Frequently Asked Questions
GENERAL
When do students participate in off-campus study?
Are all off-campus study programs alike?
Can I study abroad in a country whose language I do not speak?
What if I have a program in mind that is not approved by Occidental College?
I am a science major - can I study abroad?
I am a transfer student - can I study abroad?
Can I study abroad for more than one semester?
Can I study on a program during the summer?
APPLICATION PROCESS
How do I apply?
What is the "Two-Step Application Process"?
Can I submit an application to more than one program?
May I use the same essay I write for my Oxy Application for my Secondary Application?
What do I do if my Secondary Application is submitted on-line only?
My program/university does not provide a list of available courses until I arrive onsite - how should I complete my Curriculum Proposal?
Can the same faculty member who completes my Language Evaluation Form also fill out the Faculty Recommendation form for me?
My program requires me to have completed "four semesters college-level Spanish/French" etc. - what does this mean?
My Secondary Application asks for a billing address and where to send my transcript - what should I write?
I am ready to submit my application to IPO -- what should I remember?
ACADEMIC CREDIT
Do I get academic credit for courses I take abroad?
Are my grades calculated into my Oxy GPA?
How do I get credit for my major, minor or core?
What is the CR/NC Deadline Abroad?
Can I do an internship abroad?
Is it possible to volunteer as part of the Off-Campus study experience?
FINANCIAL QUESTIONS
What does study abroad cost?
Can I work abroad?
Can I get help paying for my plane ticket?
Are there scholarships designated for study abroad?
GENERAL
When do students participate in off-campus study? [top]
Students participate during their junior or senior year, and apply to study abroad the semester before you wish to study abroad, e.g., you would apply in the spring of 2007 for fall 2007 participation. Consult with your faculty advisor if you are interested in off-campus study. Students must be on-campus for 16 of the last 32 credits before graduation.
Are all off-campus study programs alike? [top]
No. Reflect on what kind of educational experience you want. Program options fall into basically three categories; one is not necessarily better than the other.
An "island" program, in which all courses are arranged for the U.S. group and taught by faculty members from the U.S. sponsoring school or by foreign faculty engaged specifically by the program.
A "direct enrollment" program, where you are taking all courses with students and faculty of the host country within a foreign institution.
A "hybrid" program, in which program courses are arranged for the group by the U.S. program sponsor, combined with direct enrollment in one or two courses at the host institution.
See more information under Academics Abroad.
Can I study abroad in a country whose language I do not speak? [top]
Yes. Many programs are designed for students with no previous knowledge of the host country’s language, e.g. Hong Kong, Italy, Czech Republic, Turkey. Visit the IPO office for more information on your options.
What if I have a program in mind that is not approved by Occidental College? [top]
Students must meet with the Director of International Programs to discuss their options. Student may apply for participation on a Non-Oxy program through the regular application process. See more complete information on Non-Oxy Programs on our website.
I am a science major - can I study abroad? [top]
Absolutely! There are a variety of programs that offer science courses abroad, both in English and in other languages. If you are a science major interested in studying abroad you will want to plan as early as possible and discuss this with your academic advisor and with an IPO advisor.
I am a transfer student - can I study abroad? [top]
Yes. Transfer students applying for Off-Campus Study should include an official transcript from previous institutions with their application.
Can I study abroad for more than one semester? [top]
Off-campus study is limited to one semester, except in exceptional cases. If you are interested in either a year-long program or two different programs you should discuss this with your academic advisor and with a member of the IPO staff.
Can I study on a program during the summer? [top]
During the summer you are a free agent. IPO does not evaluate or endorse summer programs and there is no Oxy application process for participation. Students work through the Registrar’s Office and the department in which the wish to receive credit to determine if they may receive transfer credits, just as they would for any domestic summer school course or transfer course.
APPLICATION PROCESS
How do I apply? [top]
Please see our Applicant section for more details.
What is the "Two-Step Application Process"? [top]
Student must submit both an Occidental and a Secondary, or program sponsor, application, and receive two separate notification letters. The Secondary application must be submitted with the Occidental application to the IPO by the Oxy application deadline.
Can I submit an application to more than one program? [top]
No. Students are expected to have chosen their study abroad program at the time of application. Students who are accepted to study abroad by Occidental have a strong likelihood of being accepted to their first choice program due to pre-application advising and the primary application process. In the rare case that a student’s secondary application is not accepted, the student may, at that time, file a second-choice application in consultation with the International Programs Office.
May I use the same essay I write for my Oxy Application for my Secondary Application? [top]
Possibly. The Oxy essay may be similar to the essay required by your program sponsor. If so, by all means, use the same essay. If the essay question on your Secondary Application differs, you may need to adapt your Oxy essay or write another.
What do I do if my Secondary Application is submitted on-line only? [top]
There are some programs that have a completely paperless application. As IPO is responsible for submitting your secondary application to the program provider, we ask that if you submit these on-line applications, print the screens before you submit the application, and turn the copy and other supporting documents in to IPO by the deadline.
My program/university does not provide a list of available courses until I arrive onsite - how should I complete my Curriculum Proposal? [top]
Use the resources available in the IPO library! There are university course catalogs, study abroad prospecti and course evaluations from past study abroad students. You can also access many class listings on the Web.
It is most important that you identify the academic departments in which you want to study since students at most universities overseas take classes only in one department for their entire college career -- no liberal arts. You should also look carefully at the level, e.g. 2nd year, 3rd year etc. of courses in a given department since many courses require you to have completed particular prerequisites. So, if you do not have a complete course list you can write "3rd year English class", or write the title of the course title that you hope to take.
Finally, the courses that you list on your Oxy application are only preliminary selections in most cases. Investigate your choices as carefully as you can, but remain flexible.
Can the same faculty member who completes my Language Evaluation Form also fill out the Faculty Recommendation form for me? [top]
Yes. You should have faculty who can best comment on your preparation for your study abroad program write your recommendations. This may be the same person who also evaluates your language level. Please note that some Secondary Applications also require a language evaluation that may, or may not, be completed by the same person who writes your recommendation. Be sure to read the Secondary Application carefully before soliciting a reference from your language evaluator.
My program requires me to have completed "four semesters college-level Spanish/French" etc. - what does this mean? [top]
Four semesters of college-level language is equivalent to having completed through Spanish 202 or French 202. If you tested into 201 on your language exam and after two semesters of Oxy language study you have completed 202, that counts as four semesters of college level language. Be aware that most programs require a recent language course to have been taken within one-year of anticipated study abroad.
My Secondary Application asks for a billing address and where to send my transcript - what should I write? [top]
Please have your program sponsor mail transcripts and bills to: International Programs Office. 1600 Campus Road, Box F-16, Los Angeles, CA 90041. Tel: 323-259-2533, Fax: 323-341-4976. ipo@oxy.edu
I am ready to submit my application to IPO -- what should I remember? [top]
• Due Date: September; for Spring applicants & January; for Fall applicants
• DO NOT pay any application fees.
• DO NOT submit anything directly to a program sponsor during the application process.
• DO NOT obtain your transcript from the Registrar; IPO will do this.
• DO NOT ask faculty to complete program specific recommendation forms.
ACADEMIC CREDIT
Do I get academic credit for courses I take abroad? [top]
Participants are required to enroll in a full course load as defined by the program. Taking a full load abroad gets you 16 Oxy credits.
Are my grades calculated into my Oxy GPA? [top]
All grades earned on off-campus study will be calculated into your GPA. Courses must be taken for a grade; an incomplete ("I") grade is unacceptable. In accordance with the Oxy grading policy, students may take a course on a Credit/No Credit basis. Read more in Academic Policies.
How do I get credit for my major, minor or core? [top]
Credit for your major is awarded by the department chairperson of your major or the Core Program office after you have returned from off-campus study and presented course syllabi, reading lists, papers, exams etc.
You may meet with the chair of your major department during the study abroad application process to preliminarily determine if an anticipated course may count toward major credit. You may bring the department chair a copy of the course description and obtain their signature on your Preliminary Request for Major/Minor/Core Credit Form.
What is the CR/NC Deadline Abroad? [top]
See Academic Policies.
Can I do an internship abroad? [top]
Frequently, yes. There may be credit or non-credit internships available to students abroad. If you are interested in this option you should refer to your program description and discuss internship guidelines with a member of the IPO staff. Note that guidelines for participation in internships as part of an Off-Campus program differ from on-campus guidelines.
Is it possible to volunteer as part of the Off-Campus study experience? [top]
Probably, yes. Most study abroad programs will help you investigate opportunities for volunteering with a local organization or school during your semester overseas. Students often find this experience helps them acquaint themselves with locals easily and offers more flexibility and free time than internships.
FINANCIAL QUESTIONS
What does study abroad cost? [top]
The application fee for Off-Campus Study is $40 and is charged directly to the student’s account. In addition, students studying off-campus are charged the Comprehensive Fee for Off-Campus Study which covers the academic program abroad, room and board during the academic program, and a stipend toward local transportation costs between housing and the academic site, if required. The Comprehensive Fee excludes travel to/from the academic program, and room and board before or after the academic program and during vacation periods. The Comprehensive Fee is equivalent to the amount of the following on-campus fees: tuition, a standard double room, meal plan B, the student body fee, and accident and sickness insurance. The Fee is billed in the usual manner and students on various payment plans with the College may request continuation of that service while overseas. Prior to leaving campus, students on Financial Aid should communicate with that office directly about overseas travel grants and continuation of aid while abroad. The office may be reached at 323-259-2548.
A student wishing to withdraw from off-campus study after submitting a signed acceptance letter should communicate with the International Programs Office about the withdrawal procedures. The student account will be charged a withdrawal fee of $350, as well as unrecoverable costs incurred on the student’s behalf.
In planning for expenses please note that personal and incidental expenses may be considerably higher overseas than they are at Occidental. Budgeting recommendations from previous students are available for students to review in the IPO. Students are responsible for paying for costs associated with such items as photos, passports, immunizations, insurance, books and personal supplies and expenses. Students are responsible for required visa fees up to US$100; the College will reimburse students for visa fees in excess of US$100.
Students are also responsible for incidental expenses such as books, laundry, entertainment, postage and telephone calls. These costs are likely to be higher than in Los Angeles and students should read past student evaluations for recommendations on a local budget. See Fees and Expenses for more information.
Can I work abroad? [top]
Whether you can work abroad depends on the national regulations of the country in which you study. In most cases, information about whether you can legally work while you are studying abroad is available from the Embassy of the country in which you are studying. See Passports & Embassies for more information.
Can I get help paying for my plane ticket? [top]
Contact financial aid: finaid@oxy.edu
Are there scholarships designated for study abroad? [top]
Take full advantage of the financial assistance offered by the program sponsor.