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Participating in a Non-Goucher Program
The Office of International Studies recognizes that Goucher-sponsored study abroad programs may not meet the individual academic, social, and cultural preferences or needs of all students. With this understanding, Goucher allows students to participate in non-Goucher programs that OIS has reviewed and approved for transfer credit. Students interested in semester-long non-Goucher study abroad programs must submit petitions to the Associate Dean of International Studies.
Participation in approved non-Goucher programs will fulfill the study abroad requirement, and allow you to apply your federal financial aid (Stafford loans, etc.) to the non-Goucher program if the program is a semester or longer in duration. (Goucher merit aid will not be transferable to any non-Goucher program.)
Following are the steps for students who wish to participate in an approved non-Goucher program.
STEP 1: RESEARCH PROGRAM OPTIONS
OIS encourages all students to explore Goucher College’s semester study abroad programs and Intensive Courses Abroad. If, after exploring Goucher-sponsored programs, you do not find an appropriate program that meets your needs and interests, you can begin to research programs sponsored by other schools and institutions. You must meet with an OIS advisor to discuss the program(s) in which you plan to participate, to make sure that they are approved. OIS highly recommends that you wait to apply to non-Goucher programs until you have met with an OIS advisor.
To Research Non-Goucher Programs:
Internet Resources
Campus Resources
Take a few minutes to stop into OIS and look through brochures and other resources regarding your program options. We also have program evaluations from past study abroad participants, which can be helpful as you limit your list of potential programs.
Things to Think About When Researching Program Options:
1. Objectives: Why do you want to study abroad? Do you want to learn another language? What kind of graduation requirements do you want to fill? Will you study something you can’t study here? Would you like to participate in service-learning, an internship, or another type of experiential learning?
2. Classes: What do you want to take? Do you want to study with other Americans or with host nationals? Be sure to find out about the educational systems of the programs and countries that interest you. Would you be able to adapt well to a different academic environment? What is the grading system like? Be sure to understand how the foreign credit system works and how it will translate to Goucher credits.
3. Language: Do you want to learn a language? What is your proficiency level? Do you want to take classes in English? Keep in mind the Foreign Language Department must approve all foreign language classes taken abroad.
4. Location: Where do you want to go and why? Do you want to be in a big city or smaller town? Are you interested in a particular culture?
5. Living Situation: Would you like to live in a dorm with other Americans or with host-country students? Would you live with a family in a homestay?
6. Money/Costs: What is included in the program fees? Are there any added expenses? How is the dollar doing in the host country? Will I be able to afford living in a particular location? Are there any scholarships? How will my federal financial aid apply to this program?
7. Program Sponsor: Who is the program sponsor? Is it a reputable institution? How long has the program existed? How many students go on it? Call the program sponsor, talk to them, and ask a ton of questions. Do you think the study abroad advisors are helpful and organized? Who issues the official transcript? Will the program sponsor meet all the policies listed below? Can I speak with students who have participated in the program (this is a great way to obtain information about a program)?
STEP 2: MEET WITH AN OIS ADVISOR INDIVIDUALLY AND CHOOSE YOUR PROGRAM
Students are alowed to participate in both short- (summer or winter) and long-term (semester or year) study abroad programs sponsored by other institutions and organizations that Goucher has approved for transfer credit. Students must have spent at least three semester in residence at Goucher (or a combination of attendance at Goucher and another higher educational institution) before participating in a non-Goucher semester or year program; students can participate in short-term programs as early as the first year.
Once you have pondered your program options, schedule an individual meeting with an OIS advisor to discuss your options and ask questions. Your OIS advisor will make sure that your slected program meets all Goucher requirements and policies, and will inform you about the petition process. You MUST meet with an OIS advisor to discuss your chosen program, and make sure that it is currently approved as a study abroad program acceptable for transfer credit. The petition process can take up to 6 weeks, so please make sure you contact OIS early enough to meet approved non-Goucher program application deadlines.
Be sure to take note of both OIS and your program sponsor deadlines. OIS requires that you meet with your academic adviser to discuss the courses you intend to take and how they will count towards your degree. It is imperative that you have support from your academic adviser.
STEP 3: PICK UP AN OIS APPROVED NON-GOUCHER PROGRAM APPLICATION
If your petition to study abroad on a non-Goucher program for the semester or longer is approved, you will be notified to pick up a non-Goucher study abroad application. You will receive a letter stating that you are not approved if your petition does not meet all necessary criteria. In addition, to participate in any study abroad program, you must be in good academic and behavioral standing. Be sure to tell your program sponsor to send your transcript to our office.
STEP 4: FOLLOW ALL IMPORTANT GOUCHER POLICIES FOR NON-GOUCHER STUDY ABROAD PROGRAMS
1. OIS DEADLINES: If you participate in a non-Goucher semester, summer, or winter study abroad program, you are required to fill out an application for OIS and meet ALL OIS deadlines, or you will not be permitted to go abroad. Keep in mind that you will also have to fill out your program sponsor’s application, mail it directly to them, and meet their deadlines. In some cases, OIS will have deadlines that take place BEFORE your program sponsor’s deadlines. You are REQUIRED to meet the OIS deadlines, or you will not be permitted to participate. Our best advice to you is TO PLAN EARLY. START THIS PROCESS AT LEAST ONE YEAR IN ADVANCE SO YOU DO NOT MISS THE APPROPRIATE OIS DEADLINE.
Goucher requires that students complete at least 3 semesters in residence at Goucher before embarking upon a semester-long study abroad program. For transfer students, the residency requirement is two semesters.
2. APPROVAL TO LEAVE GOUCHER FOR STUDY ABROAD: You do not have to apply for a Leave of Absence through the Associate Dean’s Office for participation in an approved non-goucher study abroad program. You will be considered enrolled at Goucher when participating in an approved non-Goucher program as long as the following are met:
a. your intended course of study is not available in Goucher College’s study abroad programs.
b. your program is approved by the Office of International Studies and Goucher College. In approving a program, OIS considers a number of factors. Factors include support services, safety and security, cultural immersion, and reception of an official transcript from an institution accredited in the United States or an international institution recognized by the Ministry of Education in that country. This last factor is a Goucher College policy governing transfer credit and can be found in the Academic Catalogue.
c. you have met and followed all OIS and Goucher College deadlines and policies.
**THERE ARE NO EXCEPTIONS TO THESE CONDITIONS.**
3. CREDIT POLICIES FOR STUDY ABROAD ON AN APPROVED NON-GOUCHER PROGRAM:
a. Goucher College has a Residency Requirement. Your last 12 credits must be taken at Goucher College. This means that students CANNOT participate in non-Goucher semester programs during the last semester of the senior year. You can, however, petition the Associate Dean of Academics to study abroad during your fall semester of senior year if you have an extenuating circumstance and the support of your academic adviser.
b. All classes taken abroad must be taken for a letter grade. Pass/Fail is not an option.
c. If you are studying abroad for a semester, you MUST take a minimum of 12 Goucher credits. You can never go below 12 credits and must maintain full-time student status.
d. All classes you take while abroad on any study abroad program MUST be pre-approved by your academic adviser. You will fill out a Course Approval Form as part of your OIS application in order to obtain approval for the courses you intend to take while abroad.
e. You will receive TRANSFER CREDIT for your approved coursework from your study abroad program. This means that your coursework will appear on your transcript but will NOT go into your GPA. In order to obtain Transfer Credit, you MUST earn a minimum of a C. Transfer Credit will only be accepted from regionally accredited colleges and universities or international institutions recognized by the Ministry of Education in that country. In addition, you cannot receive more than 60 transfer credits at Goucher College. Please read the Academic Catalogue for further details about Transfer Credit.
4. FINANCIAL AID AND SCHOLARSHIPS: You cannot utilize any Goucher scholarships or merit aid for a non-Goucher program. However, OIS offers study abroad scholarships for students participating in approved non-Goucher programs. You will be able to use some forms of Federal Financial Aid, if you participate in an approved non-goucher program. The only way to determine this is to MEET WITH OIS and THE FINANCIAL AID OFFICE AS EARLY AS POSSIBLE so you can meet all deadlines. In addition, while abroad, you must take at least 12 credits that count for your major, minor, or general education requirements. Electives will NOT count as part of those 12 credits.