What are the requirements for study abroad? Mount Holyoke requires that you must have a GPA of at least 2.7, not be behind in credits, have the approval of your major department and, if applicable, the appropriate language department. You must also have a plan of study that is transferable to Mount Holyoke and will enable you to graduate on schedule.
Where do I begin? The McCulloch Center offers a series of info sessions and other programs; see our Calendar for details. Come to our office in Porter Hall (open whenever Porter Hall is accessible to you) for program brochures and catalogues, and evaluations completed by returned students.
Can I make an appointment to talk with someone about study abroad? Yes, you can call x2072 to make an appointment with Joanne Picard, Dean of International Studies (for study abroad in Asia and the Pacific, Latin America, or Europe) or with Jale Okay, Director of International Experiential Learning (for study abroad in Africa or the Middle East). Appointment times in September are reserved for students applying to study abroad in the spring, as they will have imminent deadlines. It will help us focus on your particular interests if you have done some preliminary research on the web and/or attended one of our general info sessions before making an appointment.
Is study abroad just for juniors? No, students may study abroad as sophomores or first-semester seniors, provided that they meet our usual requirements.
Can I study on a program that is not on the list of approved programs? We will consider petitions for programs not on our list only in exceptional circumstances, such as if you have a compelling reason to study in a country that is not represented on the list, or a highly specialized major that cannot readily be accommodated. If you have difficulty identifying a suitable program from the list, consult with Joanne Picard, who can help you do so.
Why does Mount Holyoke limit the programs to which I can apply? There are thousands of study abroad programs, and their quality is highly variable; it is not possible for Mount Holyoke to evaluate every program. With the advice of faculty, we have identified a series of programs that meet our expectations for study abroad and in which we have confidence based on our assessment and previous students' experiences.
What is a "bolded" program? "Bolded" programs are high quality programs that are competitively priced for their location. Program quality does not reliably correlate to program cost. Students applying for Laurel Fellowships must apply to bolded programs. By taking program cost into account, we are able to fund more students for study abroad. (Students not applying for Laurel Fellowships often enroll in bolded programs as well because they represent good value.)
I don't speak a language other than English. Does that mean I have to study in an English-speaking country? No, there are many good programs in other places that are taught in English and do not require previous knowledge of the host country language. Our approved programs lists identify the language of instruction for each program.
How many semesters of language do I need to complete before going abroad to a non-English-speaking country? Most programs taught in the target language will require between 4 and 6 semesters of language study, or the equivalent. Some programs taught partially in English or focusing on language acquistion will require less (perhaps just a year, or even none). For study in a Francophone country, students must take at least one four-credit course each semester they are enrolled at Mount Holyoke, and complete at least one course in culture and literature at the 200 level (215, 219, 225, or 230) prior to their departure.
Do I have to study the local language while I am abroad? Many programs will require you to study the local language, even if the program is taught in English. We strongly recommend that you take a language course even if your program does not require it. Knowing a little bit of the language will help you to interact with local residents and learn more about the culture.
Is it true that science majors can't study abroad? No! Science majors in all disciplines regularly study abroad. Your advisor can help you figure out how best to fit study abroad into your program, and to negotiate any particular issues with course sequencing.
I have a learning disability; should I wait until I'm accepted to tell my program? We strongly recommend that you discuss your learning disability (or any chronic medical conditions or other concerns) in advance with us and with potential program sponsors. Not all locations will be able to accomodate all needs; if you address those needs at the beginning, you will be better able to find a program that will work for you.
How difficult is it to get into a program? If you choose appropriate programs whose requirements you meet, and apply in a timely way, you can generally expect to get into all or most of them. Most programs offer rolling admission, meaning that applications are reviewed as they are completed. If you meet the requirements, and the program has space available when your application is completed, you can expect to be admitted. Some rolling-admission programs may fill early just because they are popular. Some programs will be more competitive, with a higher GPA requirement, for example, and with admission decisions made only after all completed applications have been reviewed.
How many programs can I apply to? Mount Holyoke does not limit you to a specific number, but remember that applying to programs takes time, and money for application fees and transcripts. Most students will find that two or three applications will be sufficient.
What if I apply to study abroad and then decide not to go? Simply turn in your Academic Status Notification Form indicating that you will not be going abroad. Students applying for programs that begin in the fall have until May 15 to turn in the form, and students applying for spring programs have until December 1.
How will my credits transfer? Liberal arts courses completed with grades of C- or better will transfer automatically as elective credit.
If my program courses are worth 3 credits each, will I receive 4 credits for each course at Mount Holyoke? No, we do not inflate the number of credits per course. Because there are many different credit systems, we transfer credit on a full-load for full-load basis. If you complete what your host program or university defines as the normal full-time course load for a semester, you will receive 16 credits here. In most cases, programs that award 3 credits per course will define the normal full-time course load as 5 courses (15 credits) per semester. If you complete less than the normal full-time course load, credits will transfer credit-for-credit.
Will my grades transfer? No, but you must earn grades of C- or better for your credits to transfer. When you apply to graduate school, for employment, etc, you will need to submit both your MHC and study abroad transcripts.
Can I fulfill requirements with courses taken abroad? Yes, provided that the courses are approved for that purpose by the chair of the appropriate department here. It is wise to obtain such approvals in advance, whenever possible.
Do I pay Mount Holyoke when I study abroad? No, except for Mount Holyoke programs and exchanges, students pay their program directly. All students pay Mount Holyoke an administrative fee of $750 per semester abroad.
What does it cost to study abroad? Most programs abroad cost less than study at Mount Holyoke, though there are exceptions.
Does Mount Holyoke financial aid travel abroad? Mount Holyoke aid does not travel automatically. Students receiving need-based financial aid may apply for the Laurel Fellowships for Off-Campus Study, which substitutes for the need-based aid that they would have received here.
If programs abroad generally cost less than Mount Holyoke, isn't it less expensive for Mount Holyoke to send me abroad than to have me here on campus? No. The aid that you receive on campus essentially represents a tuition discount. The Laurel Fellowship funds that we provide for study abroad represent an actual (and greater) cost to the College, even if the amount of aid you receive is less. (Think of it this way: a shop might offer you a coupon for $5 off any purchase in the store, but they would not offer you $5 to spend in another store.)
If I receive a Laurel Fellowship, what will it cover? How much will it be? Your budget will include tuition and related required academic fees (if any), room and board, and allowances toward books, personal expenses, and roundtrip airfare. You will be expected to make the same family contribution as if you were here, and to carry the appropriate loan. The amount of your Laurel Fellowship will be based on need and, just like the aid you receive here, is meant to cover the difference between your own resources and the cost of your program.
What are my chances of receiving a Laurel Fellowship? Last year, we funded about 93% of qualified applicants, so the overall chances are very much in your favor.
Do I have to show that study abroad is essential to my major to be considered for a Laurel Fellowship? No. All applicants must clearly state their goals for study abroad; in many cases, goals will be related to the major, but they may also include developing language proficiency, exploring interests outside the major or minor, learning about a country or culture very different from one's own, etc.
Can the McCulloch Center advise me about summer study? The McCulloch Center does not have extensive resources about summer programs, but we do have some information on file. In general, we recommend that you start by looking at summer programs run by colleges and organizations that have semester/year programs on our approved programs list. Credit for summer study, whether abroad or in the US, is evaluated by the Registrar's Office. You may transfer in a maximum of 8 summer credits to count toward your Mount Holyoke degree.
