{"id":2827,"date":"2023-07-12T13:10:04","date_gmt":"2023-07-12T18:10:04","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/?page_id=2827"},"modified":"2026-02-12T13:09:44","modified_gmt":"2026-02-12T19:09:44","slug":"study-abroad-away-frequently-asked-questions","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/study-abroad-away-frequently-asked-questions\/","title":{"rendered":"Study Abroad\/Away Frequently Asked Questions"},"content":{"rendered":"<div data-modular-content-collection>\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--white\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper site-section__bg--white\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper \"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\n\n\t\t\t<div\n\t\t\tclass=\"site-section site-panel__wysiwyg panel panel-wysiwyg site-section__bg--normal\"\n\t\t\tdata-depth=\"\"\n\t\t\tdata-js-panel=\"wysiwyg\"\n\t\t>\n\t\n\t\t\t<div class=\"site-section__inner l-wrapper site-section__inner--top-padding-none\">\n\t\n\t\n\t\t\n\t\n\t\n\t<div class=\"site-section__content \">\n\t\t<div class=\"site-grid site-grid__wrapper site-grid__wrapper-stagger\"\n\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t data-name=\"columns\"\n\t\t\t data-livetext>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-grid__col\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"site-panel__wysiwyg-content\">\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"t-content \"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-depth=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-index=\"0\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-autop=\"true\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t data-name=\"column_content\"\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<h4><b>Can I study abroad\/away?<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, if you meet the following requirements (and the requirements of the program to which you are applying):<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You must be a full-time student in good standing at St. Olaf during the semester <\/span><b>prior<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to your program.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You can only participate in <\/span><b>one<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> study abroad\/away program per <\/span><b>academic year<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Work with your <\/span><b>academic advisor and department chair\/program director<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to ensure study abroad\/away credits align with your major(s)\/concentration(s) and timing of graduation.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><b>Important note about leave of absence:<\/b><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You may apply for a program while on leave, but must return to campus for <\/span><b>at least one full semester<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before going abroad.<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"><br \/>\n<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">If you go on leave the semester before your program, you will be <\/span><b>withdrawn<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from the program. This is due to required on-campus orientations and logistical steps that cannot be completed while on leave.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>I\u2019m an international student, can I study abroad\/away?<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes, with some additional considerations:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The visa process may differ greatly from U.S. citizens. Review entry and exit requirements and immigration policies of the intended program\u2019s country before applying.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Studying abroad\/away in your <\/span><b>final semester<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may impact <\/span><b>OPT eligibility<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Meet with the Taylor Center to discuss your current U.S. visa status and plans to study abroad\/away.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>When can I study abroad\/away?<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">In general, you can study abroad\/away beginning your <\/span><b>sophomore year<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> through the <\/span><b>January term of your senior year<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exceptions:<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> First year and transfer students may apply to January Term study abroad\/away programs that have space available once they have arrived on campus.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Transfer students should meet with a Smith Center advisor to discuss whether a semester study abroad\/away program will fit with their academic plan.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">You cannot study abroad\/away during your final term at St. Olaf unless on a St. Olaf faculty-led program.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>What terms can I study abroad\/away?<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">St. Olaf approves the following programs:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Semester\/year-long programs<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>January Term programs<\/b><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Summer programs<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>Can I study abroad\/away on programs not affiliated with the Smith Center?<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes. You can apply to abroad\/away programs not affiliated with the Smith Center, but unlike Smith Center programs, you will not automatically earn St. Olaf credit.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To acquire credits, you must follow the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/transfer-credit-programs\/\"><b>transfer credit approval process<\/b><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">IMPORTANT: Please read and fully understand the process before applying.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>When and how do I apply for a program?<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Apply via <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/stolaf.studioabroad.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">StudioAbroad<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> using your St. Olaf username and password.<\/span>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"2\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before applying, learn more about programs <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/stolaf.studioabroad.com\/index.cfm?FuseAction=Programs.SimpleSearch\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Applications to study abroad\/away open the academic year prior to the start date of the program. Review deadlines and timelines <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/smith-center-events\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>What is a <em>Limited Enrollment<\/em> program?<\/b><\/h4>\n<ul>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Programs labeled as <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited Enrollment<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> will be selective. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Acceptance will be decided based upon student qualifications, academic fit, and the quality of the study abroad\/away application. Not all qualified applications may be accepted. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Check whether your program of interest is Limited Enrollment on the Smith Center program website.\u00a0<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We encourage all students to apply to a second program and consider programs that are not listed as <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Limited Enrollment<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> if appropriate.<\/span><\/li>\n<li><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">We encourage students to meet with Smith Center advisors, faculty program advisors, and the <a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/academic-success\/writing-desk\/\">Writing Center<\/a> when preparing their application. A well-researched and well-written essay is a critical component of the application and will be carefully considered by application reviewers. <\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"list-style-type: none;\"><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>How can I afford to study abroad\/away?<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">St. Olaf offers <\/span><b>financial aid <\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">for all Smith Center affiliated abroad\/away programs.<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Learn about program costs and financial aid available <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/welcome-to-saa\/financing-your-experience\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>IMPORTANT: The Smith Center is able to make a payment on student&#8217;s behalf for specific cases if the cost is program related and exceeds $500.\u00a0 The charge would then be added to the student&#8217;s account in SIS.<\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>How will study abroad\/away affect my credits, grades, and graduation?<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The Smith Center is not able to advise you on which courses to take.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Before applying for a program, please work closely with your <\/span><b>academic advisor, department chair\/program director, and the Registrar\u2019s Office<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to ensure you stay on track to graduate.<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>Can I speak to a Smith Center advisor?<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Yes! Book an appointment with an advisor <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/make-an-appointment\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">here<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<hr \/>\n<h4><b>What are the cancellation policies?<\/b><\/h4>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">See the <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/cancellation-and-refund-policies\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Cancellation and Refund Policy webpage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for more information. <\/span><\/p>\n\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\n\t\t\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid__col -->\n\t\t\t\n\t\t<\/div> <!-- .site-grid, .site-grid__wrapper -->\n\t<\/div> <!-- site-section__content -->\n\n\n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\n<\/div>","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"","protected":false},"author":7534,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-2827","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry"],"acf":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2827","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/7534"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=2827"}],"version-history":[{"count":164,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2827\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":9080,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/2827\/revisions\/9080"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=2827"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=2827"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wp.stolaf.edu\/smithcenter\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=2827"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}