Bulletin - Educational Support and Enrichment - Global Education

Oglethorpe academic and faculty advisors and staff in global education serve as primary consultants for students who are interested in any type of global learning or study abroad experience. The global education website provides a starting point and leads students to create a ViaTRM-PetrelsAbroad Portal account. The PetrelsAbroad Portal is used to explore thousands of programs where students can earn academic credit (exchange, faculty led, LeadAbroad, virtual, research and internships) and get matched with the best fit programs for each student’s individual needs and preferences. Global education staff assists students to investigate potential destinations, discusses the student’s qualifications and priorities for a study abroad program, and provides guidance regarding the application process for Oglethorpe and any external parties involved, which may include the host institution or a third-party program provider.

Every student attending an Oglethorpe-approved fall semester, spring semester or year abroad program may petition the Core director to have their course work abroad count as an equivalency for one semester of, either COR 301 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order I or COR 302 Historical Perspectives on the Social Order II, at the student’s discretion; see Sec. 7.1.2.2. Students must be accepted on an Oglethorpe-approved program and have fulfilled COR requirements through 201. The Core director may, at their discretion, grant exemption for an immersive summer program. Students will receive an exemption after obtaining approval through the study abroad course approval process and upon receipt of a transcript showing completion of a full course load while abroad. A student may use the Core Equivalency for Study Abroad as an equivalent for either COR 301 or COR-302, but not both. Students may not combine the Core Equivalency for Core Electives Courses with the Core Equivalency for Study Abroad to fulfill their 300-level Core requirements; at least one of either COR 301 or COR 302 must be taken at Oglethorpe.

Students use the Petrels Abroad Portal/ViaTRM to explore program options, apply to study abroad, and submit study abroad related forms. Students benefit from viewing the Study Abroad 101 and Financing Study Abroad 101 tutorials available on Global Education’s YouTube channel, and/or attending an information session or study abroad outreach program. Students are responsible for reviewing the application instructions and completing the application by the published deadline. Students are encouraged to meet with a Global Education advisor to seek guidance before, during, and while abroad. Students must be in good academic standing and financial standing. In addition, the office of student rights and responsibilities is involved in making a determination if a student is considered eligible to study abroad. Upon being approved to study abroad, students must complete the forms available in the portal by the published deadlines. This includes obtaining any required signatures from faculty and staff involved in determining eligibility for earning credit abroad. The deadlines to submit a Study Abroad application:

• September 15 for January term and spring semester programs.
• March 1 for summer programs.
• March 15 for fall programs

Students approved to study abroad will be notified within two weeks of the Oglethorpe study abroad application deadline. Students must complete several forms by the published deadlines. Global Education will enroll students approved for study abroad who are on track with completing pre-departure forms and steps in the FOR section associated with their program choice, enroll the student in a health insurance plan that covers comprehensive medical care and medical evacuation and repatriation while abroad (if they don’t show proof of adequate coverage), and provide guidance related to completing a home campus application and related steps to obtain any required visa or travel permission.

It is the responsibility of the students to complete the application and registration steps with the partner or study abroad provider and that prior to their departure from the host institution abroad they request an official transcript to be mailed to global education. Global education will review and coordinate with the registrar’s office to apply the transfer of credits. Host programs have separate policies, applications, and deadlines that students will also have to follow. Students should read host websites and applications carefully.

Students receiving institutional, federal, or state financial aid may be able to apply to the aid to the educational expenses for study abroad depending on the program type. Students must be in close contact with the director of financial aid early while exploring study-abroad program options to consider how institutional and federal/state aid may apply toward their study abroad.

A variety of external scholarships and grants exist to financially support students who study abroad for credit. Global Education promotes these opportunities to students who have a ViaTRM/Petrels Portal account. Students should consult with the director of financial aid, peruse the scholarship directory on the global education website, and review communication from Global Education about available opportunities, as well as conduct searches broadly. Deadlines for these scholarships can be as much as a year before a program begins, so students should begin their planning as early as possible. Students generally do not need to be accepted to a program to apply for external study abroad scholarships.

10.3.4.1. Policy for a Second Semester of Study at University of Oxford, Oxford, England

If an Oglethorpe student elects to stay for a second semester at University of Oxford, the student will not receive any Oglethorpe University institutional aid or Hope match money to apply toward the cost of the program. The University will bill the student the cost of the semester abroad and will not charge the student the Oxford Study Fee.

Any student applying to study abroad for any length of time must be in good standing with the University (see Sec. 6.22.), and must have at least a 2.0 cumulative grade-point average.  Freshmen may be approved to study abroad (for short-term trips only) after completion of their first semester of their freshmen year and for the summer between their freshman and sophomore year of study. Students with sophomore standing and above may participate in any study abroad program at the University. For definition of class standings, refer to Sec. 6.19.1.

Oglethorpe offers unique opportunities for students to study for one semester or academic year at a wide variety of partnership colleges and universities. The current list of international exchange partners can be found on the global education website. Tuition for these exchanges is paid to Oglethorpe at the current Oglethorpe rate. Other costs, such as lab fees, supply fees, room and board, etc. may be charged by partner universities. The current fees assessed by each partnership institution are available through the website of the partner institution.

Courses students take at partnership institutions are treated as courses taken in residence at Oglethorpe University for purposes of the residency requirement (see Sec. 8.3.). In addition, all students approved to earn credit for an academic program abroad (study or internship for credit) must complete the pre-departure orientation requirements outlined in their approval notification.

Oglethorpe students may study abroad at a recognized, accredited university, through a program sponsored by an American college or university which awards credit from the home institution, or through Oglethorpe-approved provider programs.  Numerous opportunities exist for any qualified student to study at non-partnership programs of the student’s choice throughout the world, in science, economics, social sciences, languages, art, communications, the liberal arts, and business. Global education office staff and faculty advisors guide students to the appropriate study abroad program to achieve individual goals and objectives.

Oglethorpe University institutional aid and Hope match money cannot be applied to student expenses at non-partner universities and programs. The offices of global education and financial aid will help the student explore financial aid and other resources that may be available, but Oglethorpe University does not collect, nor become involved in collecting, any monies for the host university.  Financial transactions for studying at a non-partner college or university are solely between the student and the host institution.

Courses students take at non-partnership institutions approved by a student’s faculty advisor and the director of global education, are treated as courses taken in residence at Oglethorpe University for purposes of the residency requirement (see Sec. 8.3.).

The global education office, in conjunction with Oglethorpe University faculty, creates, organizes, and directs short-term, for-credit academic study programs abroad often during January and summer terms. Oglethorpe professors develop these programs as intensive explorations of culture, music, history, politics, art, archaeology, and business. Destinations have included locations in Asia, Central and Latin America, Europe, and North Africa. Students are required to take any short-term program for credit, and cannot participate in any short-term program without also enrolling in the required course. Student participation in these programs and in the associated course usually includes note-taking, photography, field documentation, journaling, written and/or oral presentations, and a research project to be completed after returning from the program as independent work with the professor. A current list of short-term programs can be found on the global education website.

Through the Washington International Studies Council/Oxford Study Abroad Programme (OSAP), up to 10 students each academic year who have a minimum GPA of 3.0 and wish to study at the University of Oxford for a semester or an academic year may do so as an associate student of an Oxford college with university privileges. While at Oxford, students live with international students in Oxford housing. By special agreement, tuition and housing costs for Oxford study are charged at a special rate negotiated for Oglethorpe students and are paid to Oglethorpe University. Oglethorpe students approved to study at Oxford are assessed Oglethorpe tuition and fees as well as a $7,800 Oxford Fee that covers housing costs. All institutional aid applies toward the semester of study at Oxford. All students who study at Oxford will receive an Oxford transcript. Applications and eligibility requirements can be discussed with a global education advisor. See Sec. 10.3.4.1. for special information on financial assistance and costs for those who study at University of Oxford for a second semester.

Through our unique partnership with LeadAbroad, students can study abroad over the summer on credit or non-credit bearing programs at several locations in Europe, Central America, and South Africa via a GO, LEAD, PRO, or DIRECT program. These summer programs combine the best aspects of studying abroad, international service, and adventure ranging from 10 days to 5 weeks.

LEAD and GO programs welcome students from universities around the world for a summer study-abroad program lasting four to five weeks. Students live abroad, take classes from Oglethorpe University faculty and explore a host city from different perspectives, like history, art, culture, communications, and business. In all LEAD locations, students will learn about leadership and service firsthand through the innovative curriculum. Oglethorpe University approves all academic faculty, syllabi, course pedagogy, and materials for the two courses:

• Leadership: Global Theory and Practice
• Global Citizenship and Civic Engagement.

All LeadAbroad students must take two Oglethorpe University courses for a total of six semester hours within the context of the program abroad. In addition to LeadAbroad applications, Oglethorpe University students who elect to study on LeadAbroad programs for credit must also submit both a study abroad application and a study abroad authorization form to the Global Education Office. More information is available from Global Education.

GO and GO programs include independent travel, cultural excursions and a unique personal development focus. Students will take two courses per five-week session to earn six semester hours of Oglethorpe University credit or one course per four-week session to earn three semester hours of Oglethorpe University credit during their time abroad. Oglethorpe University students who elect to study on GO or LEAD programs for credit must also submit both a study abroad application and a study abroad authorization form to the Global Education Office. For more information, see Global Education.

The federal government, Department of Homeland Security (DHS), oversees the rules and regulations that apply to international students studying at Oglethorpe with an F student visa. F-1 students are required to comply with the DHS laws to remain in-status with the conditions of their visa. The role of the International Student Advisor is to ensure Oglethorpe completes federal reporting requirements, provide broad individualized support for international students, including orientation sessions to help international students understand the resources available to them and understand these guidelines. ISS also liaises with various departments University-wide to verify full-time status, process reduced course load requests when appropriate, provide guidance on working opportunities (on-campus work, CPT, and OPT), conduct workshops for F-1 student-related issues, and notify students of processes and deadlines to maintain status and file federally mandated forms. For additional information, visit the global education website.