<p>"Do most of the schools expect students to continue to pay the US fees despite the much lower costs of studying abroad? In most cases, it would MUCH cheaper to bypass the organized programs."</p>
<p>This does seem to vary from school to school. I know Georgetown recently changed its policy and now requires that you pay the greater of the program cost or Georgetown regular tution. In checking the Duke website it appears that their students pay the program fee plus an administrative fee for the study abroad term (if I remember correctly it is a couple thousand dollars). I think you have to check directly with your school.</p>