Office of Study Away

Begin by defining your goals for your time away. You may wish to speak with your academic advisor or come to the Study Away Office (Peters 205) for further help. Use the resources on the Study Away Website or search the Study Away Library for information about specific programs.

What are the important questions to ask? What countries am I interested in going to? How long and when should I go (one semester, one year, summer, winter term)?

Which type of program would I prefer (see the information below)? What kind of living arrangements are important (home stay, residence halls, apartments, etc.)? Do I want to be with other students from American colleges or not? How much can I afford to spend on my study away program? Do I want to have an internship or service component to my time away?

When should I begin to research my study away options?

The Oberlin Academic Leave application is due on March 15 for any student wishing to request an academic leave for the following year: a fall semester or full academic year, or spring leave. You should begin your research as early as possible because the number of programs can be truly overwhelming. It takes time to contact a program, to investigate and evaluate it, and to gather all the required documents (transcripts, letters of recommendation, essay, and signatures). The more popular programs can have rolling admissions and sometimes fill up quickly.

What are the general categories of study away programs?

Study away can be broken down into the following fundamental categories:

* Programs run by your home institution (Oberlin College)

* Programs run by another US college or university or through a consortium of colleges

or universities

* Programs run by an educational organization (usually called the study away provider)

* Direct enrollment in an overseas university (sometimes the university will have an

international center or office to facilitate your visit).

Which category of study away is right for me?

It depends on your academics, your financial situation, your language skills where appropriate, your goals for yourself, and your "level of comfort" about being in a foreign country. Oberlin encourages students to attend programs that provide both cultural immersion experiences, high academic standards and intensive language programs (where appropriate). Some students search for programs based on a subject area or its relation to their major (Latin American Studies, for example). Others choose a program for its language study opportunities or a desire to spend time in a particular geographic location. Feel free to contact the Study Away Advisor to at anytime to discuss various programs and their characteristics.

How many Oberlin students study away?

Approximately 150 students study away per semester on a combination of Oberlin programs, affiliated and non-affiliated programs. Oberlin Programs are called Enrolled Not-in-Residence (ENR) and are administered by Oberlin College. Oberlin Affiliated Programs (OAPs) are run by other institutions but are approved by Oberlin for attendance by our students.

When can I study away?

You must have a declared major and have studied for at least two semesters at Oberlin. Most students study away in their 5th, 6th or 7th semester of enrollment at Oberlin. Students who want to study away in the sophomore year or in the last semester of their senior year should provide special rationale for the request.

Where can I study away?

Oberlin offers its own programs through the London program and the PRESCHO program in Cordoba, Spain. Departments and programs of the College have approved a list of programs with which we have affiliated. These programs, offered all over the world, are endorsed by the faculty and allow a student to apply both Oberlin and federal financial aid to the cost of the semester away. Students may also choose a program that is not affiliated but may not use institutional funds toward the cost of that program. The list of programs is available on this website under the Choosing a Program link.

Can I study away in the US?

Yes, Oberlin College has several US study away programs on our affiliated list. If you wish to spend a semester enrolled at another US college or university you must provide sound academic rationale in order to be approved for study away.

How do I ensure that my credit will transfer?

Preliminary approval from the appropriate department chair is required for any course to be transferred toward major or minor credit. Students attending non-affiliated programs must get preliminary approval for any course taken during the semester away. All courses taken while studying abroad require final approval from appropriate department chairs upon completion of the program.

How much credit can I transfer?

Arts & Sciences students can transfer up to 16 credits per semester away. Conservatory and Double-Degree students can transfer up to 17 credits per semester away. A&S students are limited to 36 transfer credits after matriculation with no more than 56 transfer credits in total. Conservatory and Double-Degree students are limited to 62 total transfer credits. You must be registered for at least 12 credits per semester you are studying away.

Must study away be connected to my major?

Some students study away in programs unrelated to their majors. Every department sets its own transfer of credit limits for its major and minor requirements. See the Oberlin Course Catalog for details.

Who decides whether or not I can study away?

For any non-Oberlin run program, you must complete an Academic Leave of Absence application (ALOA) that is then reviewed by the Off-Campus Study Committee. You must meet all the study away requirements, have your application complete and in on time, have your advisor's support, and include a persuasive essay about why you want to study away. All your financial obligations to the College must be cleared as well.

What resources at Oberlin will help me prepare to study away?

Your academic advisor is an important resource in discussing your study away plans. There is also a study away advisor, a large study away library continuing program brochures and student evaluations of programs, and the study away fair in the fall. The Study Away Library is located in Peters 205.

Are there any alternatives to the traditional semester or year study away programs?

Students often use the winter term to travel abroad either alone, with other students, or under the sponsorship of an Oberlin professor. Many study away providers also offer summer programs. The Study Away Library does have information on January and summer programs. Study away in the summer through a study away provider does not require a special application to Oberlin. However, students are advised to secure preliminary transfer of credit approval for any summer study away credits.

Where can I get more information and the ALOA application?

The Study Away Library is a very useful resource for information on specific programs, evaluations from past participants and necessary application forms. Most forms and applications are also available online through this website or through the website of the study away provider.