Why Study Abroad?
What Programs are Available?
How to Select a Program
Funding for Study Abroad
Approval to Study Away
The Application Process
Confirming your Participation
Timeline

Wellesley College is committed to providing its students with a range of opportunities to prepare them to function successfully in today’s global environment. Study abroad is one such opportunity.

Students at Wellesley College are encouraged to consider carefully how a year, semester or summer abroad might enhance their four-year undergraduate degree program. With appropriate planning, students are able to select an educational program that will provide both solid academics and meaningful exposure to a culture different from their own. To ensure that students are able to benefit fully from a semester or year in a foreign environment, students who plan to study abroad should have:

• established a solid record of scholarship at Wellesley, including good progress toward graduation requirements,
• educated themselves about the range of the approved study abroad options available in order to select programs that clearly fit with their academic and personal interests, and
• gained at least a basic familiarity with their chosen host culture.

While abroad, students are expected to place appropriate emphasis on the academic experience and make every effort to integrate into local student and community life. Students enroll in a full load of courses while abroad and may earn up to 4 units per semester (or 8 per year).

Why Study Abroad?

Adding an international component to your four year undergraduate program will not only enable you to discover a different culture or master a foreign language, but will also offer you the opportunity to build upon the academic foundation you have created in your first two years of college study. You will be better prepared to face the academic, professional and personal challenges that lie ahead. You will learn about the world when you exchange ideas and information with people from different cultures, and you will learn about yourself when you find yourself challenged in a new and different environment. You will no doubt become a stronger student and a stronger person, better prepared for your next adventures.

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What Programs are Available?

A wide variety of study abroad opportunities exist for Wellesley College students in every academic discipline and every world region. Many students elect to enroll in one of the College's own programs in France or Austria or in one of the institution's consortia programs in Italy, Japan, Mexico or Spain. Others take advantage of Wellesley's exchange agreements with universities in Argentina, Japan, Korea or the United Kingdom. Beyond these opportunities, with assistance from the Office of International Studies and appropriate approval from their academic department and Dean, students may select from a wide range of programs sponsored by other U.S. institutions, or may enroll directly at a college or university located abroad.

A list of Recommended Programs, as well as descriptions of the Wellesley College programs, is available on the OIS web site and will be updated occasionally over the course of the year. You are encouraged to look into programs on this list before considering other options. Should you need to look beyond the list because of geographical or academic interests, you will need to meet with the Director of International Studies.

A Note About Study in the UK
Wellesley College has a number of partnerships with institutions in the UK. Most have very early deadlines. Sophomores must submit applications to the Office of International Study by December 1 for Oxford or Cambrdige and January 10 for the University of London programs (LSE, UCL, King's, Queen Mary, Royal Holloway, SOAS, Slade). For more details about study abroad in the UK, please visit www.wellesley.edu/OIS/UK.html.

A Note About Studying in a Foreign Language Destination
Language majors and students who plan to direct enroll in a university where instruction takes place in a language other than English must be enrolled in a course in the relevant language department during the semester preceding study abroad. In addition they are subject to the following requirements and prerequisites:

French: five units at the college level, to include French 210 or 211
German, Hebrew or Italian: four units at the college level
Russian: five units at the college level
Spanish: five units at the college level, to include either Spanish 241 or 242
Other languages: check with the department

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Selecting a Program

Things to Consider
In general, students are expected to select curriculum abroad that will complement studies undertaken on campus, in relation to work in the major field planned for the senior year. Occasionally, a student will spend a semester overseas on a program unrelated to her major, but which gives her the opportunity to explore another dimension of her interests. Proposals for this type of program require careful planning to ensure completion of the major. You will need be begin the process early in your sophomore year by declaring a major and researching the study abroad programs that are appropriate for your personality and academic program. Numerous resources are available to assist you in the planning process, ranging from information sessions to peer and professional advising to electronic and print materials.

Where to go for information

• Web Sites: the OIS web site has the most up-to-date information on programs that are offered and general information about study abroad; look here first.
• Office of International Study: Open weekdays from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Green 337, the OIS has print materials on most recommended programs, guidebooks for study abroad and travel, and evaluations from students who have studied abroad in the past.
• Program Alumnae: Students with first-hand knowledge of study abroad are an excellent source of information for students planning an international experience. A list of last and current year's participants is available in the OIS.
• Study Abroad Conference on First Class: The Study Abroad Conference provides students with a forum to discuss issues relating to study abroad or to ask questions that may be of general interest to the entire conference. OIS forms, announcements and schedules are also posted on the Conference. Please add this Conference to your First Class desktop. How to access the Conference: Go to Wellesley Conferences -> Departments -> Administrative Departments -> Study Abroad.)
• Information Sessions: The Office of International Studies hosts periodic information sessions for students interested in study abroad. In addition to general information sessions that address the application process, there are sessions offered each semester which present specific program options by region or major. A schedule of these sessions is available on the OIS website.

Paying for Study Abroad

All Wellesley College students who study abroad pay regular Wellesley College tuition for their semester or year abroad, in lieu of tuition payments to the provider. Room, board and other fees will vary by program and will be paid directly to the provider. Students who normally receive financial aid will remain eligible for aid to cover tuition, room and board, travel and personal expenses.

Other Funding Sources
A number of organizations offer scholarship funds for study abroad. Information on some of these is posted on the OIS web site and on the Study Abroad Conference. Additional information on funding sources is available in the OIS Resource Room.

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Approval for Study Abroad

In general, in order to be eligible for study abroad, you should:

• have declared a major by the end of the first semester of their sophomore year,
• be of diploma grade standing,
• have completed four units of approved work in the major by the end of the sophomore year, and
• have made substantial progress towards the completion of your distribution requirements.

* Some programs, notably Oxford, Cambridge and the University of London, have early December deadlines, in which case your Proposal to Study Away should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the program's application deadline.

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The Study Abroad Application

In addition to getting approval from Wellesley to study abroad, you will need to be accepted into your program of study. You will need to complete all application forms for your selected program and submit these to the OIS for review/approval.

Applications for some programs are available in the OIS Resource Room; others may be obtained on line or directly from the program organizer. (While applications should not be submitted prior to approval of the Proposal for Study Away, it is usually a good idea to have the application materials on hand in advance, as some require substantial thought and legwork, including recommendations and essays. Most require approval from a college official as well.)

Please make certain to observe the Wellesley deadlines, which vary by destination/provider, and do not hesitate to contact the program directly should you have questions about the application process or the program in general.

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Confirming your Participation

Once you are accepted by your study abroad program, you will need to complete a Leave of Absence Form (LOA). This form should be submitted no later than April 1 for fall/full year or November 1 for spring. The LOA is important because it serves as your final confirmation and ensures that you are registered properly with housing, student financial services, the health center, the registrar, etc. It is your responsibility to ensure that your application is submitted in time to be reviewed before Wellesley's deadline.

Pre-departure orientation meeting
The OIS runs a mandatory pre-departure meeting for all students who have confirmed participation in a study abroad program late each semester. At this meeting we address issues such as travel, course approval, transfer of credit, health and safety issues and cultural adjustment. See the calendar for details.

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Timeline for Preparing for Study Abroad

September	Attend Study Abroad Fair (9/19/06) Attend General Info Session (see calendar)
October	Research programs available Attend Region-Specific Info Sessions (see calendar) Meet with the Director of International Study (office hours posted weekly on First Class Study Abroad Conference) as well as your Class Dean and Academic Advisor
November	Declare a major Submit your Proposal to Study Away (due Dec 1.)
December to March	Prepare and submit program applications to the OIS by the internal deadline
April	Leave forms/Extension Requests due April 1 Attend a General Pre-Departure Meeting Attend a Region-Specific Pre-Departure Meeting