Off-Campus Study Programs

The opportunity to study in another country is an integral part of Colby’s educational philosophy. In addition to the academic learning and language skills that it can provide, living and studying in another country provides opportunities to develop intercultural competencies that can prepare students for life in an interdependent world. Nearly two thirds of Colby students study abroad, usually during their junior year—one of the highest percentages of any liberal arts college. Colby sponsors its own programs in some countries; in others, Colby approves programs sponsored by other institutions for its students.

A cumulative GPA of 2.7 or higher is required for study abroad or for an approved domestic program and, with few exceptions, Colby students are restricted to one semester of off-campus study during their four years. Students are not eligible for off-campus study if on probation of any kind. Due to the College’s need to balance enrollment across the fall and spring semesters, students may not be able to study off campus in the semester of their choice. By vote of the faculty, academic reasons for needing to study away during a specific semester take precedence over extracurricular and athletic participation. Students studying in countries where the primary language is taught at Colby must also achieve a minimum degree of competence in that language before studying abroad. The Off-Campus Study Office publishes a handbook titled Off-Campus Study Opportunities each fall. This handbook contains Colby’s policies regarding off-campus study as well as a list of approved programs. It can also be found on the Off-Campus Study Web site. In order to satisfy prerequisite requirements, students considering studying abroad are also urged to carefully consider the recommendations in the booklet Selection Information for First-Year Students, which they receive upon enrollment at Colby.
Red Square in Moscow
 
To explore off-campus study options, call 207-859-4500 or visit www.colby.edu/off-campus

Call Student Financial Services or refer to specific brochures or the Colby College Catalogue for applicable charges and refund policies regarding fees for programs abroad.

Student Financial Services
4130 Mayflower Hill
Waterville, ME 04901
207-859-4132
www.colby.edu/sfs
 
Intensive Language Programs Abroad
Colby students (including first-year students) may elect to spend a semester in a different country learning a foreign language in small, intensive classes and living with a family. Colby in Salamanca, Spain, and Colby in Dijon, France, are programs offered during the fall semester. Supervised by resident directors, these programs include excursions to other locations in the country, cultural activities, and a chance to meet people from other countries. Each of these programs allows students to fulfill the language requirement.

Study Abroad During Junior Year
Colby has an exchange agreement in Spain at the Universidad de Salamanca, which allows qualified Colby students to attend the university under the supervision of Colby’s on-site resident director, who also organizes excursions and activities. Colby in Salamanca requires students to speak Spanish exclusively while on the program and is available for the full academic year or either semester to students who have had sufficient language preparation.

Students who wish to study in Russia may participate in Colby’s program in St. Petersburg, which offers, in addition to courses in Russian language, literature, and history, the chance to teach English to local high school students.

In addition to Colby’s own programs, students may participate in a wide variety of non-Colby options that have been approved by the Off-Campus Study Office and the Advisory Committee on Off-Campus Study.

Colby in Washington
Students may spend a semester in Washington, D.C., studying and interning. Information is available from the Off-Campus Study Office.

Fees for Programs Abroad
The cost for each semester of Colby programs abroad is equivalent to one half the annual charge at Colby. Financial aid is available to students who demonstrate need as determined by the College and who are enrolled in Colby programs abroad, Colby exchange programs, or other programs approved by the Off-Campus Study Office. Students studying in non-Colby programs pay program fees directly to the sponsoring institutions.

Students who transfer credits for full-time study from a non-Colby program pay a fee of $1,000 per semester. This fee will be charged on the Colby tuition bill.

Safety Issues Abroad
The Off-Campus Study Office regularly consults travel warnings and consular information issued by the U.S. Department of State and encourages parents to consult these sources as well (see www.travel.state.gov). Colby’s policy discourages students from studying abroad in countries for which the State Department has issued a travel warning. The Off-Campus Study Office has a protocol for advising parents in the event of any incidents that might pose a danger to students on Colby programs abroad. Parents whose students are studying in non-Colby programs should contact the organizers of these programs directly to find out what their policies are.

Deadlines for Off-Campus Study
With the exception of incoming first-year students, all Colby students must indicate their interest to study abroad during the 2010-2011 academic year by completing a preliminary application by November 15, 2009, and submitting a complete application by March 15, 2010. Parent signatures are required on the risk waiver page of this application. Students are reminded that some programs have deadlines for fall-semester study that are earlier than Colby’s March 15 deadline. In addition, petitions for non-approved programs are due by March 1. Forms for the petition process are available from the Office of Off-Campus Studies.

Off-Campus Jan Plan Courses
Each year, Colby faculty members offer courses off campus during the month of January. The list of courses varies from year to year and is usually available from the Registrar in October. Students apply directly to the faculty member teaching the course. These courses incur additional fees to cover program expenses. The fees vary widely from program to program, but every effort is made to keep costs down.