by CBU
• Veritas students receive two transcripts on each program (one from the fully-accredited host institution and one from CBU)
• Transcripts are accompanied by a cover letter explaining credit equivalency.

Program Inclusions

On a Veritas program, students receive on-site spiritual support from a Veritas Mentor who helps make their time abroad a spiritually engaging and growing experience. Their Veritas Mentor also engages students in Christian community through connecting them with a local church and other ministry opportunities. In addition to a Veritas Mentor, ministry opportunities, and an extra course, your Veritas program includes:

• Tuition
• Guaranteed, pre-arranged housing including internet
• Comprehensive health and travel insurance
• Services of local TEAN support staff throughout the semester
• 4-day Orientation Excursion Program with meals, excursions, accommodations and transportation
• Local SIM card
• Cultural events and catch ups during the semester such as attending a rugby match
• Access to unique and exciting optional mid-semester excursions
• Extensive pre-departure advising
• University and course selection advice
• Official academic transcripts from host institution
• Credit approval and transfer assistance
• Help with student visa preparation (if needed)
• Financial aid transfer planning
• Airport pickup and reception upon arrival at TEAN Orientation and in host city
• Student association fees
• Host university orientation
• Farewell Dinner at conclusion of program

Veritas Christian Study Abroad is an inter-denominational study abroad program committed to helping students become culturally-aware people of faith who recognize their opportunities to live as global followers of Christ. We affirm the Apostle’s Creed as a historically understood statement of basic Christian beliefs. The leadership of Veritas Christian Study Abroad and the Veritas Mentors in each of our locations identify as Protestant Evangelical Christians. We recognize that within this identification, there are a variety of denominations and doctrinal distinctions that we hope will lead to students having healthy inquiry and faith discussions as they explore the world on an Veritas program. Veritas Christian Study Abroad is not a church. We strive to help students identify a church home while abroad that honors and fosters their identity as a follower of Christ.

Our Students

Students on Veritas Christian Study Abroad programs come from diverse Christian backgrounds and a variety of college experiences: some from private or Christian universities and others from secular or state universities.