Approved and Petitionable Off-Campus Programs

Below you will find a extensive list of Off-Campus Program opportunities from which to choose. You can access the program's information through its website, learn more about its offerings, requirements, and application procedures.

As you review the list of program options, consider your answers to the questions you considered in Choosing Your Off-Campus Study Program.  Also consider whether or not you meet the eligibility criteria for your program.

Colby’s Approved Program List
The OCS Office, in consultation with the faculty's Off-Campus Study Advisory Committee, maintains a list of programs, which is designed to meet the great majority of academic needs. The list represents a wide range of programs, in many countries, that have been used successfully by Colby students in the past and continue to be recommended by academic departments.

Knowledge of these programs is kept current through student evaluations and faculty visits. Programs may be added to or removed from the list as more appropriate opportunities emerge. Please do not assume, because you know that a Colby student participated in a particular program in the past, that the program is on the approved list.

Colby’s list of Programs for which petitions are supported
You will find certain programs, identified with * and stating “petition supported by…”, for which petitions would be encouraged. These programs are not currently on the approved list as they have not yet had sufficient attendance by Colby students to warrant formal approval by the Advisory Committee. However, they have been recommended by faculty and/or OCS as appropriate for Colby students and thus a well-presented petition prepared in conjunction with the major department would have a higher chance of success. These are not the only programs for which students may petition, of course, but they already meet the criteria above and have been reviewed for quality.

All program petitions require a meeting with a staff member of OCS and must be submitted by the March 1 deadline and meet certain criteria.

Travel Warnings
Colby College discourages travel to countries and participation in a program in a country for which there is a U.S. State Department Travel Warning in effect at the time of departure. Students wishing to travel to a country currently under U.S. State Department Travel Warning are required to, in advance of their application, submit a petition to the Travel Warning Review Committee providing a complete description of and justification for their study/travel at a Travel Warning site. If approved, they will then be required to sign a second waiver as part of the application for approval process.

Institute for Study Abroad (IFSA) Butler
For many approved programs in England, Scotland, Ireland, Australia, or New Zealand, students may choose to apply directly to the University in that country or through IFSA Butler.  Not all Butler programs, however, are approved by Colby so check Colby's list of programs before proceeding with your application.

IFSA Butler is a third party provider which facilitates the application and integration of US College students into foreign universities. Butler’s comprehensive program fee usually includes  a variety of services including: application, pre-departure, medical insurance, orientation, excursions and other on-site services, post study abroad services and more.  Please consult Butler 's eligibility guidelines, requirements, application materials, and deadlines for the specific program in which you are interested.