MISSION STATEMENT
Center for International Education
The mission of the Center for International Education (CIE) is to promote intercultural communication
and exchange, cross-cultural understanding, and transnational competence between the people of
Albion College and the global com
Goals for accomplishing this mission include a commitment to:
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Provide and support high quality academic off-campus learning opportunities
Serve the academic, personal and immigration needs of our international students
Support the International House as a living-learning residence for students of French, Spanish,
German and Japanese, and a center for international programming.
Encourage an appreciation of cultural diversity, on and off campus.
Support campus initiatives to lead the Albion College community toward a global perspective.
Provide friendly, efficient and personal service, with cultural sensitivity.
You are reading this guide to off-campus study because you are considering going off campus for a
semester, year, or summer term. Perhaps you have already selected a program or you are still
undecided about off-campus study. This guide contains important information about off-campus
programs at Albion; please read it carefully. Also, please visit the Center for International Education
(CIE) any time. We will be happy to provide more specific information and answer your questions.
Center for International Education and Off-Campus Programs
(CIE)
Vulgamore Hall 306
KC Box # 4690
Debra Peterson, Director
517-629-0307
Sherri Lang, secretary
517-629-0392
TABLE OF CONTENTS
Abbreviations and Acronyms:
ACM: Associated Colleges of the Midwest. A consortium of 14 Midwestern colleges. Albion is not a
member.
CIE: Center for International Education
GLCA: Great Lakes Colleges Association, Inc., a nonprofit corporation. A consortium of 12 Midwestern
colleges. Albion is a member.
OCP: Off-Campus Programs
OCP handbook: located on the CIE website, contains basic information about each off-campus program
TYPES OF OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS
Off-campus programs fall into two broad geographical categories: sponsored programs abroad and special programs
in the USA. Albion is a member of the Great Lakes Colleges Association, Inc. (GLCA). Member colleges in the GLCA
manage programs in both categories.
A. OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS ABROAD
Most students planning to study abroad choose to study under the auspices of a program. A program may be
sponsored by Albion, by other American colleges or universities, or occasionally by foreign institutions. Such programs
relieve the student of bureaucratic red-tape by handling all or part of the housing, and registration arrangements and
securing smooth transfer of credit back to Albion. As most of the programs have been operating for several years, you
can be confident that your experience away from Albion will be rewarding. Your personal goals and academic needs
will determine which program you choose. There are five types of sponsored programs:
“ I really don’t think I could have learned, honestly, anything of what I learned there, over
here.”
Kristen Simmons Guanajuato, Mexico Fall 2008
1. Programs that offer their own courses exclusively for American/foreign students. All courses are taught by
faculty members of the sponsoring institution and by foreign faculty members engaged specifically for the
program. Albion students who participate in this type of program are required to study the language of the
country for the duration of their stay. For some programs, the language of instruction is English. Other
programs require students to have some language proficiency before they arrive; all instruction is in the target
language. Examples: Students on the Japan Study Program study Japanese before and during the program,
but classroom instruction is in English. Students on Albion’s program in Grenoble, France take all their course
work in French.
2.
Programs that enroll American students directly in a foreign university for a full course of study. The
language of instruction is the language of the country. Therefore, enrollment in a university in a non-English
speaking country requires a high degree of foreign language proficiency. This type of program usually
provides challenging intellectual opportunities in courses that are more specialized than those generally
offered in American undergraduate institutions. Examples: University of Aberdeen, Scotland, Kalamazoo
College programs in Kenya and Sénégal, and Albion’s direct enrollment programs at the University of Cape
Town, South Africa and University College Cork, Cork, Ireland.
3. Programs that combine courses arranged for American/foreign students with part-time enrollment in a foreign
university. Students do part of their academic work with fellow Americans and part with native students in the
local university. Proficiency in the language of the country is necessary. Depending on the students’ degree
of fluency, more or fewer courses at the university can be arranged. Examples: Antioch’s program in
Tübingen, Germany and the CIEE program in Alicante, Spain.
4. The independent study program, which often offers intensive language and cultural training upon arrival, and
on-site supervision of an independent study/research project. This type of program is for the highly motivated
and well-prepared student. Examples: Associated Colleges of the Midwest (ACM) India Studies Program and
the SFS (School for Field Studies) program in Kenya.
5. The combined academic/internship program is becoming increasingly popular as an overseas and USA
option for Albion students. These programs require a high degree of maturity and motivation and, if they are
located in a non-English speaking country, proficiency in the foreign language. Examples: Educational
Programmes Abroad London internships, Boston University’s Paris Internship Program, the Philadelphia
Center and the New York Arts Program.
“It is indescribable, just go~ You learn so much”
Sandy Turay Ghana Fall 2008
B. SPECIAL PROGRAMS IN THE USA
Some of these programs are sponsored by universities and others are administered by member colleges of the GLCA.
A few programs are independent centers not connected to any university. Several have in common an internship
component for which you may receive academic credit (e.g., the Urban Life Center in Chicago (independent center),
the Philadelphia Center (managed by Hope College), the New York Arts Program (managed by Ohio Wesleyan
University). Other programs, such as the Oak Ridge National Laboratory (managed by Denison University), have a
very specialized, single discipline focus.
SUBJECT AREAS FOR OFF-CAMPUS STUDY
Nearly all academic disciplines offered at Albion may be studied off-campus. Sometimes students in the humanities
and social sciences can integrate more easily their off-campus programs into their work at Albion. For a complete list
of programs available by Major please visit the CIE website at www.albion.edu/intledu or visit our office in Vulgamore
Hall, Suite 306.
INTERNSHIPS
As mentioned above, several programs in the USA and abroad offer internship opportunities as well as course work.
Often, the off-campus program weaves the course work and the internship experience together into an integrated
curriculum. Examples: The Philadelphia Center, Washington Semester Program, the Urban Life Center in Chicago.
There are internship possibilities for most majors. Please ask for more information in the CIE.
"IT WAS WONDERFUL! BY FAR THE BEST EXPERIENCE EVER. IT CANNOT COMPARE TO ANYTHING-THE PEOPLE
YOU MEET, CULTURES, INTERNSHIP, CLASSES, TRAVELING-IT WAS ALL SO GREAT!!
" NICOLE SMITH, BOSTON UNIVERSITY SYDNEY INTERNSHIP PROGRAM, SPRING 2007.
WHEN TO GO OFF-CAMPUS
Students frequently ask whether to plan for one semester, a full year at one program, or two semesters off campus on
different programs. The decision depends upon your academic goals, the ability to integrate your study off campus into
your academic program at Albion, and many other factors (including money). However, most students find that a full
academic year is more rewarding academically, socially and personally than a shorter period. Some programs are
designed especially for one-semester students, and a limited number of summer programs are available for those who
cannot reconcile off-campus study with their Albion work load. PLEASE NOTE that you can count up to two semesters
or one academic year of off-campus study toward graduation (eight Albion units).
The junior year is the usual time for off-campus study, although a few Albion students go in their senior year,
especially the first semester. However, most students go off campus during their junior year. Junior year is the time
after you have declared a major and minor, begun work in most fields, and completed most of your core requirements.
You return to Albion as a senior, ready to complete your four-year education with a broader perspective. Albion does
not permit students to do off-campus work earlier than the junior year. If you are considering studying off campus
in your senior year, you should plan the move carefully. You will want to take extra care throughout the application
process to ensure that you will meet all your graduation requirements. Participation in an off-campus program during
the last semester of your senior year may delay graduation.
VERY IMPORTANT CONSIDERATIONS
Here are some questions that might help you decide if an off-campus experience is right for you. Also, they may help
you clarify your thoughts on the kind of OCP experience you would like. Please take the time to read this section
carefully and answer the questions honestly. The director of the CIE will be happy to talk with you about any
questions or concerns you may have.
GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS
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Why do I want to participate in an off-campus program?
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What are my expectations for my off-campus program experience? What do I want to have happen
during my time away?
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What aspect of an OCP is most important to me (courses, locale, cultural experiences, internship,
travel)?
ACADEMIC CONSIDERATIONS
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What do I hope to gain from the experience academically?
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What courses or subjects do I want or need to study?
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Do I want an internship and study experience or do I prefer just studying in a university setting?
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Do I want to take classes in English or in a foreign language?
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Are there specific Core requirements, category requirements, or courses for my major that I must complete
while I am away from Albion? Please note that it is sometimes impossible to meet these requirements on an
off-campus program.
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What do my faculty advisor and major department think of my
plans?
PRACTICAL CONSIDERATIONS
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In what area, country or city would I like to study?
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How long do I want to be away?
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How much money can I afford to spend?
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Does my participation depend upon receiving financial aid?
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Do I have any special needs that may influence my choice of program? Special needs can include
vegetarianism, learning disabilities, physical disabilities, and allergies.
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What is my foreign language ability?
PERSONAL CONSIDERATIONS
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At this stage of my life, am I in good mental and physical health? Do I have any problems that would
be difficult to handle someplace else?
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Are there difficult situations in my life that cause me significant stress? A study away experience will
exacerbate personal problems and stress symptoms.
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Am I prepared to be away from my family and friends for a summer, semester or year?
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How well do I adjust to new situations? Am I able to be flexible and adaptable?
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Am I ready to be independent and self-reliant?
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How do I learn? Do I like a highly structured learning environment? A moderately structured learning
environment? Or, do I prefer to learn independently, to be a self-directed learner?
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What kind of housing would I find most comfortable?
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Would I prefer living and studying with other Americans, with students of the host country, or with a
combination of both?
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How do I feel about living in a large city?
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Do I enjoy dealing with details and red-tape on my own, or do I prefer having someone help me?
FOREIGN LANGUAGE FLUENCY
The importance of knowing a foreign language cannot be overemphasized. Academic, social and personal integration
into the host country depends on the ability to communicate. If you plan to study in a foreign university, you must know
the language well enough to follow lectures, do reading and research, and take examinations. Thus, you must be
highly proficient in the language.
Enrollment in some USA or British-sponsored programs is not based on demonstrated proficiency in a foreign
language. However, if you participate in a foreign language program, you must be prepared and willing to learn the
language while you are in the country through intensive language study and daily contact with people.
ACCOMMODATIONS
On an OCP, you may expect to live in a pension, a dorm, , an apartment, or with a host family. The nature of the living
accommodations is described in the program information literature. The type of accommodation available may be the
determining factor in your choice of program, all other things being equal. The foreign universities on Albion’s list of
programs approved for Albion credit usually provide dormitory accommodations for our students.
COST OF PROGRAMS
You can apply 75% of your Albion College Scholarship and 100% of any need based aid toward the cost of your offcampus program experience, up to the cost of an Albion education. Most programs are within that cost. In addition,
students are encouraged to seek additional scholarships from the external program to assist with the cost of an off
campus experience.
However, how much money you spend will depend on where you go, how you live, and how much you travel on
weekends and vacations. It also will depend on internal economic conditions of the country where you are going to
study and on the strength of its currency against that of the US dollar. Programs have different prices and different
things are included in the program fee. Please check out the various programs for cost. This could well be a factor that
causes you to choose one program over another. For more information about cost and off-campus study, please see
the section on finances under Policies and Procedures.
"It will definitely remain as one of the most memorable experiences of my life. I would
recommend it to anyone to go abroad." Lauren Karcz, University College Cork, Ireland, Fall
2006.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Besides the OCP handbook, the CIE has a small reference library with books on foreign educational systems and
reference works dealing with foreign study. Here is a list of some reference materials that you may want to consult
early in the planning stage.
1. PROGRAM LITERATURE: On our Off-Campus Wall in the CIE. Ask also for the programs’ web site
addresses.
2. PROGRAM EVALUATIONS: Albion students complete a program evaluation form after their off-campus
experience. You will find these forms in loose leaf binders on the open shelf in the CIE. We encourage you to
read the evaluations for the programs you are considering before making any final decision. They invariably
provide information that a promotional brochure would not or could not!
3. LISTS OF RETURNEES: Albion students who have returned to campus from off-campus programs are
excellent sources of information, as are the faculty advisors to the programs. You will find lists of returnees
and faculty advisors in the back of this booklet and at the CIE.
4. STUDY ABROAD WEB SITES: Students looking for information about study abroad programs may find the
following websites useful:
studyabroad.com
goabroad.com
iiepassport.org
5. WORLD ATLAS
6. International Handbook of Universities 15th Edition: Basic information about universities and other institutions
of higher learning outside the Commonwealth.
7. Getting the Most from Study Abroad, New York: Natavi Guides 2002 Provides written works by students with
study abroad experience for students looking for study abroad tips.
8. Academic Year Abroad 2002. Institute of International Education, ed. Marie O’Sullevan: A complete guide to
planning an academic year or semester abroad.
9. Peterson’s Study Abroad 2002.
10. Peterson’s Summer Study Abroad 2002.
11. Alternative Travel Directory 2002, general editor, Clayton
Hubbs. This thorough up to date directory is billed as “the complete
guide to work, study, and travel overseas.”
12. The WORLD WIDE WEB. A wealth of information about countries, universities and safety and health issues.
Two important sites are:
US State Department Travel Warnings and Consular Information
This site describes tense or dangerous situations around the world. It also provides general travel information
about all countries. An important source of information for your country of choice.
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
This is another must see site to find out what health risks exist for the areas where you plan to study or travel.
Also, the CDC lists necessary inoculations and prophylactic measures.
Once you have selected your OCP options, you will find other books, maps, brochures, etc., in the CIE about your
study abroad destination as well as on the program's web site. These materials may help answer your questions or
concerns about travel, entertainment possibilities, politics, etc. Famous among all student travelers is the Let’s Go
series. There are also Lonely Planet on a Shoestring guides for Western Europe and Australia.
SAFETY AND RESPONSIBILITY
Albion College makes every effort to assure the safety and welfare of its students. However, travel anywhere involves
a measure of risk. It would be foolish for anyone to promise you that nothing can happen to you during your offcampus experience.
However, there are things that you can do to lessen the possibility of sustaining an injury, getting sick, or being a victim
of crime. When you are an off-campus student, you are an independent adult; you are responsible for your actions and
for taking appropriate health and safety precautions. We encourage you to check the WWW sites listed above. Also,
your program will be a good source of information and advice.
SUMMER PROGRAMS
There are several off-campus programs that also run summer sessions. Students apply to these summer sessions
during the preceding spring semester. As noted previously, application to these programs follows the same
procedures outlined in the section on “How to Apply.”
Application to other summer study programs abroad or to summer school in the US does not involve the CIE. The
director of the CIE, though willing to discuss summer options with students, does not have administrative responsibility
for non-Albion affiliated summer programs. You apply directly to the program in which you are interested. You do not
follow the OCP application procedure required for Albion’s off-campus programs. If you want to receive transfer credit
for academic work completed on a summer program, check with the Registrar and the chair of the Albion
department(s) in whose discipline(s) you will be studying.
Summer programs abroad sponsored by American colleges and universities are listed in Vacation Study Abroad, ed.
Sara J. Steen.
There are many summer programs overseas sponsored by foreign universities without an American college
intermediary. Also read Transitions, a study abroad magazine in the CIE, for announcements of unusual summer
programs, e.g., to the People’s Republic of China.
You cannot use any payment plans for Summer Off Campus Programs
GOING ON AN OCP THAT IS NOT ON THE LIST OF PROGRAMS APPROVED FOR ALBION CREDIT
A. ONE-TIME-ONLY APPROVALS
Under extraordinary circumstances, the Off-Campus Programs Advisory Committee may designate a program not on
the Albion-approved list as an Albion-approved program for the duration of study for a particular student or group of
students. Students who find that no Albion-approved program meets their academic needs may petition the OCP
Advisory Committee for a one-time-only approval of a program not on the approved list.
B. NON ALBION-APPROVED PROGRAMS
Occasionally students choose to enroll directly in a foreign university or with another sponsored program not on
Albion's list of approved programs. Applying on your own to these programs can be risky, tricky, and time consuming.
However, it has been done by a few students. Here are some things to keep in mind if you choose this route:
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You must take a leave of absence for the semester or year of the program
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It is your responsibility to make all the arrangements for the off-campus program.
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You must consult with the Registrar about receiving credit for a non-Albion approved program.
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No grades are recorded
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You must petition a waiver of the on-campus residency requirement (last twelve units completed on campus).
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You may not use Albion financial aid for non-Albion approved programs.
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If you are attending an Albion-approved program or a program approved on a one-time-only basis, you must
attend the program as an Albion student to receive credit.
Note that students who fail to follow College procedures regarding off-campus study, or who withdraw or take a leave
of absence from Albion to circumvent existing College regulations regarding off-campus study, will not receive credit
for coursework done off campus.
Students choosing to attend a non-Albion off-campus program MUST insure that the following steps are completed.
1. An “Official Transcript” from an accredited institution must be received by the Office of the Registrar
upon completion of the course of study. Programs or institutions that are not accredited or that do not have an
affiliation with an accredited institution for transcript purposes, will not be considered for credit. The Registrar
can assist in determining the accreditation status of programs and institutions.
2. If this is your last semester, you must petition the Committee on Academic Status and Petitions to waive
the residency requirement and file an Application to Graduate.
POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
ACADEMIC QUALIFICATIONS
FOR OFF-CAMPUS STUDY
A. CRITERIA
To study off-campus, you must meet the following criteria:
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Junior standing or higher by the time you participate in the program.
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A cumulative G.P.A. of at least 2.7. Some programs require a level of preparation and a demonstrated
proficiency well above a cumulative grade point average of 2.7. Check with the CIE.
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Good social standing, as defined by the vice-president for student affairs and dean of students.
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Successful completion of the Writing Competency Examination by the time you participate in the
program.
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Demonstrated maturity commensurate with the demands of the OCP.
Particular OCPs may have more stringent requirements or may require special course preparation. In these cases, the
program requirements become the minimum requirements. To be approved for off-campus study, you must
demonstrate in your written application that you have thought carefully about what you want to do, and that your
proposed off-campus program is connected in some meaningful way with your degree work at Albion. This does not
necessarily mean a direct connection with work in your major field of study. By the time you submit your formal OCP
application you should be able to answer all or most of the questions posed in the section above headed “Other
Considerations.
B. TRANSFER STUDENTS
Transfer students must spend at least two semesters on the Albion campus and meet all other requirements before
undertaking any off-campus study.
C. ON-CAMPUS RESIDENCY REQUIREMENT
A student participating in an Off-Campus Program on the list of programs approved for Albion credit is considered a
student in residence at the College.
D. MAXIMUM AMOUNT OF TIME ON OCP
The maximum amount of off-campus programs’ credit a student may count toward graduation is two semesters (8.0
units of credit).
HOW TO APPLY
Choosing the right program for your needs and interests is the most important part of the planning/application process.
You may apply to more than one program if you so desire. However, weighing your alternatives carefully before
submitting the final application and then applying to only one program will save you considerable time, work and
anxiety. To make the right choice, please follow the steps and procedures outlined in this section of the OCP booklet.
A. BEFORE SUBMITTING YOUR WRITTEN OCP APPLICATION, PLEASE:
1. Read this handbook carefully.
2. Consult program literature, student evaluations, and reference works that have bearing on the program(s) or
institution(s) in which you are interested.
3. Ask questions of the director or staff in the CIE if you are unsure about anything. We are here to help!
4. Discuss your intentions and plans with your faculty advisor (and with the chair of your intended major
department, if your advisor is in a different department).
B. ONCE YOU HAVE DECIDED TO APPLY TO A PROGRAM, SIGN THE TRANSCRIPT RELEASE FORM IN THE
REGISTRAR'S OFFICE.
That will release copies of your transcripts to our office.
C. OBTAIN AN APPOINTMENT WITH THE DIRECTOR OF CIE.
Please email slang@albion.edu and set up an appointment time. This usually takes about 30 minutes. The
applications will be given you at that time. The written application process has two distinct parts: an Albion OCP
application and a host program (or institution) application. Complete both these applications and make a copy of
everything. Hand in the applications and the copies by the Albion College deadline date.
D. THE APPLICATION FORMS
The Albion application consists of several pages of information to be gathered by you and checked and signed by your
academic advisor, department chair, Registrar, an alum of the OCP, and the advisor to the OCP. The purpose of these
signatures is to insure that you gather the most information and get the best advice (some of it in writing). Thus, you
will know what you are getting into before you leave the campus and you will receive the credit you deserve when you
return to Albion.
Also in the Albion application you will find forms for letters of recommendation, a parental agreement, medical
agreement, and an essay to complete. You must also complete your host program’s application form (or, in the case
of direct enrollment, the host institution’s form). Parts of this form may duplicate the Albion application, but both must
be completed. However, you will write only one essay, the program essay, unless it is to be written in a foreign
language (Spanish) and then you need to write an English version. Faculty evaluations can be duplicated for use with
program applications when appropriate. Please return the completed program applications to the CIE. The faculty
recommendations should be sent directly to the CIE.
Again, please return all completed forms to the CIE, and request faculty members to do the same. You should
NOT send them out yourself.
E. WHAT HAPPENS AFTER YOU SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION
1. After the application deadline, the Off-Campus Programs Advisory Committee reads the applications and
grants or denies approval. You will be notified in writing of their decision.
2. The CIE forwards the applications to the appropriate programs, along with supporting documents from the
CIE. The program then accepts or rejects the candidates. However, in nearly every case approval for offcampus study by the Off-Campus Programs Advisory Committee results in admission to the program.
3. Once approval for off-campus study is granted, you attend a required general orientation meeting. This
orientation discusses important issues about the upcoming off-campus experience and reentry to Albion after
the off-campus summer, semester, or year. Parents also are invited to this orientation.
4. There is a subsequent required international orientation session for students studying abroad and special
orientations for certain programs. Parents are also invited to these orientations.
5. In certain cases where a student does not meet the minimum qualifications for off-campus study, the OffCampus Programs Advisory Committee may grant the applicant conditional approval to study off campus. The
approval is conditional upon the student attaining the minimum qualifications by the end of the semester
before off-campus study.
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Approval of your application presupposes that you will successfully complete the academic year or
semester preceding the proposed period of off-campus study, maintaining a minimum GPA of 2.7. If
your level of academic achievement falls below 2.7, you will be required to withdraw from the OffCampus program without any refund of deposits or payments made.
Students who are not in good social standing are ineligible for off-campus study.
You must have already passed the Writing Competence Examination before leaving on your program
If your program’s deadline is earlier than Albion’s deadline, be sure to allow at least two weeks for your Albion
application to be reviewed (see the OCP handbook page description of the program for the exact date). If your
program’s deadline is later than Albion’s, you must still meet the Albion OCP application deadline.
Please note again that students who wish to attend the summer session of an off-campus program on the list of
programs approved for Albion credit must go through the same application process as students attending the
semester-long programs.
PRE-DEPARTURE ORIENTATION
All students planning to study off campus must attend and participate in the pre-departure orientations. The orientation
sessions are held late in the fall and spring semesters. The sessions provide crucial information and materials for
maintaining your Albion student status while on an off-campus program. They offer advice and background information
about living and studying on an off-campus program.
The pre-departure orientations are:
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October 27, 2010 International Orientation, KC Stack 6-8pm
October 29,2010 General Orientation, Norris 101 3-5pm
INSURANCE
Insurance is supplied by Albion College for all students that purchased Albion College Insurance at the
beginning of the year. If you do not have Albion College Insurance you need to have a waiver. Your
insurance company must send you paperwork proving that you have sufficient coverage, including
medical evacuation and repatriation then in turn you must supply it to the Center for International
Education. Some programs supply insurance to the students attending their programs, check with the
CIE office to see if your program is one of them.
INTERNATIONAL STUDENT ID CARD
If you are going abroad, you also will want to purchase an International Student ID Card (ISIC). They may be
purchased online at www.myISIC.com. The cost is currently $25 but that may change. The ID card is very useful for
discount prices into entertainment events, museums, and for lodging. This card also includes limited accident and
health insurance as well as medical evacuation and repatriation benefits. If you show proof of this card, the IAP may
be waived.
ACADEMIC CREDIT
Academic and internship credit for off-campus programs on the list of programs approved for Albion credit will transfer
back to the campus as if the student were on campus. Usually, the equivalent of 4.0 units of credit per semester and
8.0 units of credit per academic year will apply. However, some programs may have more or less credit. The OCP
handbook contains information about credit for each program. All OCPs are done for credit. That is, non-credit
(auditor) work is not allowed except in addition to the full time load of the program.
Other particulars about credit:

All courses taken off campus are recorded on Albion’s numerical grade basis, unless the student
specifically requests grades of credit/no credit. Students need to submit this request in writing to the
Registrar’s office no later than two weeks after the first day of classes on their program. If students do not
notify the Registrar’s office in writing of their intention to take classes on a credit/no credit basis, their course
work will be graded numerically. Students should keep a copy of all appropriate requests and authorizations.

Normally, all off-campus programs carry course loads of three to four units each semester. If there is
an opportunity to register for over 4 .50 units, the student must have a cumulative grade point average of 3.3.
Exceptions to this requirement will require approval from the Petitions Committee.

All internships are graded credit/no credit. The CIE only offers academic non-paid internships

Students should not plan to complete core requirements while attending an off-campus program
unless they obtain written authorization from the Registrar.

For category requirements, the chair of the appropriate category committee must approve an offcampus program course for that category requirement. You should petition the category committee for
approval before you attend the program. If you find you must substitute a new course for the one approved by
the committee, you must notify the committee and request approval for the new course.

Successful completion of an off-campus program abroad (or the Border Studies program) for at least
one semester fulfills the Global Studies category requirement.

Drop and Add - If students change classes after returning the schedule of classes to the Registrar,
they must notify the Registrar of the change, in writing.

If a student withdraws from the off-campus program before the completion of the semester, the
student will be expected to notify, in writing, the Office of Student Life, the Director of the CIE, and the
Registrar.

Courses taken off campus that are to be applied toward a major must be approved, in writing on the
off-campus programs application, by the department chair. The student should turn in a copy of this approval
to the Registrar's office.

Courses for your major or the education program must be taken for a grade unless written permission
is obtained from the department chair.

Students returning from an off-campus program must complete a post-program evaluation form to
receive credit for their off-campus study.

Off-campus semesters are not considered when determining eligibility for Dean’s List and/or Albion
Fellows.

Participating in an off-campus program during the last semester of the senior year may delay
graduation.

Students who fail to follow College procedures regarding off-campus study, or who withdraw or take a
leave of absence from Albion and thus circumvent existing College regulations regarding off-campus study,
will not receive credit for coursework done off campus.
Thus, a student attending either a program on the list of programs approved for Albion credit or a program approved
on a one-time-only basis, must attend the program as an Albion student to receive credit.
A transcript of your courses and grades must be sent by the host institution to Albion's CIE Director. The transcript is
retained as part of your permanent record. At your request, a copy may be included with your Albion transcript as part
of graduate school applications, etc., if the host institution is unable to send another transcript within the prescribed
time.
FINANCES
A. COST OF PROGRAMS

If you participate in an off-campus program, you pay at least Albion tuition and fees. Tuition and
maintenance costs for off-campus programs usually do not exceed what a student pays for regular room,
board and tuition on campus. However, when those costs exceed those of the Albion College regular fees,
students will be required to pay the difference.

If your off-campus program fees cover all expenses, you may pay Albion room and board fees as well.
For some programs the student pays the sponsoring organization or institution rather than Albion for room and
board fees.

Costs for transportation to and from an off-campus study program are the responsibility of the student.

Full details about billing will be sent to you and your parents during the semester preceding your offcampus program. The Accounting Office will mail the bills from the college earlier than the regular college
billing time. Payment is expected earlier than the regular payment schedule times. The Accounting Office sets
the exact dates. This earlier payment schedule enables the college to meet the billing deadlines set by the offcampus programs.

Please note that it is not possible to use the deferred fee agreements or Academic
Management Services as payment plans for off-campus programs.

Currency conversion on international invoices may cause additional program cost.

Finally, any units over 4.5 may cause additional cost.
B. FINANCIAL AID
75 % of Albion College Scholarships and all external financial aid will transfer to off-campus programs on the list of
programs approved for Albion credit as if the student were on campus. This aid includes merit-based academic
scholarship and need-based financial aid. Financial aid will be available for only two semesters of approved offcampus study. It is the responsibility of the student to discuss the particulars of the aid package for the off-campus
program with the Financial Aid Office.
Only aid approved by the Financial Aid Office may be applied to the bill. Students are limited to the on-campus aid
budget. If program costs exceed the on-campus budget, students need to use their remaining loan eligibility or their
own resources.
C. THE OFF-CAMPUS ADMINISTRATIVE FEE
Every student who participates in an off-campus program, whether for a summer program, one semester, or for the
academic year, pays an off-campus administrative fee of at least $1020 per program, which is added to Albion’s
regular fees.
D. THE OFF-CAMPUS PROGRAMS ADVANCE DEPOSIT
There is a $250 non-refundable deposit, due at the time of the Off-Campus Programs Orientation. This deposit is
credited to the student’s account. It can be paid to the Accounting Office or the CIE office, make sure it is made known
that this is a deposit for OCP. Please include your student number on all payments.
E. REFUND POLICY
In the event an off-campus program closes or a student withdraws from a program, the refund policy of the program
itself will come into effect. While the CIE and the Accounting office will make every effort to recover funds paid to the
program by the College or by the student, any losses incurred by the College may be passed along to the student. The
Albion College Off-Campus Programs administrative fee ($1020) is non refundable, unless the student cannot go on
the program due to circumstances beyond the student’s control. Such circumstances might include denial of admission
by the program, closure of the program, or a significant altering of the program structure or policies.
STUDY ABROAD . . . WHAT CAN I EXPECT?
It is difficult to make generalizations about study abroad because it is a highly individualized experience. However,
there are a few things that you can expect to encounter.
Students are expected to be highly motivated in their studies. Intense “academic pressure” is not as common in other
pedagogical systems as it is in the US. There will probably be less supervision of your academic work than you are
accustomed to here, though this varies according to where you are doing off-campus study. It is important to work
diligently; senior year depends on it.
Often courses abroad are different from courses here; they tend to be more specialized and there are few, if any,
survey courses. Sometimes there are no required quizzes, midterms, or term papers, with success in the course
dependent on the final exam (oral or written).
In some cases, as much as 80 - 100% of a student’s grade can depend on the final exam. The exam period can
be quite long, from four to six weeks. Albion students studying at foreign universities, especially during the spring
semester, must plan to take their exams at the time they are given. Often exams in other university systems go
through an extensive review process before they are given once, on the designated day. Students may not ask to take
exams early.
The grading system abroad can be quite different from the US system. The concept behind passing a course is that
the student has achieved sufficient knowledge to go on to the next level in that subject. Thus, passing a course does
not connote just getting by.
Courses are often graded on a curve, with the majority of grades in a middle range. Therefore, there are many
students who receive passing grades, but few students receive high grades. The emphasis on achieving high grades
or a good GPA that students experience in the US is not relevant in many foreign university systems.
However, in many US college-sponsored programs, courses and grading will be very similar to what students
experience in the US.
In many foreign universities there is little of what we call “campus life.” The university buildings may be in the heart of
a city, but scattered over a considerable area and separated from one another by residences, stores and factories.
You may live in one part of the city, attend classes in another part, work in the library somewhere else, and eat your
meal in a student restaurant on the opposite side of the city. You will thus be faced with problems of everyday city life,
e.g., mass transportation, strikes, impersonal attitudes, tourists, etc., that forms an important complement (and
contrast) to life at Albion.
" You must go!!!!!The program will change your life." Jon O'Hara, Urban Life Center,
Chicago Fall 2005
The students you meet abroad are likely to be rather serious and will tend to act, even with peers, with formality and
reserve. The idea of a “friend” is distinct from the idea of an “acquaintance.” It takes many months to make a “friend”
but once a friendship is formed, it can last a lifetime. If you are living with a family, do not expect to be welcomed
immediately to the bosom of the family like another son or daughter. It does happen, but it is the exception. More
typically, your relationship will start as that between boarder and landlord/landlady. Therein lies the challenge - to
make the relationship grow into something more than the formal, distant relationship it may be initially.
You may be surprised at how politically knowledgeable the students from the host country are. It is very helpful to
study the history and politics of the USA (and the host country) before you go.
Be prepared to undergo a fairly typical adjustment cycle during the first few weeks (or months) of your stay. It may be
a “U” shaped curve, generally starting with a great deal of excitement and euphoria; wherever you are studying seems
to be the most wonderful place on earth. After a while, the novelty wears off and you may feel lonely, frustrated,
disappointed, depressed, homesick and irritable. You may complain about everything and everyone, and wish that
you had never left Albion. Such feelings are perfectly normal and usually pass with time. Things get better, the petty
frustrations disappear, and you finally figure out who you are, where you are, and why you are there. As you complete
your adjustment cycle, you will come to accept and then enjoy everything, including the academics, food, drinks, habits
and customs of the host country. At the end of your stay, you probably will not want to leave and you will try to figure
out how to return to your host country as soon as possible. Prepare as much as possible before you go so that your
expectations will be realistic. Consult faculty members, former OCP students and the CIE for suggestions on what
sorts of books to read. The staff of the CIE is here to help you prepare for a most rewarding off-campus experience.
We look forward to working with you.
The Center for International Education
Albion College
4690 Kellogg Center
Albion, MI 49224
Telephone: 517.629.0307 Fax: 517.629.0617
E-mail: cie@albion.edu