 |
The Office of International Programs (OIP), located at 66 Vernon Street, assists Trinity students who wish to study away for a semester, academic year or on a Trinity-administered summer program. These Guidelines cover the study away application process and study away procedures for students who wish to study away for one semester or a full year. Students interested in summer programs should consult the OIP for further information.
Trinity is one of the leading liberal arts colleges in the area of study away with 7 of its own programs and more than 80 approved international and domestic programs throughout the world. Trinity students from every major (including mathematics, engineering, and the sciences) study away and earn credit toward their undergraduate degrees at Trinity, many fulfilling major, minor, and/or general distribution requirements.
A complete list of Trinity-approved study away programs can be found on the Study Away Programs section of the OIP webpage. There are three types of semester and academic year study away programs from which Trinity students can choose:
Trinity Programs administered by the OIP:
Trinity Rome Campus in Rome, Italy
Trinity-in-Barcelona Global Learning Site in Barcelona, Spain
Trinity-in-Cape Town Global Learning Site in Cape Town, South Africa
Trinity-in Paris Global Learning Site in Paris, France
Trinity-in-Santiago (in association with CIEE) in Santiago, Chile
Trinity-in-Trinidad Global Learning Site in Trinidad & Tobago, West Indies
Trinity-in-Vienna Global Learning Site in Vienna, Austria
These Trinity programs have been developed by Trinity faculty and staff and are administered by the OIP. They have strong links to the Trinity curriculum and offer internships and/or other opportunities for community engagement. Students on these programs pay the Trinity Comprehensive Fee.
Trinity Affiliate Programs/Programs co-administered by the OIP:
Curtin University in Perth, Australia
Danish Institute for Study Abroad (DIS), Copenhagen, Denmark
NYU in Accra, Ghana
NYU in London, England
NYU in Shanghai, China
IES in Shanghai, China
PRESHCO in Cordoba, Spain
Duke in Istanbul, Turkey
University of East Anglia, Norwich, England
Moscow Study-Abroad at the Russian Language Institute, Moscow, Russia
Baden Württemberg Exchange in the Baden-Wurttemberg Region of Germany (multiple universities)
The 12 College Exchange in the USA (multiple universities)
Trinity La MaMa in New York, New York, USA
These programs are developed through linkages between the OIP and other departments, partner institutions, or consortia relationships. With the exception of PRESCHO, the 12 College Exchange, and Trinity La MaMa, these programs have a connection to Trinity, but are not administered directly by the College. Students on the PRESCHO and Trinity La MaMa program pay the Trinity Comprehensive fee; students on the Baden Württemberg Exchange pay Trinity tuition and fees and room and board abroad; and students who study on other exchange/affiliate programs pay the provider or host institution directly.
Trinity Approved Programs:
These programs extend Trinity students’ study away option to countries in almost every part of the world. They are not administered by Trinity College, but have been approved by the OIP and the Curriculum Committee. These programs are run by U.S. or international colleges, universities, or provider organizations to which students must apply directly after gaining Trinity approval to study away. Note that students attending these programs pay an administrative fee of $3,000 for one semester or $3,500 for two semesters to Trinity that is used to cover costs associated with study away. In addition, students pay all program fees directly to the appropriate program provider(s).
Study Away Eligibility:
Trinity students can study away for a semester or year as sophomores, juniors or first semester seniors. All Trinity students should be in good academic standing with a preferred minimum GPA of 2.5 when they submit their required Request for Approval to Study Away to Trinity. While some exceptions may be possible for highly motivated students, applicants should be aware that most programs require a minimum GPA of 2.7 or 3.0 that must be obtained prior to studying away. To remain eligible to study away, students must fulfill their quantitative literacy requirement, meet their program requirements, and not incur academic probation or censure. Students must also be in good social standing (have no serious disciplinary issues).
Approval to Study Away - The Process:
All students who wish to study away for a semester or full year in 2010-2011 must attend a Study Away Information Session (see the OIP website or check with the OIP for details) and/or meet with an OIP adviser prior to submitting a Request for Approval to Study Away, which is due in the Office of International Programs, 66 Vernon Street, by December 4, 2009 at 4:00 p.m. (We recommend that you do both!)
After completing the required Request for Approval to Study Away, students will receive notification regarding approval by late January or early February 2010. Note that the Request for Approval to Study Away is not an application for a specific program; it is a formal request for approval from the College to study away for a specific term and for a specific program or programs. Trinity allows students to select a maximum of two (2) study away programs per study away term: one preferred program and one alternate.
After students receive notification of approval to study away, they must submit program applications directly to their program providers. Students must apply to their approved study away program(s) and for their approved study away term.
Students who wish to deviate from their approval letter should contact the OIP. It is often not possible to change your approved study away term. Students may change program choices to other approved programs as long as they make this change early enough, have discussed their new program choice(s) with their academic adviser, and have his/her approval. Students with questions or who wish to make a change should contact the OIP.
All students must be approved by Trinity for study away before they can proceed with their program-specific applications. Trinity program applications are available from OIP, 66 Vernon Street. Many application forms for approved non-Trinity programs are also available at the Office of International Programs, and most are accessible on program websites.
Once students receive notification of approval to study away, Trinity records their commitment and places a hold on their student record to prevent their participation in the housing lottery and advance registration in Hartford for the term(s) they will be studying away.
Choosing Appropriate Programs:
Students must demonstrate that they meet or will meet the eligibility requirements for their program of choice and alternate program. They must also demonstrate a strong academic rationale for their program selections. The OIP will verify student GPAs and academic records to ensure that they have selected appropriate programs. Students who do not request approval to apply for appropriate programs may have their request denied or may receive approval for one or more different program(s).
Consider the following before you decide upon a specific program:
-
Seek a challenging academic program that will complement and enhance your Trinity degree!
-
Focus on your personal goals, preferences, and priorities
-
Decide on the location in which you wish to study.
-
Determine your language requirements
-
Consider the various types of programs available
-
Think about your housing preferences
-
Consider visa requirements and timelines for your program of choice
IMPORTANT: Students studying away for one semester should indicate their preferred semester, but must be flexible regarding their study away term. The OIP must maintain a balance of students who study away in fall and spring. While usually able to accommodate most requests, we cannot guarantee that all students will be approved for their selected semester.
Students should refer to the Approved Study Away List (under Study Away Programs) as a starting point in researching programs. They can also look at program websites and the program materials in the Office of International Programs, 66 Vernon Street. The OIP has program brochures, university catalogues, travel books (that are available for check-out), and other resources that are available to students. The OIP is open Monday through Friday, 8:30am to 12:00 noon, and 1:00 to 4:30 pm. (Note: The office is officially closed 12 noon- 1:00 pm for lunch.) The International Programs Resource Library is located on the first floor of 66 Vernon Street. Students may also wish to consult with the faculty who are affiliated with Trinity’s Approved programs. Contact the OIP for more information.
Another effective way to research programs is to contact returned study away students to ask about their experiences. Most are happy to talk with prospective study away students. Contact the OIP to find a peer adviser who has studied on Trinity-administered programs. These students, called Global Ambassadors, can meet with you to further discuss their experience and answer your questions about your prospective program and host country. For non-Trinity programs, contact the program provider for a list of their former students. You can also reference the comprehensive evaluations completed by Trinity students who have studied away; these can be found in binders in the OIP.
PETITIONS FOR NON APPROVED PROGRAMS:
Students may petition to apply to a program not approved by Trinity by completing a Study Away Petition Form. Petitions should be submitted to the Office of International Programs together with a completed Request for Approval to Study Away. Since approval is not guaranteed, students must indicate a back-up from the list of approved programs on their Request. Both documents are due in the OIP, 66 Vernon Street, no later than 4:00 p.m. on December 4, 2009.
CRITERIA FOR APPROVAL FOR STUDY AWAY:
Trinity allows students to select two (2) study away programs per study away term. Students should select one program as their program of preference and one alternate.
1. All Trinity students should have a minimum GPA of 2.5-2.7 at the time they submit their Request for Approval to Study Away. (Some exceptions may be possible for highly motivated students, but these students must be very flexible with regard to program selection.)
2. Students must meet their program GPA requirements prior to studying away. Note that many programs require a minimum GPA of 3.0, and some require higher GPAs. Even programs that indicate flexibility may be competitive. For this reason, students who have GPAs of 3.0 or below will want to consider both their 1st and 2nd choices very carefully to ensure they are choosing appropriate programs. Students with questions should contact the OIP.
3. Before studying away all Trinity students must fulfill the Quantitative Literacy (“Math Proficiency”) Requirement. Students should plan their schedule in order to complete any required proficiency course before studying away.
4. All students must be in good academic standing (i.e. not on academic probation or censure) both when they apply, and the semester before they study away. Students who incur academic probation will have their approval to study away rescinded.
5. Students must be in good social standing in order to study away (no serious disciplinary issues) The Office of International Programs will ask the Dean of Students to confirm eligibility in this area.
6. Students must meet all prerequisites and admissions requirements of their selected program(s). For example, some programs require applicants to have a minimum of two years of college-level language classes and some programs require a minimum number of classes in an academic subject.
Students should complete their applications as early as possible and adhere to all deadlines and/or recommended deadlines – it is the student’s responsibility to check all program deadlines. Note that many study away programs accept students on a rolling admissions basis, and some may be very early. Other programs may indicate late deadlines, but students may find that late applicants are not guaranteed housing or do not have ample time to apply for visas.
APPLYING TO SPECIFIC PROGRAMS:
Application forms for many programs are available in the OIP. Most are also available on program websites. You should obtain your application materials as early as possible to ensure that you will be able to meet all deadlines set by your program and by Trinity College. If your program(s) deadline is earlier than late January/early February (when OIP approval letters are sent out), please contact the OIP.
Most applications have a form that a study abroad adviser, a dean, or some other home institution administrator must sign. Bring this form to the Office of International Programs at least one week before it is due and before March 1 for Fall or Full Year Programs, or September 15 for Spring programs. Before the Office of International Programs sends your administrative approval to your host program, we check your academic record and ascertain from the Dean of Students Office that you are in good standing at Trinity. For these reasons, you must file your materials in a timely manner—the Office of International Programs cannot process forms on short notice.
Most programs also require a recommendation from one or more faculty members. Choose faculty members who know you, are acquainted with your work, and are familiar with your academic capabilities. This recommendation is usually very important!
After you have completed your program applications, be patient. It usually takes several weeks or more for programs to process applications, especially if you submit your application near the deadline. In some cases, applications are not reviewed prior to a certain date; in others applications are reviewed at regular intervals.
OIP ADVISING:
Students are required to attend a study away information session and/or meet with an OIP staff member before submitting the Request for Approval to Study Away. Dates and times for study away sessions will be available from the OIP and on the OIP website. Students who are unable to attend any of the information sessions or who have additional questions should contact the OIP at oip@trincoll.edu or x 2005. Appointment hours are Monday through Friday from 1:00 – 4:00 p.m. or at other times by special arrangement. Note that appointments for study away during the 2010-2011 academic year will be available after October 1, 2009. (Appointments prior to October 1 are reserved for students planning to study away in Spring 2010.)
If possible, all students interested in studying away in 2010-11 should also plan to attend the Trinity Study Away Fair, on Wednesday September 30, 2009 from 4:00 – 6:30 p.m. in the Washington Room, Mather Hall. There will be representatives present from Trinity and non-Trinity programs. Faculty, students, and staff will be available to answer questions and provide you with detailed program information and brochures. Appetizers, desserts, and beverages will be provided.
Students can also contact the OIP for appointments later on if they need additional assistance and make as many appointments as they require. The Office of International Programs staff can help you with your research and provides general study away advising for all students. In addition, they provide ongoing advising, planning, and preparation for students participating on OIP/Trinity Study Away programs. They can provide you with general information about all programs on Trinity’s approved list and help you with general planning, but students should contact the program providers for detailed information and advising on these programs. The program providers who administer non-Trinity programs can provide the best information about courses, program structure, visas, costs of living, housing, and other program information
FACULTY ADVISING:
It is important for you to discuss your study away plans with your academic adviser. The discussion with your adviser will begin when you are preparing to file the Request for Approval to Study Away and will continue until you file for your final Application for Transfer Credit. If you have not yet declared a major, please do so as soon as possible AND before you study away. You should meet with a faculty member in your prospective major(s), as well as your current adviser about your study away plans. Students with majors in all departments (including the natural and physical sciences, computer science, engineering, and mathematics) have studied away and have earned transfer credit toward their majors. Faculty in your major or intended major can advise you on any specific requirements or limits on the amount of major credit that may be earned while away. This is very important, as departments have different policies regarding transfer credit and what can and cannot be counted towards the major. This can help you decide what courses would be best for you to take both before and while you study away. You can pick up a Four-Year Planner that will help your academic career at Trinity from the OIP or the Dean of Students Office.
It is important that you ask the appropriate academic departments about future schedules of course offerings at Trinity and projected faculty leaves or sabbaticals. This information may influence your preferred choice of study away semester or even the year when you apply to study away. You may need to plan a year in advance for entrance to limited enrollment senior seminars and other courses. It is therefore very important that you talk with individual faculty members who will offer such courses. In addition to planning courses you will take while studying away, you should tentatively plan your course schedule for the semester after you study away. If you do this, you are not as likely to be disappointed in your selection of courses or your progress toward the completion of major requirements after your return. If you are planning to do a senior thesis, you will also want to think about this as you plan to study away. Many students have done senior theses related to studies they pursued while abroad.
Another type of faculty advising is more program specific advising. Many faculty members at Trinity have strong knowledge of Trinity and non-Trinity approved programs abroad and can serve as additional resources for you. The names of professors who are particularly knowledgeable about specific programs are available from the OIP.
DOMESTIC STUDY AWAY
There are a limited number of domestic study away options included in Trinity’s list of Approved Study Away Programs. Students wishing to study for one or two semesters at another US college or university can apply through the 12 College Exchange program. Directly enrolling at a U.S. college or university outside of these programs is not considered studying away. Students who choose to do this must voluntarily withdraw from Trinity and apply directly to their institution of choice. They will not receive financial aid and must apply to temporarily withdraw through the Registrar’s Office. Students cannot normally petition for domestic programs not on Trinity’s approved study away list, and financial aid cannot be used for domestic study on a non-approved domestic program.
STUDY AWAY TIMELINE FOR ACADEMIC YEAR 2010-2011
|
September 30, 2009 |
Attend the Study Away Fair, from 4:00–6:30 p.m. in the Washington Room, Mather Hall |
|
Before November 30, 2009 |
Discuss your plans to study away with your academic adviser and/or a faculty member in your major or intended major department. Attend a Study Away Information Session and/or meet with an OIP adviser. Determine your goals (academic and personal) for studying away and choose your preferred programs (one choice and one alternate per study away term.) |
Obtain Trinity Approval to Study Away
|
December 4, 2009 |
You must submit your completed Request for Approval to Study Away no later than 4 p.m. to the Office of International Programs at 66 Vernon Street. (Faculty recommendations are due the same date/time.) |
|
December 4, 2009 |
If you wish to petition to study away on a non-approved program, you must submit a completed Study Away Petition along with your Request for Approval to Study Away to the Office of International Programs at 66 Vernon Street by 4 p.m. Note that petitioning students must choose an approved back-up program. |
|
Late January/Early February 2010 |
You will be notified of your approval by the College to apply to study away. You must then apply to your approved study away term/programs. If you have questions, contact the OIP. |
Apply to a Specific Program after you are Approved to Study Away & Confirm Your Participation
|
Before March 1, 2010 for fall 2010 or full year 2010-2011 programs
Before October 1, 2010 for spring 2011
programs |
The OIP strongly recommends that you submit program applications directly to your approved program provider (s) no later than the indicated dates – many programs admit students on a rolling basis and fill up quickly. Some programs may have EARLIER deadlines, so please check with your programs. |
|
ONGOING |
You must submit a Study Away Confirmation Form and copy of your acceptance letter to the program you plan to (if going on a non-OIP administered program) attend to Office of International Programs at 66 Vernon Street in order to be confirmed for study away. |
|
May 1 if going away fall 2010 semester or for full year 2010-2011,
Nov. 15 if going away spring 2011 semester
|
If you are going on a program that awards transfer credit (MOST programs), you must file a completed Application for Transfer Credit with the Office of the Registrar by these dates. |
|
April 1 for fall 2010 or full year 2010-2011 or October 1 for spring 2011 |
Deadline to withdraw from Study Away without incurring a $500 Study Away Withdrawal Fee. |
GUIDELINES TO STUDY AWAY IN 2010-2011 |
|