IOS encourages students to look into studying off campus early. For many of our programs applications open a year to 6 months in advance. Talk with your academic advisor and support network to see when off=campus study would benefit you in your time at St. Olaf.
Each year, more than 800 St. Olaf students study off-campus in Africa and the Middle East, Asia, Europe, North, South and Central America, and the United States. Students can study off-campus for a semester, semester plus interim, interim only, year and summer. Typically students study off-campus during their sophomore, junior, and first semester or during interim of their senior year.
The opportunity to apply for an off-campus program is available to ALL St. Olaf College students. However, participation is not guaranteed to all students. A selection process, prerequisites and minimum requirements are in place for each program.
IOS understands that there are many reasons for wanting to study off-campus and considerations that you may have. This worksheet will help you develop your goals and program preferences. Meet with an IOS Advisor to help you with program selection.
All students participating in St. Olaf College off-campus programs pay St. Olaf tuition and additional program costs. A detailed budget chart can be found for each program under 'Budget Sheets' by clicking on the specific program of interest and term. A cost grid to compare semester, year and interim programs can be found on the lefthand side menu under 'Semester/Year Program Costs' and 'Interim Program Costs'.
Studying off-campus for a semester or year is typically most cost-effective! St. Olaf students are automatically considered for an off-campus scholarship if they study on an IOS program. There is no application fee to apply to study off-campus.
St. Olaf offers a unique advising model. Along with an IOS advisor, each program has a program advisor. Program advisors are faculty members qualified to offer academic advice on specific programs. IOS also offers application support.
Students interested in studying off-campus will submit an application for their program(s) of interest to IOS through the IOS application portal. Step-by-step application guides for interim and semester or year programs detail the application process.
Students study off campus for different reasons. All are valid! Some programs extend the scope of particular majors, language concentrations or area studies; all add a cross-cultural dimension to a liberal arts education. GE and major/concentration credits can transfer back to St. Olaf.
St. Olaf students who study off-campus on St. Olaf approved programs stay on track for graduation. General Education credits and major credits from approved off-campus programs count towards graduation. These credits do not count towards GPA unless taught by St. Olaf faculty, but they do appear on the St. Olaf transcript.
Staying safe and healthy while off campus is important. All students comply by St. Olaf policies while off campus. All students are encouraged to research their host community prior to arrival for any health and safety concerns they may have.
IOS will support students academic, medical, and disability accommodations as they prepare for their time off-campus – academically and personally. Do your research; talk to your support networks, talk to IOS and the Center for Advising and Academic Support in order to get more information about access and accommodations in your host community.
IOS supports all students before, during and after their off-campus program. Immersion into a new environment, both domestically and internationally brings about challenges and reassessment of ones own identity. How will you prepare to enter the host community? What does it mean to be a guest?
Questions may be directed to our office by email at ios@stolaf.edu or by phone at +1 (507) 786-3069. International and Off-Campus Studies is located in Tomson 380. Office staff and faculty program advisors are available to answer questions and assist you with choosing a program to suit your academic and personal needs.