International Guest Students

International Guest Students may select courses in a wide range of disciplines or courses in a particular field of study. Courses selected will help them further develop their proficiency in English and allow them to become familiar with the United States and its system of education.

International Guest Students must elect at least 12 credits each semester in order to maintain their visa status and should plan on completing a program of at least 20 credits (five courses) leading to Mount Holyoke's Certificate for International Students. They may elect the ungraded option for only one of these courses.  During their second semester at the College, students may elect courses at any of the other colleges in the  Five College Consortium, although at least half of the credits each semester must be earned in courses taken at Mount Holyoke. 

International Guest students may choose to earn the Certificate in a specific discipline which is offered as a major or minor at Mount Holyoke. They may do so by electing three courses in that field, all of which must be graded, and at least two of which must be taken at Mount Holyoke.

Even the most fluent international student is usually unfamiliar with the conventions of American academic English and will need to learn how to construct an argument, structure an academic paper, and prepare a bibliography and footnotes consistent with U.S. standards. Therefore, International Guest Students are encouraged to consider two English courses, which will address these special needs:

English 103f/104s: English for Multilingual Speakers
(Writing-intensive course) This writing-intensive course will enable international and multilingual students to refine their English writing skills by focusing on subjects such as grammar, style, usage, textual analysis and research techniques at the college level. It can be taken as a single course in the fall semester or as part of a two-course sequence with English 104s in the spring semester.

English 105: Writing Across Cultures
(Speaking- and writing-intensive course) This course is designed as a workshop for international and multilingual students who want to improve their critical reading and writing skills. We will explore the forms of academic discourse through analysis, argument, and research. Readings may include short stories, poetry, drama, and essays. In class, we'll explore themes of culture and identity. Attention will be given to speaking skills through class discussion and oral presentations.

International Guest Students are required to be in residence at Mount Holyoke throughout the academic year, which is divided into two semesters: the fall semester extends from early September to mid-December, and the spring semester from late January to mid-May. The academic program during January is very different from and more relaxed than the two semesters, and International Guest Students are encouraged to participate in it.